ON THE STREET with lifeinphotos.com.au

Back on the street again after a short break and 1 x missed post - apologies.  While I aim to post each month - the occassional one may just go a stray but "hey", thats life and it does get busy sometimes.

"Come for a walk down the street with us' in this book called "ON THE STREET",  our life in photos with lifeinphotos.com.au.  I  have been busy puttng this together to submit into the Momento PRO, photobook of the year competition.  Photographers myself, Julie White and  along with Peter Mitchelson, who is a fan of Master Street  photographer  'Gary Winogrand'.  Peter's photos also appear scattered in the galleries of lifeinphotos.com.au.

Anyway this is what the cover of the book looks like and you can click on the link underneath to view.  Please feel free to provide any feed back - good or bad. (happy to receive any sort of critcism you might like to offer).

TO VIEW the pages of this book click here.

The book shows us how 'entertaining' we can be on the street.  We really are a funny bunch and it's good sometimes to take a look at ourselves, captured in context of our everyday lives.

Pushing the boundaries at the begining of the year I actually compiled a SECOND BOOK,  themed and called the  'ECONOMIC CRISIS the report from the street.  Taking a humourous approach with the content being candid street photography (with just a couple of staged shots), it was therefore important to use subtle captions with each photos to guide you, as the viewer towards understanding the relative representation of the photo.  (and why it was chosen for the theme) 

You see, each photo on it's own will always tell it's own story to you as the viewer, therefore subtle persuation  (in the form of brief captions) became important here since 90% of the photos are purely 'unscripted moments' caught on the street.   

Now after explaining all of that, unfortunately you will be unable to see the captions attached to each photo in this viewing platform, so just enjoy the visuals. I am looking at re-producing both of these books again through another system when I get a chance and they will then be placed on the website for sale.   In the meantime you can VIEW this book here.  Photography again by Julie White and Peter Mitchelson, lifeinphotos.com.au

SCROLL down to read about "what happens if you get confronted", while out taking photos. Peter has written, from experience about this topic, last article. (February 2012), so check it out below, or select from the archive on the top right as people always ask about this.

Until next post
Julie

Stories from the Street - what can happen if you get confronted?

This month Peter shares a story that will be of interest to everyone who often wonders' what happens if you get confronted' when you are out taking photos of people who 'don't seem to like it'.  

As street photographers, on occassions you do put yourself at a 'little risk' when capturing spontaneous moments however unpleasant experiences for us, so far have been rare.  Mostly since the majority of the human race have a 'sense of humour' it is the appeal to this side of our personalities that usually smooths over any objections.

On this occassion when Peter intended to be out for a relaxing afternoon on the waterfront at Shorncliffe a 'confrontation' occurred.


HERE IS PETER'S STORY brought to you from lifeinphotos.com.au
I was down at the Shorncliffe Jetty, back in January. It was a beautiful clear late Sunday afternoon and there was plenty of activity around as there normally is.  When out like this I habitually walk around with my prime 28mm lens. I noticed that the small beach on the southern side of the jetty was covered with people.  Not often is the beach that busy, so I thought I would take a photo from the jetty.  With the 28mm lens I was able to get the whole scene including some nice clouds in the background. "Well then it started".  These people were obviously all together and one of them saw me on the jetty with my camera and "yelled out to the others".  Before I knew it I was surrounded by men and women telling me they were going to "bash me and/or smash my camera" if I did not delete the image.

photo of the action

Regardless of how I tried to stand my ground and that "I have the right to take photos" in a public place, they would not listen and were becoming emotional and irrational about the whole situation.  Common sense prevailed and I "deleted the image".

Arrival of the Police:
The Police arrived and they also tried to explain to these people that I had done nothing wrong and was well within my rights to take the picture.  They refused to listen to them.

I am sure many street photographers have and will encounter resistance and even aggression from ignorant people.  Ignorance is a 'strong word' but that is exactly what it is, so don't be put off.

Your Rights:
In this country we have the rights to take photographs in public places, or what we can see in or from a public place.  Plenty of information can be found at arts law and photo rights information.

" I have done extensive research into this and continue to trawl through the internet trying to keep up with the latest developments in the laws which could impact on the freedom we have.  I have also made presentations to photography clubs on 'street photography and laws', as I am passionate about this subject and will fight against any moves to take our rights away"

Until next post next month take a look at our quirky street galleries at lifeinphotos.com.au

Economic Crisis 2011 - the report from the street

WELCOME to 2012...... lets hope we have a more positive year,  but firstly lets have a brief look back at 2011. With such volatile and unpredictable times during 2011, how did we really look on the street?  How did we spend?  and how did we keep informed?  (just a couple of questions we set out to answer.)

