street photography
Goodbye 2020
Like for Progress
Like for Progress.
We can get bogged down with the constant barrage of images that we see online.
Instagram is a prime candidate for this. The more we look, the more we can become caught in the snowstorm of images.
We can look at the number of likes and see this as a success factor that has a knock-on effect on our progress. Our progress should not be graded on the number of likes we receive because that will always negatively affect us.
It was a conversation with a fellow photographer and a good friend who got me thinking about how we look at progress.
He was telling me about an image that he had taken and the thinking behind it. He explained the process and the way the composition came together. And to be fair, it is a decent enough image. The colour is spot on, the depth of the image is good, the technical aspects are all correct.
All in all, this is a successful image and one that he should and was proud of, but he based the success of that image on the number of likes he received. Reread it. He based the image's success not on the technical aspects of the fact that he had taken a decent photograph but also on the wider audience's engagement.
Social media is a game, and we are all being played off each other. Thankfully, I stepped out from that arena a long time ago.
Keep the Faith
KV
Northen Quarter , Manchester FujiFilm X100F
Somethings never change.
With the lockdown restrictions beginning to ease, the homeless and the unfortunate are steadily returning to the city streets.
As a rule, I never photograph the homeless as they do not choose to be on the streets.
There was something about this scene that made me press the shutter button.
I could see some emotional upset and comforted each other; they are lost in that moment so much, so they do not even see me with the camera.
We will never know what was going on. It could be one of a hundred things.
Maybe it is the prospect of a night on the street or the realisation that they have no money for the simple things we take for granted like food and a warm bed. We will never know the truth.
This pandemic has changed the way we live our lives, but some things it seems will never change.
Lockdown Reflection
As we slowly grind our way out of this never-ending lockdown, I have done a little bit of reflection on the past few months and tried to make sense of it all.
In the beginning, we witnessed the selfish and the self-centred of this world clear the supermarket shelves with no regard or thought for anyone except themselves. Greed was king as they believed this was the start of the apocalypse—shameful behaviour by people who should know better.
Early on, I decided to turn the news off and delete certain apps as my brain was melting with the constant bombardment of fear-driven information.
The Government failed to get a grip of the situation, which left many of us in limbo, and once the lockdown kicked in, it was too little too late. Granted, they have tried to keep business afloat with bucket loads of cash, but it will all need to pay back the taxpayer.
There have been some positives, especially our overdue appreciation towards the NHS and the overworked, underpaid key workers.
We have seen some beautiful acts of kindness from all walks of life, which have restored some of my faith in humanity.
Away from photography, my real job is Telecommunications, so I was classed as a key worker.
My colleagues and I had the task of “Keeping the UK Connected”,, and I am proud of what we achieved in these difficult times.
Its been a time for gratitude and being thankful for what I have.
There have been some tricky days, but we have come through this together and made our little unit a bit stronger as a family.
Photography wise I have used these strange days to start writing this blog which has given me some escape from the ongoing situation. I am fully aware that my writing skills are not that of Oscar Wilde or Shakespeare, but I have done this for me and my sanity, but if just one person gets something from what I have written, that will be a bonus.
Over these past months, I have delved deep into my back catalogue, and it has been pleasing to see some growth with my work. Progress, not perfection, is always key.
It will be a pleasure to see the streets of Manchester bustle with activity again as the one thing that I have missed is life itself.
Time to give 2020 a jump start.
Keep the Faith.
KV
CASTLEFIELDS MANCHESTER FUJIFILM X100F ACROS RED
Print your Work.
It amazes me how many photographers do not print their work.
We spend hours perfecting our images for it to be uploaded on social media to be viewed for 5 seconds on a little screen!! The connection between us and the image is still not complete as we only see the digital copy. It is like downloading music. Yes, you have it, but you do not own it unless you are holding the CD or Vinyl in your hand.
Once we print our work, it then becomes a physical thing which in turn becomes more personal. We are then connected to our own work.
Now, I am not talking about printing huge gallery prints in gold frames, but small A4 prints or 6x4 ones; it does not really matter; at least we have that image in our hands.
This is a documentation of YOUR work which will be around a lot longer than storing them on a phone or a laptop. Basically, we are hiding them away in our little flies or uploading them into this imaginary cloud, and who knows what will happen to all that in the future.
We take the image, then edit the image we then present it to our audience, and the final stage of that image should be the printing of your work.
An online portfolio is good, but a portfolio than you can actually hold and see is priceless.
Keep the Faith
KV
Some of my recent prints.
Colour v Mono
The colour v black & white debate is something that I had a good few years ago and I decide that colour was the way forward for me.
This was partially due to my purchase of the X100T. Once I set the camera to classic chrome and looked through the viewfinder it was like a switch going off in my head and I was sold, hook line, and sinker.
Black and white still have its place especially with my commissioned work like weddings and portraits but with street photography is was going to be colour. For me, it is the difficulty of the two as there is a lot more thinking required, as all the elements need to be spot on for colour to work on the street.
I am not disregarding BNW but there is always the temptation to cover up the faults of the image by clicking that black and white button in Lightroom. And I think we can all agree that you cannot polish a turd by switching it to BNW and pumping up the clarity.
This is not me saying all BNW street work is shit because that would not be right as there are some superb street photographers out there who are producing some beautiful images in black and white.
And this is the point that we go full circle. I recently acquired the Fuji Film X100F and I am in love with the Acros film simulation settings especially the Red & Yellow filters. It was like a déjà vu moment when I looked through the viewfinder and I was seeing this beautiful grainy BNW image.
