It’s Photo Challenge Friday Again. I was a little busy last week so this week I’ve got a double post for you.
Week 24’s challenge continues with the photo scavenger hunt series and is called Green With Envy. This challenge involves looking for things that are green. Green is associated with nature, harmony, growth,stability,freshness and fertility. So like red don’t just look for the colour look at its symbols. Here are the Results:
For Week 25 I have chosen another challenge from Photocrafty by Sue Veneables. This Challenge is called Orange Glow. As this is another photo scavenger hunt this focuses on looking for things that are orange or that the colour orange represents. Orange is a ‘hot’ colour, which creates the feeling of warmth. it also denotes joy, enthusiasm, creativity and endurance. Here are some orange images:
Next week for Week 26 the forth in the colour scavenger hunt series from photocrafty by Sue Veneables will be Feeling Blue?.They say that blue can be a mood and its also all around us as both the sky and the sea are blue.
If you enjoyed this weeks challenge join in with next weeks Feeling Blue? challenge and tweet or Instagram to @lucyandthelens and don’t forget to #feelingblue? .
Week 23’s challenge is Seeing Red. This challenge is to do a photo scavenger hunt looking for only things that are red. Red is associated with extreme emotions and events, such as passion, love anger, war danger, blood, determination and strength. So these photo don’t have to just be of a physical colour you can also look for symbols.This week as it was raining all week so i didn’t get out so i will be sharing a few of my images that use Red.
Here are a few Red Images:
For Week 23 I will be doing another challenge from photocrafty by Sue Veneables and another in my back to basics series. Week 24’s challenge will be continuing with the photo scavenger hunt and is called Green With Envy. This challenge involves looking for things that are green. Green is associated with nature, harmony, growth,stability,freshness and fertility. So like red don’t just look for the colour look at its symbols.
If you enjoyed this weeks challenge join in with next weeks Green With Envy challenge and tweet or Instagram to @lucyandthelens and don’t forget to #greenwithenvy.
Week 22’s challenge is another of my current back to basics series and is called, Framing. This is all about using natural frames. You can create a frame like this using your hands, a fence, trees or a window. You may even think of other ways of creating a natural frame. Don’t use picture frames and things like that for this challenge it must be natural.
Here are my images of framing:
For Week 23 I will be doing another challenge from photocrafty by Sue Veneables and another in my back to basics series. Week 23’s challenge is Seeing Red. This challenge is to do a photo scavenger hunt looking for only things that are red. Red is associated with extreme emotions and events, such as passion, love anger, war danger, blood, determination and strength. So these photo don’t have to just be of a physical colour you can also look for symbols.
If you enjoyed this weeks challenge join in with next weeks Seeing Red challenge and tweet or Instagram to @lucyandthelens and don’t forget to #seeingred.
I’ve heard this question so many times and I think its mostly to do with your own moral code.
There are a few things you shouldn’t take photographs of. Here are some of them:
People in private property without permission is illegal so don’t do this unless you have that permission.
If you are in a public place no one can stop, you from taking photos just don’t take anything thats vulgar or degrading as in that case you should be stopped.
You are allowed to take photos of people in a public place especially if they are unidentifiable. If someone asks you to delete an image you have taken you do not have to do it. But taking your own safety into regard if the person asking you is in the photo and only them, I would delete it as chances are you will find a better image just around the corner.
Morally unless I’m photographing an event, I would not take photos of children without parental consent. I just feel that you shouldn’t do that because it comes across as creepy.
Homeless people are up for massive debate when you see this question some photographers will and some won’t. Just think about how would you feel if you were homeless and someone took a picture of you.
I also think you shouldn’t take photos of someone who has some deteriorating condition without permission as its not really fair or ethical on the person.
Also, if I see someone in an emotionally unstable state, I won’t take a picture. How would you feel if you were crying on the street and you later saw a picture of yourself in that state? Photographing someone who’s emotional is okay in a play, at a wedding or a christening but in a public place you really shouldn’t photograph them.
Happy Friday Readers, It’s time to share this week’s challenge.
