Sunday, November 6, 2011

"Get in closer"

I was in San Francisco and Napa for ten days in October.  The first three days were at a photography workshop.

Some of the take-aways were to include people more often (don't wait until they walk out of the frame) . . . include details that provide a sense of the place you are visiting, and . . . "get in closer."  Here are four of the pictures I took during the workshop, trying to incorporate these goals into my pictures.

I need a lot more practice . . .

Chinatown music store, with a customer trying out an erhu -- a Chinese fiddle with two strings.  He was a skilled performer, a willing photography subject and the music was ethereal. 


Young man walking past a Chinatown mural.


Farmer's market.


Sorry, no "sense of place" here, but I thought she was a pretty cool kid.  When I asked her "Look that way" and then "Now look over there," she adjusted as if she had been modeling her whole life.

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34 comments:

  1. KarlNovember 6, 2011 at 6:09 AM

    Hi Jack, I don't think you need more practice, these photos are perfect!

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  2. KateNovember 6, 2011 at 6:17 AM

    As a blogger, we learn a great deal from one another and it's always so wonderful when we share. I have noted specific techniques from certain bloggers that seem to be their "signature." Isn't it fun?!

    Since my favorite techniques are people and close-up my favorites are the bottom two photos.

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  3. brattcatNovember 6, 2011 at 6:18 AM

    You are a very good student!

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  4. MoNovember 6, 2011 at 6:54 AM

    Was a worthwhile workshop judging from the results.

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  5. cieldequimperNovember 6, 2011 at 7:21 AM

    I don't know, sometimes I prefer photos without people in them (quite apart from the fact that I have this French/European privacy law thingy). I have to admit these are very good though, my favourites are the second one and the little girl.

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  6. Leif HagenNovember 6, 2011 at 8:20 AM

    Fun to take a photography workshop! That's what I need!

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  7. Luis GomezNovember 6, 2011 at 8:43 AM

    These work very well Jack.

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  8. Regina KNovember 6, 2011 at 8:46 AM

    How fun to find a photography workshop in San Francisco. You always find such willing participants. I like the little girl. Excellent model.

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  9. RachelNovember 6, 2011 at 9:09 AM

    I like them all, but the last one really tugs at my heart. There is such a sweetness and innocence to it. It speaks of hopes and dreams, of living in the moment AND looking toward the future. I'm glad that it doesn't have a "sense of place" because the theme is too universal for that.

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  10. Louis la VacheNovember 6, 2011 at 9:32 AM

    «Louis» wishes he had known you were in the area - we could have had a blogger's coffee klatch and probably have gotten Carolyn from Oakland Daily Photo to join in...

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  11. Louis la VacheNovember 6, 2011 at 9:33 AM

    BTW, very cool shot with the little girl...

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  12. SharonNovember 6, 2011 at 9:45 AM

    These are great shots Jack, all of them! I think my favorite is the girl in the window. I also like the Farmer's Market shot. When I was working up there I used to visit the market all the time and since I left, it was moved to the Ferry Building where I think it still is now. Such a great market. I have always tried to avoid getting people in my shots but, lately I've gotten better at including them and in almost every case they make the photo more interesting.

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  13. LowellNovember 6, 2011 at 10:25 AM

    I think you did very well! I like all of these a lot. Just remember, photography rules, like other rules, are sometimes best when they're broken!

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  14. BirdmanNovember 6, 2011 at 10:28 AM

    That's a strong first image. Mission accomplished!

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  15. LorelleNovember 6, 2011 at 10:34 AM

    Very exciting that you got to participate in a workshop. Thanks for sharing some of your new skills.

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  16. Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.comNovember 6, 2011 at 10:41 AM

    Perhaps you are showing me that I have wasted lots of time on vacations waiting for the perfect moment to get photos without anyone in them.

    I think it depends on the type of person. Each of your photos today has people who belong there. They are in harmony with and enhance the scene. That is different than a crowd of tourists with cameras in checkered Bermuda shorts standing in front of one of the world's remarkable monuments.

