dubaiphil,
I really like the way you are portraying these guys at the market.
Do you actually talk to them beforhand? They all look so relaxed, yet doing their busines like always, as it seems. Do you spend some time at each stand beforehand, or how do you work? If I may ask...
The guys at the market are mainly Pakistani, Indian and Bangladeshi. They generally understand only very basic English. As there is a Cricket 20-20 World Cup currently being played, mentioning cricket is a bit of an ice breaker.
So I'm literally just asking with a waggle of the camera and thumbs up or thumbs down to see if they would mind having their photograph taken. If no, it's just a case of smiling, saying 'thank you' and moving on. Probably around 80% are more than happy.
These guys don't have internet or know how to use it, so getting to their pictures is not an option online. However I go back from time to time to take prints to distribute. I haven't done this yet at the Fruit and Vegetable market, but I'll be doing that next week.
So all in all, from getting the thumbs up, it's generally a 30 second exercise from taking the picture and showing the results on the LCD to moving on. With the candids and more 'street' shots, I don't ask for permission and just observe and wait for the moment.
thanks Phil, I guess it is easier if you live in a country, than as a tourist, being even more remote from how people live.
Nice that you go back and distribute their pictures. Guess that makes them proud, since you are very giftet to capture those portraits in a way that shows peoples dignity in their every day life environment.
well done, keep it up!
do you work in lightroom for the BW conversions?
cyra wrote:
thanks Phil, I guess it is easier if you live in a country, than as a tourist, being even more remote from how people live.
Nice that you go back and distribute their pictures. Guess that makes them proud, since you are very giftet to capture those portraits in a way that shows peoples dignity in their every day life environment.
well done, keep it up!
do you work in lightroom for the BW conversions?
Thanks for your kind words, cyra
I'm using Lightroom, but generally use PS5 and Nik Software for my conversions...
Wow, great images here. Been a while in this thread for me as I have been having some fun with the Olympus OM-D. Nonetheless, here are a couple from this weekend with 35/1.4 and 21 Distagon
Every now and then I just get lucky when I'm on a walkabout. Today I had 3 in close succession. Due to the language barrier I can't repose anyone so I shoot 'em as I see 'em and find 'em!
I'm starting to get the hang of this 'finding the light' thing
So lightning struck 3 times this morning on a walk. 3 of my favourites of the year, environmental portrait wise. Unfortunately with the last shot here I'd have lost the moment and the light highlighting his weathered face if I'd moved him, so I had to crop by 50% in post.
And for once I like the colour versions as much as the B&W
Extraordinary portraits again, dubaiphil!
#2 my favourite: the pose, light and hints of environment.
The 35mm angle of view is perfect for these kind of portraits.
