Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow.
— Anthony J. D’Angelo
I do have a passion for learning, but, I have found out that, having passion for learning doesn’t make learning easier. 😉
Photo #1, the photo above — I wanted to take a photo and she happened to be there.
That day I was sitting on a tour bus in Vienna. I thought to myself, “I haven’t taken any street photo in this trip yet. I should at least take one.” So, while the bus was making a left turn, I lifted my camera and shot this photo.
The photo has a lot of noise in it – it was a cloudy day. Usually I would trash this kind of photos, but since I really like this woman’s face expression and how she walked (and how the other people were blurred), I decided to keep it.
Since I was sitting on a moving bus, the panning camera technique was accidentally used.
Photo #2 – it took me some effort to find her, and I am glad I did.
There were a lot of people shopping at Budspest Central Market Hall that day. If I just wanted a picture, any picture, I could get it done within seconds, but, somehow, I wasn’t in a mood of taking any picture. I wanted a photo of a special person, and I had no idea how this special person would look like.
How about that butcher? No, not quite. The sausage man? I don’t think so.
I walked around with a camera in my hand, wondering since when taking a street photo had become so difficult. It used to be as long as I could build up the courage and took a photo of a person, I would be happy. And now after walking for an hour, I was still looking for the subject.
Finally, I spotted her 10 minutes before we were supposed to leave. In my mind, I gave her a big hug and thanked her.
Photo #3 – it was all about the light.
One evening, driving on a country road looking for a photo opportunity, my husband and I saw a big old building. The soft evening light coated the building with a thin layer of gold and it looked beautiful.
“The light is bad,” my husband said.
Huh? I didn’t get it, but decided not to ask.
When we reached to the side of the building, he said, “Now it looks much better. You can see shadows and it looks more 3 dimensional.”
* * *
My neighbor invited us to his uncle’s farm for their Mother’s Day picnic. His uncle was very nice. He showed us their barn and all his tractors. Of course, we were busy taking photos. Actually, my husband was busy taking photos; I took some.
When we were done, my husband was the first one walking out of the barn, Uncle Lyle was following my husband, and I was behind Uncle Lyle. Right before Uncle Lyle stepping out, I saw the “good” light.
“Wait! Would you please stay here for one more minute?”
And I got the photo I wanted. 😉
Thanks for visiting my blog.
Very nice Helen! If I could I would take more photos of people.. One day recently it was a very rainy day.. We had eaten lunch at one of our favorite places. When we walked out the cutest young lady was walking towards us. She had on black and white rain boots(maybe polka dots) and I think black umbrella and she was very put together in her manner of dress. I very much wanted to ask if I could take a picture of her…
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Roberta. Trust me, I have had many of those experiences. 😉 Sometime I couldn’t get my camera ready fast enough; sometime I didn’t have the setting right; sometime I didn’t have enough time to overcome my shyness… In the beginning, it bothered me so much that I would think of that didn’t-take-photo the whole day. But it happened so often, so I finally learned to accept that taking photos with my eyes is okay too 😉
Have a wonderful day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can totally relate.. What is funny is that I need glasses to read and see up close but don’t wear them when I take a picture and sometimes it’s obvious that I am not seeing clearly but then there are ones and we can look back at and say.. oh my!
LikeLiked by 2 people
LOL…
LikeLike
Beautiful street photography all round, Helen. Each one of them is so unique, yet I feel that with each one there is a theme of moving, time and wandering among them. Nice to hear Uncle Lyle stop for a moment for your camera. He looks like a natural in front of your lens, and you framed the shot very well 🙂 LIke you, I am very shy about asking people to pose for my photos. Not that because the shot might turn out fake, but because I don’t want to offend them – some people just don’t like their photo to be taken.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Mabel. You read my mind. These are photos of our lives. Each stage is a little different. The woman on the second photo is slowly moving out of the frame. ;-( Uncle Lyle had sold most of his farm, but he still keeps his tractors. Now I think of it, I should start with some kids’ photo 😉
I don’t take picture of anyone who doesn’t want his or her photo to be taken. But you know something… the sad thing for me is that some people say they don’t want their photo to be taken, but they really do. I could sense their disappointment (because their photos were not taken), but there was so little I could do.
Have a wonderful day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awww. That is sad to hear. I suppose some people are just shy in saying they want their photo taken. Or shy to pose and maybe they didn’t want to trouble you 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love your street photos, they show the human side of people. By the way, I know the feeling of walking around and around and not deciding which person you want to capture. Finally you took a beautiful picture, but more often than not I come home somewhat dissatisfied. Or, another possibility, I see on the screen something that adds value to the photo that I did not see when I took it (and should have, of course).
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Marga. I laughed when I read your comment. I know exactly what you were talking about. 😉 There were times that if I could manage to stand in front of myself, I would slap my own face… I am hoping if I keep practicing, I will reduce those chances. Ha.
