Showing posts with label Street Photography. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Street Photography. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 14, 2021

Big City Stories

Street Photography


Everyone has a story in the big city. Everyone has a dream.


a photo of a man in a mask on a scooter in new york city
Street Scene With Scooter - New York (2021)





a photo of people outside of a new york city department store in the summer
Shopping Day






a photo of park avenue new york city
Both Sides Now - Park Avenue





a photo of a man walking past a wall with geometric patterns in new york city
Untitled - New York (2021)





a photo of a brass band in new york city
Strike Up The Band - New York (2021)





a photo of people and a man walking a dog crossing the street in new york city
Getting Across - New York (2021)






Camera:    
Sony a7R IV
Lenses:     Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM
                Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS


Wishing you great light and meaningful moments!

Copyright © 2021 Daniel R. South
www.dansouthphoto.com
All Rights Reserved




Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Church Street Surplus

American Graffiti


One of the most creative and patriotic storefront gates that I have ever seen.



a photo of a surplus store in the tribeca chinatown area of new york city
Church Street Surplus - New York (2019)




Camera:    Sony a7R III
Lens:        Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS


Wishing you great light and meaningful moments!

Copyright 2019 Daniel R. South
All Rights Reserved


Saturday, June 30, 2018

Red-Haired Man Walking White Dog

A Relaxing Evening Stroll

Fun with Fido



a photo of a Red-Haired Man Walking a White Dog by Daniel South Photographer
Enjoying an evening stroll...





a photo of a Red-Haired Man Walking White Dog by Daniel South
...with man's best friend



Camera:    Sony a7R II
Lens:        Sony FE 35mm f/1.8

Wishing you great light and meaningful moments!

Copyright 2018 Daniel R. South
All Rights Reserved


Sunday, May 7, 2017

Bright Red Scooter

In Living Color

Vivid colors are so much fun! Sometimes, the colors are more interesting than the subject.


a photo of a bright red scooter in new york
Bright Red Scooter



If this fellow had been riding a gray or black scooter, would the photo be as much fun? 



Camera:    Nikon D810
Lens:        Nikon AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.8G ED

Wishing you great light and meaningful moments!

Copyright 2017 Daniel R. South
All Rights Reserved



Tuesday, January 10, 2017

A Basket Of Flowers

Riding In Style

I spotted this beautifully decorated bicycle on a walk one day and couldn't resist snapping a quick photo.


a photo of a bicycle with a basket full of flowers new york city street
A Basket Of Flowers - New York City


Camera:    Nikon D810
Lens:        Nikon AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.8G ED

Wishing you great light and meaningful moments!

Copyright 2017 Daniel R. South
All Rights Reserved


Thursday, April 30, 2015

Mermaid Dress

Making A Statement


Wow! What an outfit! 

It must have been difficult to walk in that fancy dress.



a photo of a lady in a mermaid dress in new york city
Mermaid Dress




I like the expressions on the faces of the people crossing the street.

Do you suppose that this lady realized that her dress would be dirty by the time that she arrived at the event?

Perhaps no one will notice. They'll all be hypnotized by the headpiece.


Camera:    Nikon D800E
Lens:        Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II



Wishing you great light and meaningful moments!

Copyright 2015 Daniel R. South
All Rights Reserved




Sunday, August 31, 2014

Jazz Guitarist

Concerto Impromptu

I heard the sound before I saw him, the delicate chords of a jazz guitar ringing out with warmth and clarity, strummed with the precise touch of a gifted player. A player like Robert Conton.

As I rounded the corner I found him playing for a dozen or so onlookers. The guitar was new, purchased minutes before from a music store down the street, but she came alive in Robert's hands as though they had been together for years.

I asked if it would be okay if I took a few photos. Robert nodded and grinned warmly.



a candid photo of a jazz guitarist playing on the street in new york
Jazz Guitarist Robert Conton in New York



I took about six shots. I didn't want to go crazy and have the click of the shutter disturb the music. I put the camera away and just listened for a while.

The music was beautiful! The tone of Robert's guitar is so rich and full. Complex chords and dreamy melodies flowed effortlessly from his gifted hands. 

There is nothing like music, good music, produced before your eyes and ears by the hands of a musician of the highest caliber. It's like the moment when a woman falls into your arms and gives you her heart. And you want that moment to last forever.



Camera:
 Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Lens: Canon 24-105 f/4L IS


Wishing you great light and meaningful moments!

Copyright 2014 Daniel R. South
All Rights Reserved


Monday, April 7, 2014

Morning Ride

Take Off

Sometimes all you need is a fast bike and an extra helmet.



a photo of a colorful motorcycle and rider in new york city
Morning Ride - Daniel South Photography



Camera:  Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Lens:      Canon EF 70-200 f/4L IS


Wishing you great light and meaningful moments!

