Hello everyone, this would be my first discussion of Fstoppers.
Would love to hear your comments on the photo - composition and post.
And also would love to hear your opinion on practicing on street musicians - I always thought this is a banality and... kind of a "low-hanging fruit" for street photography, but couldn't get past this particular girl in Hong Kong playing violin so expressively...
Thanks!
Street musicians - banality or good for training?
I actually adore banality. I devote whole photo essays on the subject.
This photo anything but banal. Expressive is an understatement. You photographed an emotional moment. And, you did it with style. Most of the time I see street musicians photographed straight on with no sense of environment or energy. Your composition creates a dynamic union of angles, colour, and juxtaposition. Beautiful.
I guess what I’m saying is that creating art from the mundane—i.e. reminding us (the viewers) that every moment we have is special is the holy grail for me.
Well done. I look forward to seeing more from you.
Thank you Mark, for your kind words!
Well the fact that musicians are out on the streets in virtually every bigger city may seem like it's a banal topic but the subjects themselves seldom are. Your picture is a great example how far from banality such photograph can fall. there are emotions, dynamism, there is city life in the background as if it was a separate world. I thing it's a fantastic shot.
Going to Paris and taking a photograph of Eiffel tower may be banal but it's virtually impossible to fall in this trap when you photograph people.
I am in agreement with the commenters above. This is a wonderfully expressive capture that features THAT moment. Shooting her alone would have been just as good, but from the angle that you have chosen, we not only get to see the violin player in a very personal moment, we also see those who are captivated by her and those who just keep walking against an urban backdrop. Banality never looked so good. Well done Marina! :)
Street musicians and street photography go hand in hand I think! Knowing that each are putting it out there without fear (not really) is what ties the two together. I love to take pics of local musicians doing their thing!
Hi, l totally agree with Marks post. Great shot! Respect
Homeless people and street musicians are a tough choice for street photo.
Unless you work on a series, I would leave it alone.
It doesn't mean the topic is not interesting, but you have to bring some depth.
Otherwise, it's gonna be a fail, in my opinion.
The banality of every day life is the raw material that we work with. It’s our job to capture it in a way that makes it interesting. You have succeeded. I would maybe use a square crop to isolate the musician and the two figures walking away…but that’s just nitpicking.