Martin Newland, QPSA
March 2025 - The Busker
Original
About the Image(s)
While on a photo walk through the city, I came across this fellow sitting in an arcade playing his guitar. I dropped a couple of "gold coins" (probably an Australian colloquialism) into his guitar case and with his blessing proceeded to take his photo using the artificial lighting from the arcade.
I particularly like this image as it reminds me of an old photo of Woody Guthrie, who remains one of my folk music heroes.
Post Production: Converted it to monochrome using Photoshop, cropped and darkened the background.
Canon EOS R5: 1/160 F/8 ISO 12800
Canon RF 24 -105 F4L @ 53mm
9 comments posted
(Group 40)
An interesting image that looks great in monochrome. Have you considered removing the post at the top of his head and the light coloured 'thing' by his arm in the bottom right? This, obviously, would remove it from the true street photography genre. His eyes follow me around the room. Posted: 02/28/2025 21:36:05
Thanks for your suggestions, Julie. You are right, as this image is presented here, it may qualify under some definitions as "street photography." It may also be regarded as a portrait that happened to taken in a street or public place, and hence not true "street Photography."
I think I will probably just darken the background (as you indirectly suggested) and use it as a portrait.
My current thinking has recently been swayed by the definition of Street Photography currently used in the 13th JPS International Salon 2025 [FIAP (2025/134) and PSA (2025-1810)]. Page 9 of the rules:- https://jpsjodhpur.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/64/2025/02/JPS-Jodhpur-International-Salon-2025-Final-1.pdf
Posted: 03/01/2025 04:07:41
I think I will probably just darken the background (as you indirectly suggested) and use it as a portrait.
My current thinking has recently been swayed by the definition of Street Photography currently used in the 13th JPS International Salon 2025 [FIAP (2025/134) and PSA (2025-1810)]. Page 9 of the rules:- https://jpsjodhpur.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/64/2025/02/JPS-Jodhpur-International-Salon-2025-Final-1.pdf
Posted: 03/01/2025 04:07:41
It looks more like a portrait photo, if it were a street photography work , it should have more matching scenes. Posted: 03/03/2025 10:11:57
Thanks Julie. I have made a few changes Posted: 03/01/2025 17:30:22
Convert color to monochrome, darken the background, simplified the originally cluttered background, and add appropriate cropping to make the busker more prominent, turning an ordinary photo into an outstanding work. Praise! Posted: 03/03/2025 10:01:10
Another wonderful example of your love of street portraiture. The conversion to BW is masterful, along with the background darkening to remove "clutter" that detracts from the image.
I can see the resemblance to Woodie Guthrie.
Well done. Posted: 03/04/2025 21:50:20
I can see the resemblance to Woodie Guthrie.
Well done. Posted: 03/04/2025 21:50:20
He could be about to sing "This Land is My Land"! Interesting to me since there is a town near here called after Woody Guthrie who was born not far from here. Thanks for the great lesson in relating to the subject before capture and in converting to mono. Posted: 03/05/2025 13:24:38
Martin, your eliminating the distracting background was done very well. If I had seen the possibility of that shot, I would have walked away thinking it wouldn't look natural. Good job there. The man is a great model, and the intensity of his eyes are looking right at ME. Changing him to monochrome puts him into another era. Posted: 03/08/2025 16:39:58
You are masterful at shooting people in their moment! This is another great image. My first impression, also, was to darken down the background to remove those light color disruptions. Love your updated version. Posted: 03/11/2025 13:59:48