Copyright © 2014 Daniel R. South
All Rights Reserved

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Pretzel Girls

Capturing The Moment

As a rule, I avoid photographing children whose families I don't know. Society has become hyper-sensitive to any activity that could be construed as child exploitation. And for good reason.

Having a cute-kid-holding-a-lollipop photo in my portfolio isn't worth the hassle if the parents get the wrong idea. In most cases, I see the kid, but I just keep walking. There are plenty of other subjects.

Children doing something interesting in a group, however, is generally a safe exception. I think of it more as shooting the activity than photographing any particular person. I don't care who is doing the activity; it's the activity itself that's interesting.

When I noticed this group of young ladies eating soft pretzels on the steps of Federal Hall on Wall Street, I made a quick decision to grab the shot. The camera was on and hanging from my neck, so all I really needed to do was positioning myself, frame, focus, and shoot. It all happened in three to four seconds.



a photo of a group of young girls snacking on pretzels in new york city
Pretzel Girls - New York



The lady on the right moved into the frame just as I was getting ready to shoot, but I managed to capture the photo of the kids before she impeded the shot further.

This is one of my favorite "people in the street" shots. It's colorful, fun, relaxed, and relatively unique. It's not often that I see six nicely dressed children eating pretzels together. I'm very happy that I decided to take the shot in the fleeting moment when it was available.

'Pretzel Girls' was part of 2012's 'Summer in New York' photo exhibition.



Camera:
 Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Lens: Canon 24-105 f/4L IS

Wishing you great light and meaningful moments!

Copyright © 2013 Daniel R. South
All Rights Reserved

Friday, April 26, 2013

The Painted Piano

On Rating One's Own Work

Part of the lure of photography is the surprise factor. Sometimes things work out better than we might expect and sometimes less so.

I spend time each week reviewing, rating, and categorizing my photos. I want to understand what differentiates an outstanding or exceptional image from one that is merely competent. I figure that the more I know about what makes a meaningful image, the higher the probability of capturing more of them in the future.

I came up with the following rating scheme to help identify my best photos, the good ones, the not-so-good ones, and the inevitable turkeys.


No Stars - A flawed or otherwise unimpressive photo. I might keep it in my files for historical purposes only, but I wouldn't show it to my friends.

1 Star (*) - A well-executed photo without discernible flaws, but one that I need to spend time reviewing before deciding whether to publish it. I may have a better version of the photo, but I'm keeping this one as an alternative.

2 Stars (**) - A strong image with definite impact, an image that I would be proud to print or display on my website. This is the level where people start to say "Wow!" when they first see the image.

3 Stars (***) - An outstanding photograph with all of the qualities of a two-star image plus a uniquely impressive or interesting quality that makes it stand out in a collection.

4 Stars (****) - All of the qualities of a three-star image, but with some rare or remarkable quality. For people, it might be that one shot with the perfect expression or a spontaneous gesture that increases the impact of the image.

5 Stars (*****) - A rare gem. An image that captures a very special moment or situation and depicts it splendidly. A photograph that could not be improved in terms of impact.



a photo of a man playing a brightly colored piano in new york city
The Painted Piano



The Painted Piano qualifies as a five-star photo on my scale. It represents a unique and precious moment. I don't see painted pianos on the street every day.  In fact, it happened only this one time. I could walk the streets of the city for the next twenty years and never see anything like this again.

The gentleman playing the piano while wearing his New York Yankees hat and T-shirt had a wonderful expression, his eyes looking off into infinity. The colored paint on the piano adds to the uniqueness of the image, and the light was supportive and had just the right amount of contrast.

This wasn't a technically perfect capture. I had to crop out a pedestrian and a garbage can. (That can happen when you work fast.) Luckily, there was enough frame left over to yield a moving and memorable image.

I'm glad that I decided to take a walk that day. I'm glad that I decided to carry my camera with me. I'm glad that I stopped by to take a picture of the man playing his painted piano.

I'll treasure this image forever. It's one of those nice surprises that exemplify the joy and magic of photography.




Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Lens: Canon 24-105 f/4L IS


Wishing you great light and meaningful moments!

Copyright 2013 Daniel R. South
All Rights Reserved

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Hot Socks in Times Square

After A Fashion

When your outfit makes a statement, don't be surprised if a photographer is there to immortalize the moment.



a photo of three young women in brightly colored socks in new york city
Hot Socks New Times Square



Have fun out there, and be sure to check both ways before you cross the street!



Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark III

Lens: Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM


Wishing you great light and meaningful moments!

Copyright 2013 Daniel R. South
All Rights Reserved