What recession?.... confusion or celebration? photo by Julie

Sadly this crisis will continue to affect us all in unknown quantities.  This makes for a huge story.  However life goes on and we continue to stroll the streets while we learn to survive.  As street photographers we set out to tell a small part of our story form the street.  Here we share 1/100 of a second snapshot of what we captured.... the good news is "THERE IS MORE TO COME'.  ..... and while I can't tell you too much more right now... I shall keep you posted.  HOWEVER, if you are so curious and can't wait, and you email me, I might let you know just a wee bit more..... 

stories from the street' and photos told by lifeinphotos.com.au 

So firstly how did our finances look? .... the story caption for this is "Looking the same way" for everyone

"looking the same way"   photo by Julie

Each photo tells their own story and this can be different to each viewer.  It is interesting how subtle persuasion with short captions, can guide the the viewer towards a targeted story line.  You will see this apparent with these photos and captions that are presented for this story.

NEXT how did we keep ourselves informed?  'on the street',  and how did it look?

'Market Indicators'  photo by Peter

'Narrowing Margins', photo by Peter

'Daily Information'  photo by Peter

NEXT how did we spend?  'on the street'  

'Bare Minimum' photo by Julie

'Nil excess'  photo by Julie

'Bare Essentials'   photo by Julie

'Never Beaten on price'   photo by Julie

NEXT, Whose advise did we take? 

(the photos tell their own story)

Photo by Peter

'SMILE' to save?   photo by Julie

'Photo by Julie

NEXT, How did we finance on the street?

'Free Quote'   photo by Peter

'Waiting'   photo by Julie

Hope you enjoyed.  Next post and NEW story next month in February.
 presented by Julie

FASHION on the Street

Hello there!,  I have just updated our quirky street photography website and added TWO more streets to the photo menu at lifeinphotos.com.au   


They are FASHION STREET & FINANCE STREET.  

So lets take a look at our fashion sense.

What do we wear and when do we care?    Our dress code constantly changes.  Do we choose casual, smart or sloppy and is it more important to feel good or look good?  Perhaps we decide on our dress code depending on how long are we going to walk  the street for?   


Observations on how we 'dress to walk the street' are interesting and entertaining.

Here are some real 'live' examples that have been captured.

(photos & photo stories presented by Julie)

 Love this shot below:  One size fits all?  (but only just) .  Dressed to drive:  The colours of the dress & the car are a fashion statement all on their own

Organised fashion by the window dresser - quite classy and appealing, don't you think?  The two ladies in discussion are being permanently watched.

Off to work or off to play?  Or are we going home to clean after buying the tools.  This photo appealed as the colours & design of the dress code matched the background!

Now, here is one for the imagination below.  Have we really dressed up to go to the toilet?  A perfect example that 'fashion statements' can be found anywhere.   

Thanks for checking in.  Next post next month

DID YOU SEE THAT WALL or did you 'walk on by'

posted by Julie from lifeinphotos.com.au  

Next time you are out walking TAKE A MOMENT  and STOP.  Look at the wall you have just walked past.  Was it really interesting with lots of character ?  Was it tattooed with graffiti all along it ?  It might have had a 'story to tell' .  It might be here today and gone tommorrow.    The question is
DID YOU SEE IT?

Alas, often our minds are so occupied with everyday thoughts about 'where' we are going or 'what' we are about to do ... you know, that sort of  A to B focus with blinkers on!

As Street photographers we spend our time, looking, watching, spying, observing, noticing.... you get the picture? pardon the pun, but this is what you need to do, to,  "GET THE PICTURE".

There are just so many interesting background designs in our street environment .  Visually stimulating backgrounds make great backdrops for candid street photography.  What we do when we find one is.....we wait.... and wait......for the right style of people and the right moment to capture.  However,  the right moment doesn't always happen, so sometimes you just have to 'stop waiting'.

Here are some photos from our art street gallery.  View more of our street photography at lifeinphotos.com.au... Come visit for some quirky street stories....

