Colorado Photography of the American West

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02 February 2012

The Face of Fort Collins 1 - Steet Photography

Street photography is one of my passions that, as yet, is unfulfilled. I stand back and admire some of my mentors' inspirational work and contemplate how they get the images that I admire. I decided it was time to stop thinking and start doing. I have dabbled a bit in street photography before, but really want to learn how to catch that magic in another person's moment. So I hope you will indulge me in this exercise and give me your thoughts. What do you think of street photography? Am I on the right track?

A father and son have a stand off on a street corner in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Stand Off
A father and son have a stand off on a street corner in Fort Collins, Colorado.




Two men enjoy an impromptu afternoon of piano music in Fort Collins, Colorado.

In the Groove
Two men enjoy an impromptu afternoon of piano music in Fort Collins, Colorado.




Etsy
JulieMagersSoulen
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13 comments:

  1. i LOVE street photography too! keep at it..its so fun!

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    1. It is fun! I have some more in the can to share and hope to get back out there very soon. Thanks!

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  2. I love street photography.. The impromptu moments can show a wide range of emotions- some which we the viewer can either guess right on or let our imaginations run wild,..
    btw, did u get the ok to take these? I often wonder how many ask or how many get turned downed?
    As far as these: Dad and child look very happy as well as the guys playing their tunes.
    A friend posted a photo of the back of a woman on a bench in Central Park... The woman looked lonely.. My friend had posted that the woman was a widow and that she asked permission to take the photo... She also said the woman told her that she came to the park because it was the time she would spend w/her hubby when he was alive.
    Wish u could see it, she shot it in b&w and it was so personal.. I felt sorry even before knowing what the woman told my friend... Funny, the woman didn't feel sadness, she was looking back at the good times...

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    1. I ask about half the time for permission. Sometimes it's just better to take candid shots without people "posing." Having said that, if anyone was ever unhappy about my taking their picture I would certainly delete the photo. So far people just seemed pleased about it. The photo you have described is certainly what "street photography" is all about; catching that fleeting emotion of the moment. Is there a link to the photo? I'd love to see it. :)

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    2. Sadly, no... We were on yahoo 360 and she was a great NY photographer. Yahoo is gone and she deleted her page before Yahoo folded. B&W has always been a favorite of mine... Your minimalist photo almost looks b&w.

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    3. That's sad that I can not see the photo. I bet it was beautiful the way you described it. Yes, the minimalist snowscapes are almost black and white. I too love black and white photography and hope to do more. I have a few for sale on Etsy.

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  3. Great street captures! Someday while heading north, I will have to stop in Fort Collins!

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    1. Hi Cathy,
      Yes, look me up! It would be awesome to meet you in person.
      jms

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  4. Hi Julie,
    I like the new street photography for a change and I love seeing people captured in a perfect moment in time!
    Your images are wonderful... You must take more! ;-)
    I don't think you can always ask permission because the photo has to be taken in a spontaneous way with the person looking natural.
    Thanks for sharing your inspiring work.
    Jo.

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    1. Hi Joanne,
      Thanks for the great feedback. I agree it is hard to get a candid shot if you ask someone for permission. They instantly tack on the grin and pose. I'll be doing more from time to time. I need the practice! ;)
      jms

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  5. I like street photography a LOT. You've reminded me to browse some of the photography "coffee table" books I have. You're probably familiar with the "A Day in the Life of..." series. I have several.

    It's real "people" life. I think you should include it often.

    How to you get these shots without people noticing? From a distance? Photography classes are in my future. :)

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    1. Anita, I'm still finding my way with "street" photography. What I am discovering is that a variety of approaches work. The top photo was taken without their knowledge as I was a little distant and the sidewalk was crowded. The bottom photo was taken with their knowledge. They just chose to ignore me! ;)

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Contemporary photography of the cities, landscapes, flora and fauna of the American West.
Julie Magers Soulen Photography