Candid photography is like a box of chocolates #4

Just for fun

Sydney June 2013 – September 2014 (7 photos)

Candid photography is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.

Which is why when I’m out on the streets, my camera is always on, the lens cap is always off, and the manual focus of my prime lens is set at about 3 metres; I usually shoot in the range of 2 – 5 metres. You never know what scene you will encounter, and the scene can change substantially between spotting it and getting ready to get the shot in. And who wants to miss that shot for not being ready or not being close enough.

But occasionally, there’s a dud in that chocolate box and it should be no surprise that the technique of spontaneous zone focussing photography using a wide aperture from hip level can be fraught with danger, and many photos are an instant fail. Although, some are so close as to make you almost cry because they are just not good enough. The most common problems I have experienced are misjudging the distance, angling the camera incorrectly, bad composition and movement blur. Sudden changes in facial expression can be a bother too.

Previously, a comment from a wabbit-loving friend suggested these duds might be of some interest. And it’s close enough now to the end of the year that I thought I’d indulge in a frivolous post.

So in a (metaphorically-speaking) different angle for a photography blog, I present to you, and just for fun, a short round up of my near-misses…

The best of my worst candid street photography:

“Top Man”

Great focus on the back of the woman’s head. Shame about the guy’s face though. For a better focussed Topman photo, see Topman

“He’s just not that into you. OK, maybe he is”

At least the wine glass is in focus.

“30% off!!! Who cares what it is! I want it!”

This would work much better with the focus on the woman’s face.

“Biggus”

Of course I went in for the close shot from front on. And of course I missed it.

“In your face”

Too wide an aperture but necessary for the ambient light. Nothing in focus here except for the table edge in front of the camera.

“My dreamboat”

I didn’t angle the camera up enough and once again, perfect focus on the water glass.

“Like sands through the hourglass”

Missing the focus on the face for this one really hurts.

…..

Despite the poor quality of the shots, I hope the character of the shots still shines through. I hope you enjoyed seeing these, and seeing what I was trying to achieve with them. Judge them as you see fit.

Normal transmission will resume next week.