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Waiting for the plane home I decided to take some street style shots with the Sony Nex-5 at Barcelona Airport.
Any thoughts about composition, subject, processing, etc., most welcome. I don't mind if they're harsh, as long as they are constructive
Thanks in advance, Alan.
| Camera: | Sony NEX-5 |
| Lens: | Sony 16mm |
| Recording media: | RAW (digital) |
| Title: | Barcelona Airport. |
| Username: | 
Paintman |
| Uploaded: | 1 Apr 2012 - 5:44 PM |
| Tags: | Barcelona airport, Black and white, Mono, Photo journalism, Street photography |
| VS Mode Rating |
102 (100% won) These stats show the percentage of wins and the rating score that your photo has achieved. You can go to the VS Mode by clicking on this icon. Signup to e2Signup to e2 to see which photo this has won or lost against in the vs mode |
| Votes: | Voting Disabled |
 | Critique Wanted |
| Modifications Welcome (Upload a Modification) |
 | Variant - Tests |
Comments
Liking the composition in this one with that triangle of shadow incorporating the pram pushers and even that little boys hand reinforces it. I might cut out the ceiling though - just a might but I think it's somehow stronger. Exposure looks pretty good with what must have been a shot against the light and there are a really nice range of tones in the image. So technically not so bad at all. As a photo it doesn't really 'speak' to me though personally - it's like there's no story there ... but the majority of street style shots make me feel the same way. Maybe as part of a series possibly taken from the same spot even, it could work really well. Personally in airports I just shuffle around impatiently looking at my watch and the departures board so well done making the most of the opportunity.
Thanks Paul for your comment, I appreciate you taking the time to make it. I do have some more shots taken from this position so it would be possible to create a series. I've had the same comment about my street stuff not connecting emotionally before so I really have to work on where I'm going wrong with this aspect of the genre.
Just looked at V2 before I started this, and I was about to suggest you should shoot from a lower position, and the removal of the roof gives that impression. I know you wanted to show the shadows, and lower may have shown less, but would be more "connected".
Perhaps less space at the left, more on front for the usual off centre suggestion, otherwise the exposure and mono look good.
I assume the window frames in the background might be curved, as the right side is leaning a touch.
W
ok, there are things i like about this and things that dont work so well, but the real image is still in there.
after an initial look im brought back visually to the column behind the womens heads and the bright strip of sky below the roofline.
and then i realise that what attracts me is non of that, its the little boys juxtaposition and the fabulous shadows on the floor. its often like this with street photography, the whole scene distracts from the real point of focus and i think by paring down the elements by cropping just above the boys head it tightens the composition and becomes far more Bresson in its style.
i did a mod to show what i mean, maybe you totally dissagree but id love to hear what you think.
regards
Phil
Thanks for your feedback Willie and David
I think the lens distortion may have something to do with the curved looking windows. The lower position would produce a better perspective and look to the photo.
I'll try toning the b/g down to see what happens to the rest of the shot.
Cheers, Alan.
I'll have to look at Bresson and improve my knowledge in that department as I'm only just venturing into this style of photography. I've just realized I should have moved one side or the other so the ladies and child's shadows weren't spoiled by the column's shadow, then they would be even better. You live and learn
I see what you mean about the crop in the mod. It's one I hadn't considered as it cuts the adults in half. This is one I'll have keep looking at because it means learning a different way of seeing for me. Thanks Phil
You need to take a lot of these to get all the elements in the right place!
I think the shot is ok without having to crop, but the thing that spoils it for me is the woman and child behind. I prefer these shots to be more minimal, and a single person or just the front woman and child would "clean" the image up.
You/ the camera have done well to hold as much detail as you have, shooting into the light. We are all familiar with the "dust hanging in the air" scenario in bright light, and this normally conspires to hide detail and produce a more "soot and whitewash" picture in order to keep detail, as you have to push the contrast. This pic is good because you have kept the sun out of frame, and the white floor acts as a large white reflector, pushing light into the shadows.
Nick
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