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  17. Cezar and LéiaNovember 6, 2011 at 11:07 AM

    These pictures are wonderful, you are doing it very well!
    You are so talented!
    hugs and congratulations,
    Léia

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  18. VPNovember 6, 2011 at 11:17 AM

    Interesting set of unusual photos...

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  19. Sylvia KNovember 6, 2011 at 11:19 AM

    You obviously graduated with honors, Jack, these are terrific, but you've always taken great people shots! I have to admit I've always focused on nature with the fewer people the better, but you just may have given me reason to broaden my scope!! Hope you've had a great weekend!

    Sylvia

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  20. RandyNovember 6, 2011 at 11:33 AM

    These are fantastic shots Jack. I think the last shot is a great example of "Sense of place." We have some great workshops here but are out of my price range. There's one in the Spring that I do want to do though. It's in Northern New Mexico shooting wild horses.

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  21. UnknownNovember 6, 2011 at 12:19 PM

    I'm not sure you need a lot more practice, these are some great shots, Jack! I love the angle and the oriental mood of the top one.

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  22. PetNovember 6, 2011 at 1:07 PM

    For what I say, it appears to me that you are a pretty good student!
    And good advises too. Thank you.

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  23. RedPatNovember 6, 2011 at 3:27 PM

    Love them all Jack! Funny but just lately it has been dawning on me that pics that people have strolled through seem more alive than when I wait for them to be gone.
    About the painted walls - I think the walls have been tagged so many times the the owners go for a mural to stop that from happening. It is so hard to remove graffiti!

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  24. UnknownNovember 6, 2011 at 3:51 PM

    These are wonderful! I love S.F. Chinatown. Also fell in love with Japantown on our last visit. The Kabuki Hotel is highly recommended.

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  25. John "By Stargoose And Hanglands"November 6, 2011 at 4:41 PM

    You've learned your lessons well, Jack.
    I seem to remember hearing that the first three rules of photography are "Get closer, get closer, get closer" and that was a quote from Robert Capa.

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  26. sheila lynchNovember 6, 2011 at 7:14 PM

    I think "closer, closer" works sometimes. I think you should follow what your eyes and heart like! Great photos!

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  27. UnknownNovember 6, 2011 at 7:31 PM

    These are great, Jack! I love the little girl at the bottom - no, no sense of place, but certainly a sense of her...

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  28. TashNovember 6, 2011 at 7:40 PM

    You ARE a quick study. Congrats on the set of great examples for us. Since everyone is choosing favorites, mine is the 2nd one.

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  29. DianneNovember 7, 2011 at 1:15 AM

    That info makes sense Jack - I'm usually waiting for some-one to move out of the frame before I click that shot. Love your top capture in the music store - that guy just fits in the picture beautifully.

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  30. ValerieNovember 7, 2011 at 3:09 PM

    Thanks so much for sharing what you've learnt Jack. I recognise that I tend to concentrate way too much on "flat" scenic shots without people, but am happy to admit and appreciate they do bring scenes to life. (I'll try to mend my ways!) Yes, the lovely window shot gets my vote too.

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  31. SRQNovember 7, 2011 at 8:36 PM

    No photography classes in Hartford??? Good thing you found one in SF! : ) Sounds like you walked away with some good info. When I have time, I'd like to take another class. Bravo for you (and I hope HDP management is taking note.)

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  32. jennyfrecklesNovember 8, 2011 at 5:17 PM

    It's good to get some stimulation from a workshop sometimes, makes us move out of our comfort zones. But I already thought you had some great people shots.

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  33. Oakland Daily PhotoNovember 9, 2011 at 1:45 AM

    Hope the weather was good for you during your trip. Let's arrange a meet up the next time you're out west.

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  34. Stefan JanssonNovember 10, 2011 at 5:40 AM

    Fun isn't it, documenting people around you.

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