Have a wonderful day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent job! I’m lucky if a take a shot that isn’t blurry and out of focus!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, GP. Let me be honest, I have taken a lot of blurry photos, and I still do. I have changed the way I’m holding my camera several times; I have changed the location of the shutter release button twice… My conclusion is if I take enough photos, a couple of them would turn out okay. Ha.
Have a great day.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’ll try that strategy!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Helen, these are all wonderful, but that first photo….! I always try to take a photo like that, and if I do, it is strictly by accident. You are a great portrait artist. You capture the soul of people.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Lois. I have been thinking of you since last Monday…
I was quite surprise when I saw how the first photo had turned out. It is definitely “by accident”. Ha. But I did read an article recently (forgot which one), and it says if you use a longer shutter speed, and ask your model to stand still in a moving crowd, you will see the same result — people are blurry, but your model is clear. I haven’t had a chance to try it yet.
Have a great day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful portraits. The last one is strikingly posed but my eye is more drawn to the others. The ladies have such similar (slightly world-weary) expressions.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Anabel. You were right about the “world-weary” part. I thought there were something similar, but I had a hard time to find the word to describe it. THANKS!
The last photo,..he was a farmer all his life, but he had sold most of his farmland. I guess I was trying to tell a story on aging.
Have a great day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like your ladies. 🙂 Yes, as Anabel says, a little careworn. Real life!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Jo. Careworn — I like that word! It’s a new word for me. Thank you!
For some reason, I have this suspicion that you and Anabel are twins… 😉
Have a great day.
LikeLike
Well we do have NE England roots in common!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Got it 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’d better warn her! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
😉
LikeLike
I always love your street shots, Helen. It really is not as easy as it looks. You captured so well of the light and the facial express of the last image.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience, Helen! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Amy. After taking the last photo, I have more confidence now 😉 It is very interesting how those ah-ha moments come.
Good night.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Each capture has a strong narrative. Nicely done.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Sally. It took me a while to realize what kind of photos I like to take. It should be easier than this 😉
Have a great day.
LikeLike
I admire your photos. They’ve got spirit and warmth from you! Thank you for sharing them. They make my evening peaceful and joyful. ^^
LikeLiked by 1 person
謝謝你, 欣蓉. 突然比較有信心了. 😉
Have a great day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear, you are very welcome. They are truly wonderful works! I am moved by their subtle facial expression. Enjoy your talent! It brings joy to people’s life as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! Thank you!. Thank you! A big smile on my face…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Loved this introspection on people photographs, Helen. Each one is lovely, but Uncle Lyle with the light, in his barn, the pick-up and the cobweb, that one is a work of art.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good morning, Jet. Thank you for your comment. This is the first year that, sometime, I think I know what I am doing. It’s a good feeling. All the encouragements I have received help a lot. I am grateful to many bloggers I have met here. 😉
By the way, I plan to give your novel to my daughter, who lives in Oakland, as a Christmas gift, Is there any way we can get an autographed copy? 😉
Have a great day.
LikeLike
This is a wonderful request, Helen, and I am happy to autograph it. Please email me, type “autograph request” in the subject line: JetEliot@aol.com. I have a few options to offer.
LikeLike
Helen the three photos are all so different and I love each of them. I can’t believe how crisp and clear the first woman is since you took it on a moving bus. The bokeh effect in the background is fabulous and really shows the action. I wonder how many stories the woman in the second photo could tell us. Lastly the light on the face of Uncle Lyle is truly perfect indeed. Each photo stirred memories and brought emotion. Beautifully done!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good morning, Sue. Thank you for your kind comment. To be honest, I was surprised how the first photo turned out too. 😉
I kept a copy of your newest post. I want to read it a couple more times and, maybe, do some shopping 😉 That is a GREAT post, Sue.
Have a great day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is so kind of you Helen. I am glad you found the post helpful and that you find just the right items to make your travel easier. You have a great day too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely images, Helen. It’s always fun to learn how photographers think when they take certain photos. Of these three the first one is my favourite, for exactly the reasons you point out; the character of the lady and the blurry background.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Otto. Your comment means a lot to me.
The moment I saw the first photo on my PC, I immediately thought of a comment you had made before (it was a comment for someone else), and I said to myself, “Ah, now I really know what Otto was talking about.” 😉
I am still in a questing mode. Everyday I know a little more about myself as a photographer and that makes life very interesting..
Thanks again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
All of your pics are wonderful and inspired but I like the first one the best exactly because it was such a lucky shot 😄
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your kind comment, Miss Gentileschi. The more I learn, the more I like photographing — which is good, I think. Ha,
Have a wonderful day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That IS good! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great pictures.. first one really captures the emotion and the mood overall… Last one perfect play of lights and shadows! Great clicks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Raj. Your comment give me confidence! I appreciate it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The first photo, the accidentally taken one, is special. Thanks to the blurred background, the lady’s facial impression really stands out. Well done, Helen.
LikeLike