It is just small steps back into the world of BNW, but I am enjoying the process, so much so that I have opened another Instagram account for my BNW work.
Have I missed working in black & white? Yes and no but if I can have a slice of both worlds than I am happy with that. At the end of the day it is all about doing the things that make you happy.
New Instagram Page - https://www.instagram.com/kv_mono/
Keep the Faith
KV
MANCHESTER - X100F ACROS+RED
Marinade Your Work.
First thing first, I am not talking about smearing your camera or laptop with BBQ sauce.
How many times have you been out on a street walk, and you think you have a couple of keepers in the bank and then rush home, get the SD card out, turn on the laptop find your keepers, give them a quick edit and upload them on to social media? From the street to social media in a matter of hours!
In my early days, I thought this behaviour was normal until I started to see the work that I was posting was not that good, or my image choice was not the correct one. At first, I put this down to experience, but then I realised that I was still emotionally attached to the image.
Over time, I have learned to step back from that day’s work and put it on the back burner and let them “marinate” doing this has helped me critique my own work without the emotion and excitement of that day.
Having this system has allowed me to build up a steady back catalogue of work.
Ask yourself, why are you uploading your work that quick? It could be one of a hundred things, but I have a sneaky feeling that you want that added gratification of not only taking a fine picture but the rewards of likes on social media.
Slow down, and the true rewards will come.
Keep the Faith
KV
MANCHESTER - 20TH JANUARY 2017 - X100T
Under the Influence #2
Alex Webb.
Magnum Photographer Alex Webb is best known for his complex and vibrant street photographs from Latin America, Europe, and Africa.
It was in 1979 that he made the transition from black and white to colour and the rest you can say is history.
When I was taking my first steps into the world of colour street photography his image from Tehuantepac, Mexico taken in 1985 was the one that fired my imagination.
If you are not familiar with the photograph, then I will describe it the best way I can and hopefully, you will find it on your next search for inspiration.
There are blue and white stripes on the building and monument which match the children’s clothing. At the forefront, there is a boy spinning a ball that looks like a globe of the world. Within the frame, there are 7 subjects and each one is serving a purpose not only are they bringing balance, but they are moving the viewer’s eye forwards then backward. But the most remarkable thing about the whole composition is the basketball going through the hoop at the top left of the image.
What can we learn from Alex Webb?
For me, its to try and look a little bit deeper, be patient, and trust your instincts.
I will never get to Alex Webb’s level, but I use his style of photography as a guideline for what is possible. And in street photography anything is possible.
Recommended Books – The Suffering of Light is a must for anybody’s collection.
"I only know how to approach a place by walking. For what does a street photographer do but walk and watch and wait and talk, and then watch and wait some more, trying to remain confident that the unexpected, the unknown, or the secret heart of the known awaits just around the corner" - Alex Webb
Keep the Faith
KV
Fujifilm Love Affair
I purchased the Fujifilm X100T about 5 years ago, and it was a game-changer for me.
The film simulation Classic Chrome opened a whole new way of seeing, and it was then that I decided to work more in colour.
My street settings for CC are quite simple.
Highlights -1 Shadows + 2 Colour +2
White Balance, DR, ISO all on Auto as I want the camera to do the donkey work.
Why the T? This is such a versatile little camera, and I have taken it to the limits, and it has never let me down. Even in trying conditions, the T keeps going.
I have shot a full wedding with it; my bare fist boxing was all done in jpeg, and probably 90% of my street work has been done with this camera. I have hardly ever used RAW, and that is because the jpegs give me everything I need.
But my love affair with the T is nearly over as I recently acquired the X100F, and this is a thing of beauty. It has renewed my interest in Black and White with the beautiful Acros film simulations.
It is just like the T but with steroids. ISO is better, the focus is sharp and quick, and it looks and feels good.
I also own the Xpro1 with the 35mm 1.4, again a superb camera that can be temperamental at times, but this camera can produce some beautiful images when it is on it.
Everyone is different, but I like to keep my set up nice and simple I do not chase after the next big thing in the hope it will make me better photographer as its practise that makes you better.
When things are not going right, always remember it is not the camera's fault. It is the idiot holding the camera.
Keep the Faith
KV
X100T Classic Chrome
Can't buy me Likes
The hunt for likes and acceptance on social media is something that churns my stomach.
My favourite one at the moment is getting a new follower and seeing how long it takes for them to unfollow me!! Honestly, people could be spending their well-earned money on something more satisfying than buying likes and followers.
Do not be fooled into thinking that if you pay to get more Likes and followers, it will make you a better photographer because you are only fooling one person, and that is you.
Social media is a necessary evil. Treat your work as something personal to you. Do not get wrapped up in the daily bullshit of people-pleasing. Be you and the artist you want to be.
Better to grow it organically than to have it controlled by a robot.
Keep the Faith
KV
First Words
So here goes on my first post.
I will be mainly writing about photography, especially street photography, but I will also chuck in a few life experiences.
If it’s gear reviews you want or a how-to-do guide, then you are in the wrong place.
I will be mentioning what cameras I use and probably why I do use them. Still, this section of the website will about me sharing my photography experience, what inspires me, who inspires me, and the things that motivate me to do photography.
I won’t win any prizes for my writing skills, but you might enjoy what I have to say if you can look beyond that. It is not perfection; I am looking for just a little bit of progress.
Feel free to leave a comment but don’t bother leaving anything negative, and if anyone starts being a dick, they will be blocked, and I will probably name and shame you on social media.
Keep the Faith
KV