Week 21’s challenge is another of my current back to basics series and is called, Do Your Lines. This is about using lines to lead the viewer into the image. These can be horizontal, vertical, radial and diagonal. These Leading Lines are everywhere you look so this challenge is rather simple to do even with a phone on your daily walks.
Here are a few of mine:
For Week 22 I will be doing another challenge from photocrafty by Sue Veneables.Week 22’s challenge is another of my current back to basics series and is called, Framing. This is all about using natural frames. You can create a frame like this using your hands, a fence, trees or a window. You may even think of other ways of creating a natural frame. Don’t use picture frames and things like that for this challenge it must be natural.
If you enjoyed this weeks challenge join in with next weeks Framing challenge and tweet or Instagram to @lucyandthelens and don’t forget to #framing.
Week 20’s challenge is Rule Of Thirds. I thought I’d Start the challenges in this book from the beggining which is the fundamentals. So The Rule Of Thirds is basic composition. Think of your camera or phone like a grid and divide it into thirds, both horizontally and vertically. The Focus of the image should be placed on the intersecting points usually on the right or left hand side but don’t be afraid to break the rules.
Here are a few of my images that show the rule of thirds:
For Week 21 I will be doing another challenge from photocrafty by Sue Veneables. Week 21’s challenge is another of my current back to basics series and is called, Do Your Lines. This is about using lines to lead the viewer into the image. These can be horizontal, vertical, radial and diagonal.
If you enjoyed this weeks challenge join in with next weeks Do Your Lines challenge and tweet or Instagram to @lucyandthelens and don’t forget to #doyourlines.
You may have seen my 8 photography techniques to try in isolation post.
Well as well as trying new things using photoshop techniques on the portraits in my back catalogue I’ve been going out with my camera during lockdown and photographing the places I go on my daily walks. The main place I’ve been to frequently is moor parl.
You have to really think about what we should and shouldn’t be doing on our daily walks. Should we be staying at a safe distance and asking people if they want to be photographed without going near to us. Is it ethical or unethical in this crazy time? How will people respond? Should we try contacting people to be photographed on there porches while we stay on the path? Is this okay or not? Its up to you as a photographer to decide.
So Then I started to think about what else I can do without taking portraits I decided to take my camera with me on some of my daily walks going to moor park 7 days in a row with a different lens every day to see what perspectives I could get with the different lenses.
There is the Petzval 85mm lomography lens which is great for portraits but without the luxury of asking someone for a portrait like I normally what can I do with this lens?
I also used a Nikon 35mm Prime Lens which is a very versatile lens for both landscapes and portraits.
a Nikon 18-55mm kit lens, a Sigma 10-20mm,
A Lensbaby circular fisheye lens which I love to create distorted images with. It seems to create a warped world view in my eyes.
It’s Photo Challenge Friday. Week 19’s challenge is to Get Closer. This challenge is about taking close up pictures of ordinary things and seeing if you can make them look stange and unfamiliar. Using objects and subjects you can find in your own house and garden and experimenting with Black and White.
Here are the results of the challenge:
For week 20 i have chosen a challenge from Photocrafty by Sue Veneables: Week 20’s challenge is Rule Of Thirds. I thought I’d Start the challenges in this book from the beggining which is the fundamentals. So The Rule Of Thirds is basic composition. Think of your camera or phone like a grid and divide it into thirds, both horizontally and vertically. The Focus of the image should be placed on the intersecting points usually on the right or left hand side but don’t be afraid to break the rules.
If you enjoyed this weeks challenge join in with next weeks Rule Of Thirds challenge and tweet or Instagram to @lucyandthelens and don’t forget to #ruleofthirds.
Welcome to the second instalment of monthly Photographer Q and A. My second photographer is Street Photographer: Alf Myers Photography.
How did you get into photography?
That’s a rather simple one to answer – it was holidays. Many, many, moons ago I went on holiday to the Greek island of Corfu. It was in the days of film and I had a little point and shoot camera with me. Nothing amazing, but I took one image from the two weeks that caught my attention and I wanted to make more.
