LuAnn Thatcher
August 2020 - Kids and a Pig
Original
About the Image(s)
This image was taken at the Minnesota State Fair last year. I was doing a photography workshop, and our task was to photograph this pig at ground level, but we had to wait in that position until a great scene unfolded! So my shot is taken in a street photography style with details that tell a story of people, place, and thing. I was not bothered by the distractions, especially the man walking on the right side of the frame because he was completely unaware of the awesome pig! But the little boy in the stroller was climbing out to go see the pig, and the other boy was snapping his fingers with a little smiling going to check out the pig. Mom and dad were more concerned about the crazy photographer laying on the ground – hahaha!
Camera Settings: Fuji XT2, XF 16-55mm lens, ISO 200, 1/500 sec, f/8, 16mm focal length.
This round’s discussion is now closed!
11 comments posted
LuAnn
Challenging workshop assignment but you pulled it off. The thought I have is to crop out the man who is heading away from you. I think it would add to the intimacy of the nice scene you captured. Try it and see what you think, the only cost is your time.
Regards
Emil Posted: 08/03/2020 11:25:45
Challenging workshop assignment but you pulled it off. The thought I have is to crop out the man who is heading away from you. I think it would add to the intimacy of the nice scene you captured. Try it and see what you think, the only cost is your time.
Regards
Emil Posted: 08/03/2020 11:25:45
Hi Emil,
Thanks for your thoughts. I did note in the 'About the Image' section above that I intentionally left the man walking away in the frame because I thought he contributed to the story. It is interesting what captures the eye of a child was oblivious to this man. Perhaps one has to be a child to understand the attraction of a concrete pig.
What are your thoughts, Emil, for storytelling in a street photography image?
Talk soon,
LuAnn Posted: 08/03/2020 13:22:25
Thanks for your thoughts. I did note in the 'About the Image' section above that I intentionally left the man walking away in the frame because I thought he contributed to the story. It is interesting what captures the eye of a child was oblivious to this man. Perhaps one has to be a child to understand the attraction of a concrete pig.
What are your thoughts, Emil, for storytelling in a street photography image?
Talk soon,
LuAnn Posted: 08/03/2020 13:22:25
Hi LuAnn - this to me is a really unique street style image; the kind I really appreciate. I think that low camera placement with an upward perspective makes the shot, and the attention of the boys on the pig gives somewhat of a triangular composition. The viewer can pretty much tie it all together. I personally don't mind the man on the right. In fact, I would have included him in entirely as seen in the color take. In your mono image his left leg is clipped, and that bothers me worse (border patrol comment:-). Nice sharpness throughout, and if handheld, you pretty much hit it right.
Getting up ladylike must have been interesting too. NOW THAT could have been a shot! Posted: 08/06/2020 15:00:31
Getting up ladylike must have been interesting too. NOW THAT could have been a shot! Posted: 08/06/2020 15:00:31
You're cute, Gary, yes getting up nowadays can be a challenge from certain angles - hahaha!
I purposely cut the man's leg off on the right. There was noticeable light by his knee that would be a distraction, so I cropped him that way. He is not a prominent figure in the scene, but he does play a part because of his non-interest in the pig.
You will see a lot of the classic images taken by street photographers like Gary Winogrand (as an example), where he cuts people off on the edge of the frame. Sometimes it's half their face, or all you see is their elbow in the foreground. These old-style photographers saw these elements as crucial to the telling of the story of the street scene. They also contribute to the photographer's style and make him stand out from the rest.
Do you think, Gary, that this edge rule can be broken? I look forward to your discussion, my friend.
Best regards,
LuAnn Posted: 08/06/2020 15:54:21
I purposely cut the man's leg off on the right. There was noticeable light by his knee that would be a distraction, so I cropped him that way. He is not a prominent figure in the scene, but he does play a part because of his non-interest in the pig.
You will see a lot of the classic images taken by street photographers like Gary Winogrand (as an example), where he cuts people off on the edge of the frame. Sometimes it's half their face, or all you see is their elbow in the foreground. These old-style photographers saw these elements as crucial to the telling of the story of the street scene. They also contribute to the photographer's style and make him stand out from the rest.
Do you think, Gary, that this edge rule can be broken? I look forward to your discussion, my friend.
Best regards,
LuAnn Posted: 08/06/2020 15:54:21
I have seen Winogrand's work and I like his street scenes very much, and you're right, he does include partial appendages in many of his shots especially when it comes to feet and legs. Being both a street and a film photographer Winogrand's work had to be pretty spontaneous - probably one chance per negative - can't be too fussy with composition. The man on the right is obviously not your subject but he is part of what is happening. I have probably broken many, many rules in and out of the darkroom, but I personally would not even clip him on this one. In my interpretation of what I try to present in a photograph I attempt to use every bit of the image that I can - film or digital. With a digital setup I can have any number of images of the same scene as people move in and out knowing that I can crop, eliminate, clone or saturate to my heart's content afterward. It would be an interesting topic of discussion to be able to ask Winogrand what he would have preferred or if he would even use a digital camera for his work. To me its just a matter of interpretation and what the photographer/ artist wants to present.
Posted: 08/06/2020 18:00:45
Posted: 08/06/2020 18:00:45
Thanks for your reply, Gary, I always enjoy hearing your point of view.
Best regards,
LuAnn Posted: 08/07/2020 10:58:41
Best regards,
LuAnn Posted: 08/07/2020 10:58:41
(Groups 29 & 80)
Back too the street and fair images. You have come up with so many great ones. I think this is my favorite. You absolutely captured the kid sliding out of the stroller and the kid approaching having a deep interest in the pig. While the young girl and parents do not seem to care or notice. It definitely tells a story. However, it left me with the question as to what the next frame or two looked like. You did have your finger on the shutter release capturing a series didn't you? Does one of them hug or touch the pig. Images like this often would act as fillers in the local paper and maybe enough room for several images. I Luv the idea of the very low shooting angle and you were prepared to have everything sharp. Well done. Posted: 08/06/2020 15:03:13
Thank you very much for your comments, Bob! I will have to go back to what if I captured any additional frames, a good idea.
LuAnn Posted: 08/06/2020 15:56:08
LuAnn Posted: 08/06/2020 15:56:08
LuAnn, great story behind the image, and the little boy's curiosity is pretty clear. Very fun. I'm not bothered by the man's leg, didn't even notice, to be frank, my attention was on the pig and the action around it. great example of street photography and the low angle really makes it. Posted: 08/08/2020 17:15:30
LuAnn, great story behind the image, and the little boy's curiosity is pretty clear. Very fun. I'm not bothered by the man's leg, didn't even notice, to be frank, my attention was on the pig and the action around it. great example of street photography and the low angle really makes it. Posted: 08/08/2020 17:15:31
LuAnn, so much has already been said about your image and I find that I agree with virtually all of it... even those with conflicting opinions. lol
To me, a primary goal of street photography is to capture an environment in an especially interesting way. That an be the expression on someone's fact, an intriguing scene with no people present, or a child trying to slide out of his stroller.
You have clearly achieved an outstanding street photograph. The bright pig is extremely prominent in your image, but the boy in the stroller is the subject.... and they link together perfectly.
Well done!
Posted: 08/13/2020 18:51:36
To me, a primary goal of street photography is to capture an environment in an especially interesting way. That an be the expression on someone's fact, an intriguing scene with no people present, or a child trying to slide out of his stroller.
You have clearly achieved an outstanding street photograph. The bright pig is extremely prominent in your image, but the boy in the stroller is the subject.... and they link together perfectly.
Well done!
Posted: 08/13/2020 18:51:36