Walking with a Purpose – San Francisco, California
As you can imagine, I shot a lot of photographs during my two excursions to San Francisco. I didn’t count how many images I took before I began the culling process, but I was left with about 240 keepers. I’m a fast shooter in general. For street photography of course, you can’t dilly dally and really setup the shot. The best stuff occurs in a fraction of a second and it is easy to miss. I’m hardly a master but I enjoy the challenge of anticipating, finding and composing a shot very quickly.
The Apple Store Hustle and Bustle – San Francisco, California
Original Palace Barber Shop – San Francisco, California
Contrasting Architectural Textures – San Francisco, California
The urban landscapes can be set up a bit more since the action is less frenetic. But the best light and color, such as during blue hour, does not last long. I still find it useful to quickly decide on a composition and execute. At times I make several different compositions so that I can decide later which I like best. They are usually subtle variations on a theme.
Buildings in the Periphery – San Francisco, California
Taxies on Market Street – San Francisco, California
For today’s post, I decided to go all monochrome. Some photographs to me look better in black and white. It could be because of a lack of interesting color or that I want to emphasize texture or geometric patterns. Black and white can also simply an image if it doesn’t have too much texture and an abundance of lines. These photographs are from both my Monday and Thursday visits to San Francisco last week. I think they have a different feel from the color photos I’ve posted recently.
As usual, I shoot all my photographs in color. Later in post processing I convert selected images to black and white in Aperture 3. Since the RAW converter for the E-P5 is still not available, I shot all images in JPEG + RAW. These were all converted from JPEGs.
Not all of these are text-book perfect. The first image, for example, has some motion blur as do some others. But I like the feel of these. They evoke a certain mood for me. I hope you enjoy them too.
A Parting Hug, Market Street – San Francisco, California
Private Music, Market Street – San Francisco, California
The Skyscrapers of Market Street – San Francisco, California
Friendly Folk, Market Street – San Francisco, California
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I’ve been taking photos for almost 50 years and only began to like color with the advent of digital but I still prefer urban landscapes and candid’s of people to be black and white. However, your blue hour color photography is very compelling.
Tom, thank you for your kind words. I do like blue hour. But my interest in Black and White has certainly grown over the last couple of years.
great images.. color or b/w. amazing captures at night.
the beauty of digital and high ISO!
i disagree about being quick..If you know a city,place,
you pick a setting and await your actors/players..
shooting on the hop. skip and jump, does not work for me!
jason
Thanks, Jason.
Very nice in black and white. No need to choose B&W or color — each works in its own way.
Thanks Michael. Yes, I agree. Both have their good points.