Hey guys - here's a few more from my strangers / street photography project.
Here is a link to the previous thread if you have any questions about the project, they should be addressed here: https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1044125
Amazing set. I have been holding on getting a 135f2 for a long time since I already have a 70-200, but the trigger will be pulled really soon due to these photos.
Really nice looking street portraits I think I'd like to see a bit more backgrounds in these. Not sharp backgrounds but a bit more shape. 1 or 2 stops smaller aperture.
I've been also thinking of doing this kind of project but I haven't been able to gather enough courage to approach random people
again, these are great! makes me want to go downtown with my 135L, but I wouldn't be able to get captures like this! great job connecting with people in a short amount of time
Love the expressions, but I'd maybe go for a wider lens (perhaps a 50mm?) and a bit less blurred background to give more of a sense of the surroundings.
Thanks for all the comments guys - yes, shooting with a 5D Mark II
Regarding the bokeh - I personally love the look of it. The 135L is just pure magic.
The reason why I don't stop down isn't because of just that though.
This project is all about taking photographs of complete strangers. There's of message a warmth, kindness, and love that can be overlooked in your "everyday passing by stranger". Conveying that warmth turned into my goal with this project.
I didn't intend to make this an environmental portrait project. If it was, yes of couse, stopping down more to include where these individuals are would be important. But at F2.0, I think its evident enough that these are all done on the streets and sidewalks. I feel F2.0 gives enough environment to yield the feel of street portraiture, and anything more could of lead to distractions and draw attention away from the subjects. Some love the look, some ask for more background - can't please everyone I guess. I just did what I felt served the project the best.
Its funny that one said I must have the "nicest people" in my area. These people were all shot in the NY/NJ Metro area - an area that gets a bad rap for rudeness.
People are just people no matter where they are on earth... and if you take a moment, even if its just for 2 minutes to briefly interact with them, you'll see how, for the most part, internally beautifull people really are no matter where they are from.
This is what my project evolved into. In the begining it was just a self challange... but without me even realizing what I was doing, it turned into something bigger.
I think I'd like to see a bit more backgrounds in these. Not sharp backgrounds but a bit more shape. 1 or 2 stops smaller aperture.