[Pho.Talk] Saul Leiter Street Photography Analysis: Techniques, Influences, Philosophy

April 26, 2021 in Photography Inspiration, Street Photography

Dubbed the ‘New York Nabi’, Saul Leiter’s work exhibited a confluence of French Impressionism and Japanese Zen. As a painter himself, he owned paintings by household French names including Bonnard and Vermeer, and was knowledgeable in the history of art. Later images also show Japanese ukiyo-e prints by Utagawa Hiroshige and Hokusai, hung up in his studio walls, together with a rich collection of Japanese calligraphy, vinyl and books. In his formative years, photographer W. Eugene Smith and painter Richard Pousette-Dart encouraged Saul to pursue photography.

[Pho.Snap] Is 24mm Good for Street Photography?

March 20, 2021 in Camera & Gear, Street Photography

Any lens is good for street photography as long as you use it for the right type of situation. Street photography spans across such a wide range of subjects and approaches that no one lens is going to be ‘the best lens’ across the board. Rather, every focal length has its own strong suit, the 24mm is no different. The more relevant question is, therefore, what type of street photography is the 24mm good for? In this article, we will discuss just that.

[Pho.Talk] Great Photographers: Light and Shadow Photography

March 04, 2021 in Photography Inspiration, Street Photography

The single one most powerful asset that makes strong images is the use of light and shadows, and the endless possibilities that it can add to a scene. In this article, we will look at what shadow photography refers to, some common forms in which light and shadow are used to enhance an image’s composition, and the works of great photographers who are widely known to be masters of light and shadows.

[Pho.Snap] Best Focus Settings for Street Photography: Manual/ Auto, Prime/ Zoom

February 05, 2021 in Street Photography, Camera & Gear

Focus techniques and getting sharp images in street photography rightly concerns many street photographers. This article discusses various manual focusing techniques including zone focusing/ hyperfocal distance, explaining how they work and when they are best for. Autofocus is also a powerful complement where manual abilities are limited. With the latest autofocus technology available today, photographers should take advantage of it.

[Pho.Talk] Street Photography Etiquette: Do's and Don'ts, Blending In & Confidence

December 09, 2020 in Street Photography

This article will address head-on one of the most common issues in street photography, that is how to overcome fear, how to blend in when shooting street photography, and how to navigate difficult situations.

[Pho.Snap] Candid Street Photography: Purpose, Obtrusiveness, Gear

October 23, 2020 in Street Photography

Many questions in relation to street photography remain unanswered, which I will try to address in this article so that you could gain clarity on what the purpose is in shooting streets, be more confident in what you are doing, and also prepare with the most suitable gear for a street shoot.

[Pho.Talk] Is Street Photography Creepy?

September 01, 2020 in Street Photography

Firstly, street shots with an architectural focus are seldom creepy. Secondly, general streetscape shots that happen to include some people can be regarded as creepy. These are usually taken at a distance, which are considerably less creepy than the third, street portraits, in which the photographer isolates individuals or groups on streets to make a close-up capture. To overcome this uneasiness, the key is to stop caring about people’s reactions, time your shot, and be familiar with manual shooting.

[Pho.Edit] Selecting your Best Shots: What to Keep vs Delete?

April 05, 2020 in Street Photography

Here is how to select your best shots:

Compare the colours across the photos and keep the one which has the most interesting colour combination.
Look for direct eye contact from your subject to the camera, as it elicits more powerful feelings in the viewer.
Decide on how well interactions between the subjects are depicted. The photo that does this more effectively should be kept.

[Pho.Snap] Guide to Manual Exposure for Street Photography

March 02, 2020 in Street Photography

You know you are moving one step away from a complete beginner photographer, when you start to ask questions about manual exposure. The theories and techniques might sound very hard to grasp at first. But after reading this guide, I guarantee that your confusions will be gone in no time. In this article, I cover some easy ways to navigate the manual exposure techniques in street photography, which will make you a much more versatile photographer.

[Pho.Talk] 15 Best Places for Street Photography in Hong Kong

February 17, 2020 in Street Photography

Hong Kong has absolutely lovely streets and as a street photographer, I couldn’t have asked for a better place to learn the craft in. Posts of streets and corners in Hong Kong going viral on Instagram really have people wanting for more. In this article, I am sharing 15 of my hand-picked all-time favourite spots in Hong Kong, that would make the best locations for street photography. Read on!