Oxford Street Sydney.... the wall, tattooed with news

photo by Julie

 Rif Raf, great backdrop, but didn't quite get the right person walking on by. However, this presents a 'great street backdrop.  photo by Julie

Now here is an example of a great backdrop and a great foreground.... (or could we say 'for drop!)... sounds a good opposite.   Photo by Peter

Ok, now for a challenge, here is the opposite.  The foreground (yes a sort of background in front, with the subject/s  BEHIND.... a background in reverse!  NOW, has that got you thinking?

photo by Julie

And lastly another challenge to your thinking pattern.  Not a background or a foreground, but a "HIGH ground' yes I know, I'm starting a new language.!!  Even though I started out asking 'did you look at what you just walked by?  NOW,  the question is... DID YOU LOOK ABOVE YOU?

Bird cages, hanging out in the street of Sydney (Angel Cove)  Photo by Peter

Check out our previous October post!  It tells some good street stories.... from our recent visit to Sydney..... with a focus on  NEWTOWN  (a suburb with the name of the opposite that it is! i.e a very OLD TOWN,  if that makes sense)

Until next story - see you at the end of November!

A HIGHLIGHT visit to NEWTOWN in Sydney

Stories from the Street -   lifeinphotos goes to SYDNEY for the day!
September 22nd,   the two photographers, Julie & Peter  from lifeinphotos.com.au decided  to have a change from Brisbane  and stalk the streets of  SYDNEY for the day!. It's alway good to have a change of environments, backgrounds, people types & living styles.   While it's great just to wander & watch and wait for those 'unscripted moments' that motivate and excite you when you get them,. It's also good to do a bit of planning beforehand as well, just incase you decide to follow it!,  (strange it may seem, as street photography moments are never planned, but the places you visit can be thought out)


A suburb of interest, read about on the internet before going was NEWTOWN.  Described as an 'electric mix of alternative cultures. ethincity, sexuality & lifestyles, it was EXACTLY this.  So interesting and almost 'un-describeable with just a few words, being that it was so diverse in it's offerings.  One thing it WAS NOT, however was sophisticated.  

Here we share some of our photo stories form the day, including getting to & from NEWTOWN and a bit of 'in between',

It all started out with a train ride to get from one destination to the other

Photo above: Peter

Photo below: Julie

Looking inside and outside the train can present some interesting information about what is happening around you.  

So, we arrive at NEWTOWN!  Yes, the locals are extremely interesting.  This lady  was inspired by observing us use our cameras,  and thought it might be a good idea to 'TRY before she BUYS".    Well thats our interpretation  anyway.   photo by Peter

Well, other than a few things the people here in Newtown seem to be mostly normal.   They go about their daily lives just like everyone else, although perhaps a bit differently.

People take lunch breaks, live everyone else, just as these ladies below:   photo by Peter

They dream like the rest of us:   photo by Julie

However the whole main street in Newtown, (King St) appeared to all be on sale with most items having to go by the 'end of September'.   that included ourselves!  so it appears we made our visit at the right time

"all must go by end of Sept",  photo by Peter

Probably a good idea to grab your last roll of 'toilet paper' before leaving as well!

photo by Julie

BACK TO THE MAINSTREAM

Back to the heart of Sydney, here a a few stories from the mainstream  

We will let the photos 'tell their own story'

Photo above & below by Julie

Photo below: Julie

Photos below: Peter

VIEW OUR QUIRKY STREET PHOTOGRAPHY GALLERIES

by clicking here  lifeinphotos.com.au 

Why Street photography?

Street photography presents witt, elegance, character, humour, celebrations of mood & social commentary without the heaviness normally associated with  social documentary.


"We really are a funny perculiar bunch of people when you think about it, some come on in an take a peek at out lifeinphotos.com.au gallery to view & observe the 'context of everyday life"

Let us tell YOUR story in photos

"A true photograph need not be explained nor can it be contained in words-Ansel Adam

"Honey", Lets talk about it over coffee, shall we?

The unbroken tradition of street photography brings the thrill & spontaneity allowing, often  the subconscious reaction to the fecunity of  day to day movments of public life.

Moment by moment, 'on the street' unscripted stories are constantly being told.  Recording some of these moments allows us to share a historical & entertaining 'playback' view of ourselves.

Photographers :  Julie White (creator of life in photos) & Peter Mitchelson.  Visit our www.lifeinphotos.com.au website for all the info.  

Photo left:  "Curious over coffee      Photo right:  'Time out over coffee    
Cafe series photos:  Bottom left by Peter.  Bottom right & top by Julie

  From the 'other side of the street 'busking for $$ below;  photos below by Peter.