It was the inside of a little Greek church and the colours of the print when they came back just blew me away. It took me back to that moment. I have to say that it was the only decent image. That frustrated me so I looked for ways to get better images but in a foolish way – better equipment. It didn’t work!
Don’t buy equipment and think you’ll get better. You won’t. It is a false economy!
Greek Fishermen By Alf Myers Photography
What kind of gear do you use?
That depends. I mostly do street photography so I like to keep it simple. My current set-up is a Sony Alpha 7mkIII with a Samyang 35mm f2.8 lens. That’s it.
If I’m doing something else, like an event or wedding, then I double it up with my old Canon 5d Mk III with a 24-70mm f2.8 and a 70-200mm f2.8. I have a converter so can use the Canon glass on the Sony body and it works rather well.
What is your favourite lens? Why?
It really depends on the job, but for a long time it has been my Canon 24-70mm F2.4 L series, it is just a sweet lens which I used for about 80% of my shots.
However, since moving onto the Sony a7 Mk III, I’ve switched to a 35mm prime – the Samyang 35mm f2.8. I love a faster lens to reduce the depth of field and for capturing more light which helps at night and in low light situations. The Samyang doesn’t have this but it has a small profile and weighs very little. The whole setup is very easy to carry for the whole day. Not like the Canon 5D Mk III and the 24-70mm which is what I used to use on the streets.
Art Gallery by Alf Myers Photography
So you’re a street photographer? How did that subject peak your interest?
I guess you could say that I’m more known for my street photography than anything else. For the most part I like people photography, but for street, well I’ve always been a bit of a people watcher and I like exploring different cities. Both of those and a camera, lead naturally to street.
I hope each image I make triggers the viewer to build their own stories in their heads. That’s what I like. That’s what makes a good image.
Baker Street by Alf Myers Photography
What settings do you typically use for your street photography?
It all depends on the available light and subject but generally I’m hovering f8 at 1/500+ shutter speed. That will mean a relatively high ISO for most of the time in the UK.
That way you get a good depth of field and reduce the chance for camera shake, although you have to adjust for the light and for your intended image.
Are there certain shots you like to get when doing street photography? Or do you just go with the flow?
For me street photography is all about going with the flow and adapting to what you see/find as you wander. That said, you’ll find each street photographer’s images will have reoccurring subjects, styles and approaches that they subconsciously gravitate toward when they’re out on the streets. Whilst I don’t specifically go to shoot a picture of x or y, certain situations will inevitability draw my attention more than others.
I do tend to follow given ‘routes’ which I like to explore at different times of day and year. You notice how things change yet at the same time stay the same.
Evening Walk By Alf Myers Photography
How do you usually post process your work?
Again, it will depend on the image in question. What is it saying? What mood does it portray? Have I taken it with mono in mind or is it a celebration of colour?
However, I will generally start in Adobe Lightroom. I’ll import the images from the camera with a base setting that will look to apply some meta data, camera/lens correction and a few settings that I’ve come to regularly apply.
From there I’ll confirm if I’m going monochrome which is mostly how I see and shoot, but from time to time the colour pixie will have whispered in my ear and colour it must be.
In Adobe Lightroom, I’ll apply all the global processing such as cropping, correcting wonky horizons and verticals, exposure and tones. Then, it depends on the subject…
If it is a street image, I’ll stay in Lightroom to dodge and burn etc., to help draw your eye.
If it is a portrait or something creative, or for a club comp then I’ll go into Photoshop where all bets are off. There will be lots of layers.
Board Meeting by Alf Myers Photography
What makes a good photograph in your eyes?
One that triggers an emotion in the it’s viewers. It doesn’t need to be technically perfect, in fact the more perfect the less an image tends to trigger an emotion.
Folk And Blues Festival by Alf myers Photography
Are there any other styles of photography you enjoy?
Mostly anything to do with people. I regularly support as a second shooter at weddings and do various events, ‘Born Survivor’ being an example. Getting involved in the action is key here. Street photography really helps with these, it opens one’s eye to the potential of a scene and enhances your skill of a quick reaction when you need it. I also like doing studio-based work, especially head shots.
