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

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

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.

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

[Pho.Snap] Is 24mm Good for 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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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[Pho.Talk] Is Film Photography Worth it (vs Digital)? Costs, Image Quality, Film stocks

[Pho.Talk] Is Film Photography Worth it (vs Digital)? Costs, Image Quality, Film stocks

Film photography has been a subject of heated debate - is it work it to shoot film in an era in which digital photography is so convenient and cost-effective? This article breaks it down to you and addresses the question of whether film photography is worth it in today’s age, speaking from the point of view of costs, image quality, and how film stocks functions.

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[Pho.Talk] Ultimate Film Photography Troubleshoot Guide: Storage Time, Accidents & Hacks

[Pho.Talk] Ultimate Film Photography Troubleshoot Guide: Storage Time, Accidents & Hacks

This troubleshoot guide covers niche troubles people commonly run into when picking up or inheriting second hand, old film cameras. You will find a wealth of information in relation to storing film, key points in time of a roll of film’s lifetime, operational tips in using a film camera, how to deal with accidents, and disposable film cameras.


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[Pho.Talk] How to Build an Editorial Fashion Concept: ND Award-Winning Example

[Pho.Talk] How to Build an Editorial Fashion Concept: ND Award-Winning Example

Coming up with the concept is usually the collective work of a team, though the photographer and stylist typically play a larger role. The entire team communicates concepts using a moodboard, which consists of any images relevant to the discussion, including previous magazine covers, brand assets, or past work with a photographer with a similar style. The moodboard can be targeted at a certain fashion magazine, or at a brand’s message behind the collection to be shot. The moodboard also contains images singling out specific parts of the hairdo, makeup and props (if any).

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[Pho.Snap] Tripods for Photo & Video FAQ: Do you Need one, and When?

[Pho.Snap] Tripods for Photo & Video FAQ: Do you Need one, and When?

In general, you should buy a tripod if you want to start shooting commercially as many photography genres involve using a tripod, such as product and food. This is a worthwhile upgrade as it increases your production quality as a professional. In photography, tripods are typically used for stacking shots, long exposures and difficult shooting angles. In video, tripods are widely used to film yourself and to eliminate camera shake in footages, especially where fast motion is intended. For modern digital cameras, all cameras come with the same mount, thus any tripod would fit any camera.

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[Pho.Snap] When and Why to Buy an External Flash: Decision Guide!

[Pho.Snap] When and Why to Buy an External Flash: Decision Guide!

A good time to seriously consider getting a flash is when you are starting to get booked for paid photography gigs. Flash lights are often used by professional photographers because it is highly portable for on-location or outdoor shoots, in which the lighting conditions are often not ideal. Even where there is enough daylight, flash lights can be used to create artistic effects.

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[Pho.Snap] Camera Flash Zoom Explained: Why Use it, What Focal Length

[Pho.Snap] Camera Flash Zoom Explained: Why Use it, What Focal Length

The zoom function is built to save flash power when shooting close-up frames, to maintain a higher level of flash performance overall. It also makes possible creative decisions that result in dramatic lighting with high contrast. Under most circumstances, you should keep your flash zoomed to the same focal length as your lens, except in creative photography in which you have more room for experimentation.

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[Pho.Talk] Is Street Photography Creepy?

[Pho.Talk] Is Street Photography Creepy?

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.

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[Pho.Snap] Shutter Sound Explained: DSLR vs Mirrorless, Silent Shooting Modes

[Pho.Snap] Shutter Sound Explained: DSLR vs Mirrorless, Silent Shooting Modes

DSLRs make a clicking noise because they operate using a mechanical shutter; the mirror claps twice and back to its original position after every shot. It is not possible to get rid of it entirely, but manufacturers like Canon have come up with ‘soft-shooting’ modes. These modes make it possible to dampen or delay the clicking sound. Mirrorless cameras make a softer noise because of they don’t have mirrors and only run on electronic shutters.

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[Pho.Talk] Dress Code for Photographers: Events, Outdoor vs Studio Shoots

[Pho.Talk] Dress Code for Photographers: Events, Outdoor vs Studio Shoots

For event photography, it depends on whether you adopt a documentary or interactive approach; for the former, wearing neutral tones is essential in reducing intrusion to the candid moments. For outdoor shoots, pay attention to temperature, sunlight intensity, your working environment and pick clothes that allow you to stay dry and flexible throughout the shoot. For studio shoot, you can go for outfits that has more of your personality and also look professional.

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