I have acted and been around movies, TV, and theater. So I am mapping three film set jobs onto street photography: the location scout who finds the places, the set designer who builds the scene, and the set dresser who fills the frame. Today I am playing all three.
I am all about filling the frame. I always like a good scene before the light. The scene has to be there before the light can be shot. I like people coming or going in the frame. Entering or leaving means story.
I have moved past run and gun New York style street, where the only consideration is focus. Background, light, and shadow matter most now. Finding a good background and setting the scene is the most important thing.
Walking Knoxville today: intersections, crosswalks, dotted lines. A high contrast scene I may render black and white. A staircase with green grass, natural framing, widen to include the building. The farmers market, a street photography staple. Color coordination, a blue truck with an orange construction awning. An orange ladder with a worker up it. I am not hoping the guy falls. It would be a nice movie scene, but kidding. A building reflection in a car window to pull in post. A detour sign. Strong Alley and the famous Dolly Parton mural. Queen D, baby. Queen of East Tennessee, queen of the world, Beyonce please.
Gear: the Canon R8 with the extension grip I just bought. The pinky rest made this a very comfortable carry. The 70-200 to compress frames. I love shooting long lens street photography.
Damn it. I bet you I missed my only shot.
A little walkie talkie on what I see and why I shoot the things that I do.
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