Re: PESO: Great Expectations

[Daniel J. Matyola]

I liked the picture, and thought it an interesting slice of life. 

BTW, what is a "Scoop Dispenser"?

Paul Stenquist wrote:
Thanks Cotty. And thanks to all who responded to this thread, both 
negative and positive.
I frequently shoot with wide lenses on the street. In fact, the 16-45 
is my most common choice, followed closely by the 35/2. I do like to 
use a long lens from time to time. It is an effective way of catching 
subjects unaware, and it allows for blurring of the background. I also 
like to limit the scope of the background in some cases -- another 
area where the long lens shines. I think the predisposition to short 
lenses in street photography may be due to the fact that anything 
longer than a 50 is a hassle on a Leica, and anything longer than a 
135 is major trouble.
Paul
On Aug 8, 2005, at 4:44 AM, Cotty wrote:

On 7/8/05, Paul Stenquist, discombobulated, unleashed:

The subjects here were unaware of my camera, but making myself known
would have spoiled the moment. Note what appears to be slight
embarrassment on the face of the girl on the left. Shot with the DA
50-200, f9 @ 1/180, ISO 200. Moderate crop to frame.
http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=3613307&size=lg


Hi Paul,

This might make me a bit unpopular, but I certainly don't hate it. It
catches an interesting moment, and although there are some distracting
elements like the back end of the car and the plant behind a head, I
certainly don't find it offensive or insensitive. (BTW I wouldn't have
said that was a look of embarrassment on the woman on the left. I think
she's comfortable enough). Yeah, nice catch.

My approach to street photography does not involve long lenses. I prefer
to use a wider lens and get closer. This doesn't mean I wave a camera in
my subject's faces - sometimes I do, and they don't notice, or sometimes
I shoot from the hip, composing with a remote eye. I think longer lenses
have their place on the street, but I find that I am eyed with greater
suspicion when using a longer lens on the street. In fact, with a wide-
angle, subjects often don't realise they're in the frame when I'm
shooting - can be an advantage. Sorry, rambling.

Photography evokes emotion. Some pics make us feel uncomfortable, some
don't. My pornography might be your erotic image. My medical studies
might be your gruesome crash pics. People react in a multitude of 
ways to
the same image.

Look at comedians. There are some extremely popular comics about, but
when I have a look to see what all the fuss is about, I wonder how 
anyone
could find such banal chit-chat populated with vulgar profanity the
slightest bit amusing. Yet, my sense of humour includes subject matter
that I would suspect many people on this list would find revolting.

As my wife often reminds me, if we were all the same it would be a 
boring
place :-)






Cheers,
  Cotty


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Daniel J. Matyola
Stanley, Powers & Matyola
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