I love viewing nature and landscapes but find the process of making them isn’t for me. I really want to get up to explore and experience the moment.
Born Survivor 1 by Alf Myers PhotographyBorn Survivor 2 By Alf Myers Photography
Tell us the story behind your favourite picture.
I suspect I haven’t taken it yet.
That said, of the images I have taken, in the too many years to mention there are a few that jump out and that I have on my wall in my office
One image that I keep returning to is ‘Journey Home.’ I wouldn’t call it a happy image but it has lots of feeling in and I love the lighting. The expression on the man’s face crossing the road, and the crowd in the back waiting for the green man before they cross – it could almost be from the Walking Dead.
The location is London, Euston Road just outside of the station with Prezzo behind us. We were heading back to our hotel after a long day exploring London.
Here is the picture in question:
Journey Home By Alf Myers Photography
Have you done any cool projects recently that you’d like to discuss?
Currently we’re in a strange place, what with being socially isolated as a result of COVID-19, so a lot of my plans are on hold. However, at the start of the year, I joined a group of other photographers on Twitter in a project, the aim being to share a new image everyday for a year. Look up #365aroundthesun and you’ll see how we’re doing.
I was hoping it would be a new image I’d taken on the day, but it has turned into just new images that I haven’t shared before. Although I suspect one or two may have got past that filter too.
When you go travelling what do you take with you and why?
It used to be a lot! But now, I generally take my Sony A7 Mk III with the 35mm Samyang lens, plus a 50mm too. Alongside that I have a little Fujifilm x70 which sits nicely in my pocket.
All of this is carried in a ThinkTank Retrospective 7 v2.0 Why? Well, unless I know I’m going to a specific location and I’d be after certain shots that require something a little more specific, I like to keep the weight down and for the most part this setup covers everything I like to do. There are occasions when I regret not taking a longer lens but they are rare.
One thing you learn quickly is how to make a bag look light when checking in at the airport.
Evolution Of Man by Alf Myers Photography
Is there any photographers work that has influenced and inspired you? If so who?
There are indeed, but some of my biggest influences are film and art galleries, just observing the visual, composition and ideas. I absorb them and in some cases their influence inadvertently rubs off.
I have shot both but these days I’m exclusively digital.
However, I do look back with fondness to the days when I used to develop and print my own monochrome images. Maybe I’ll try again at some point.
Where do you expand your photographic knowledge?
There are lots of ways, including reading around the topic. I’m currently reading Bystander by Joel Meyerowitz and Colin Westerbeck which is giving me an interesting and in-depth history of street photography. It is however a heavy read in many ways.
There are courses and lectures which can educate and inspire. Matt Hart’s, “Learning to See” workshop was a real turning point for me.
Then you have YouTube – which has something on just about everything. I can recommend popping by Sean Tucker’s channel.
However, you can’t beat trying and failing – it is said that it is by failing that we learn. So shoot, look, and shoot some more. Or practice, practice, practice.
And finally – helping others. You learn so much by helping others with their photography.
For more of Alf’s work visit his website at Alf Myers Photography. You can also see Alf’s work on Instagram @alfmyersmono and twitter @alfmyers.
I hope you enjoyed something a little different showcasing and discussing the work of Alf Myers Photography: Street Photographer. Stay Tuned for the next installment.
I feel as a photographer you should not just photograph subjects you like or things you enjoy. You should also be photographing things you fear.
I was terrified of dogs since I was about 7 years old when I went to worden park and I was chased by one until I climbed up a tree which seemed to deter it.
So, a few years ago as whenever I saw a dog, I would cross the road and the owner would follow me across and tell me their dog was okay but when you’re afraid of something that’s the last thing you want. You have to confront your fear yourself.
I eventually decided to choose to photograph dogs for a domestic animal’s competition. Also, when I went on a trip to Ireland I was around dogs for a weekend and managed to get photos of them. So, here’s a selection of Dog portraits:
Although I still flinch if a dog jumps on me, I think photographing them has pretty much conquered my fear.
Is anyone else afraid or has previously been afraid of something they could tap into and photograph. Does photographing the thing you’re afraid of help you to ease that fear?
