Melbourne Candid Series #942 Acland St St Kilda

 

Cicciolina during the quiet hour 

Sony A7RV

FE 24mm f1.4 GM

Check out Candid 701

It has been over three years since I started this blog, and I never anticipated it would last this long. My previous attempts at creating one ended in failure. A dear friend, who shares my passion for hobbies, once told me that my blog lacked the classic, confrontational candid photography feel. Over time, I noticed that my ambition and skill set have deteriorated. I find myself imitating Instagram-style street photography, which is not truly my forte. I have also succumbed to the popular culture prevalent on social media.

I am now questioning whether this type of "faceless" street photography is really what my readers desire. I would greatly appreciate your comments and feedback.

Melbourne Candid Series #943 Beach Rd St Kilda

 

I thought roller blade is no longer cool

Sony A7RV

FE 50mm f1.2 GM

Check out Candid 702

Indeed, the realm of prize-winning street photography often seems dominated by themes of poverty or the horrors of war. This trend tends to overshadow genuine street photography, which frequently goes unappreciated. It is rather disheartening. I must acknowledge the need to seek out photographers in Melbourne who have a genuine passion for this genre.

Melbourne Candid Series #162

 

He is quite charming. There are a lot of ladies screaming in the audience. 

Some tell me street photography is easy. But taking good street photography is very hard. 

Federation Square, Melbourne

Canon 5D 

EF 135mm f2 L

This is linking to Black and White Photo Hub

Melbourne Candid Series #365 Lygon Street Carlton

 

Lygon Street pub corner 

Rather bustling atmosphere in this dying part of town 

Sony A7RV

FE 14mm f1.8 GM

I come across this argument in a local street photography forum "Edit or no edit" 

"If you post process, it doesn't mean that you haven't learned the equipment or your style. In fact some who post process know their equipment intimately knowing very well the bounds of the tools available to them.

Also, post processing predates digital by a long way. Are those who dodged and burned in the darkroom not real photographers, or photographers with extra skill sets?

If you take what you can get out of in camera jpeg as a strict constraint, that means that you have accepted the choices your camera's engineers made for prioritising highlights, shadows, saturation etc. Even if you're a 100% manual shooter, you have accepted that you're going to let the camera make a lot of decisions on processing for you.

If you shoot raw and post process, you are no less of a photographer because of it. If you choose an in camera preset or film sim, again you have accepted someone else's choices for final processing.

If you have files from 2008 in low light, they look noisy because digital cameras sucked at low light in 2008. If you feed those old photos into software in 2023 that can recognise sensor noise and correct it with a high degree of accuracy, it doesn't mean that you didn't know how to use a camera in 2008. You may have just accepted noise as a trade-off for a reasonable exposure.

If you have a camera released this year and push iso in a difficult situation to get the shot rather than not, knowing that software in 2023 can correct sensor noise really well, it doesn't mean that you didn't learn your equipment. It could just mean that you know enough to get the shot rather than not."

Check out Candid 216 and FACE OFF

Melbourne Candid Series #360 Elizebath St, Melbourne

 

I attempted 135mm fixed focal length to do a trial candid shoot in street. Quite a different perspective. The folks in camera club often told me not to use telephoto lenses in street photography.

Sony A7RV

FE 135mm f1.8 GM

Check out Candid 213

Melbourne Candid Series #313 De Graves St

 

The usual over-priced alley snap. A little twist with motion blur 

I have sided with Instagram style street shots that do not show people's faces clearly. This is actually considered as a taboo in street photography. But I notice every wrong style is now acceptable - thanks to smart phone prevalence. 

Sony A7RIV

Laowa 9mm f5.6

Check out Candid 196

Taipei Candid Series #934 Rong Shan Temple

 

A sentimental shot 

Pentax K20D 

FE 31mm f1.8 Ltd

Check out Candid 693

Rong Shan Temple is not just a sanctuary of spiritual tranquility but also a canvas for timeless stories. This historic temple, with its intricate architecture and serene ambiance, has been a silent witness to myriad moments of contemplation, devotion, and everyday life.

For me, Rong Shan Temple holds a special place in my heart. It was here, over 30 years ago, that I embarked on my journey into candid street photography. The vibrant interactions, the fleeting expressions of devotion, and the rich tapestry of human life that unfolds in and around this temple have been the essence of my photographic endeavors. Every corner of the temple, from the ornate entrance to the peaceful courtyards, offered a new perspective and a story waiting to be captured through my lens.

In the early days, my camera and I would wander through the temple grounds, seeking to freeze moments of spontaneity. The monks in their meditative routines, the locals offering their prayers, and the occasional tourists marveling at the temple's beauty—all became subjects of my candid shots. Rong Shan Temple was not just a place of worship but a lively stage where the drama of life played out in its most unguarded and genuine forms.

Through the decades, as the city evolved, Rong Shan Temple remained a constant, timeless muse for my photography. It became a place where I could blend the past with the present, capturing the essence of Taipei's soul. The temple’s intricate carvings, the wafting incense, and the echoing chants provided a serene backdrop to the bustling life outside its walls.

Rong Shan Temple is more than just a historical site; it's a testament to the enduring spirit of Taipei and a cherished chapter in my photographic journey

Melbourne Candid Series #252 Prahan Square, Prahan

 

Nike fan for sure. I am testing out ultra-wide angle lens for street photography. It is too hard to use and too many distracting details are included in the frame unnecessarily.

Prahan, Melbourne

Sony A7RIV

Laowa 9mm f5.6

Check out Candid 113

Melbourne Candid Series #151

 

Slam Dunk!

Smash.

Beach Road, St Kilda

Pentax K20D

FA 80-200mm f2.8

Candid Street Photography Gallery

Melbourne Candid Series #419 Elizabeth St

 

After testing out most focal lengths for street photography, I still prefer 24mm the best. Ideally it would be 35mm that does the best in the past experiences. I just have not invested in a 35mm prime anymore. 

Sony A7RIV

FE 24mm f1.4 GM

Check out Candid 253