Spray and Praying

Walkies in Santa Eularia (IBIZA)

So listening to the interesting John Free last evening regarding taking that 'one' shot. I agree totally with him when he says that he would rather come home with 36 shots that work, than have to wade through 800 shots looking for the few that work.

Now of course John still shoots film, as do I. And I am sure this has something to do with this philosophy. At least this is what works for me. I try to get the shot at the first go (sometimes 3 or 4 shots are needed to get the correct emotion) But I also shoot differently to most people with a digital camera. Even when I do use my little Fuji digital, I still find 30 to 50 shots on my card at the end of the day. Maybe I'm just lazy. I know I don't have time to search for hours, and end up deleting 95% of the images.

Another thing that I do is keep my camera ready AT ALL TIMES!!! This means (if there is one) removing the lens cap. I never walk around with the it on. I always have the film advanced to the next frame (just be aware how you carry the camera and where the shutter release button is) I almost never walk with the camera hanging around me neck (if it is, it is usually at a gunslinger angle ready at a moments notice) I am usually pre-focused. This is usually at 4/6 feet. And I usually try to shoot at f8 to f11. This means that focus is usually spot on.

But these are all basics for street shooting with a film camera. It might seem a but fiddly especially in this day and age of the auto or P-mode. But this particular image was shot with a little point and shoot. It is auto focus and I usually have it on the P-mode. This is what I find works for me. Again it is usually set on Snap-mode (this is akin to a pre-focus mode) The Ricoh GR1 and others in the brilliant Ricoh GR film range use this to ensure that the auto focus is not hunting, and is set to the fabled 4/6 foot range.

So using this I am ready. I will be ready to take a shot a half a second after seeing it. I love this kind of shot. It has all the energy of life. And forces you to get nice and close to life. This is way this will always be one of my favourite shots. Be ready. Keep your eyes open. And take the shot. And have fun!!!

Hope you all have a great weekend, and as always, thanks.

I can also be found at

https://www.flickr.com/photos/choose_life_hcb/

http://www.streethunters.net/streethuntersindex/listing/anton-fortein

https://www.facebook.com/anton.fortein?ref=tn_tnmn

https://plus.google.com/u/0/104126857963051978234/posts



Edinburgh and the EPIC mju ii

Visitors in a old land

Some more from our recent trip to Edinburgh. I had fun with the mju ii and some colour negative film. Processed by Snappy Snaps and scanned by myself

As always, thanks for having a look. Antz

Arundel Castle and the peaceful toil

Intent

So a fortnight ago a quick visit to the South Downs and Arundel castle saw me come close to how I want to shoot. Slow down and look for the shoot I want. I have always felt that I am too rushed when out shooting. I can 'see' what I want. However, I always feel too rushed into firing the shutter.

It seemed that your man tending these gardens was a metaphor for how I had to approach my photography. As a keen balcony gardener, I enjoyed the anticipation of waiting for the seeds to germinate. I have the patience to wait for the seedling to spring up and shoot skyward. 

Seeing this fella slowly weed and looking so content gave me a moment to pause and think about my shooting. I walked around his position as he calmly went about his morning. I felt as calm as he appeared. I waited and looked and observed. I made a few exposures. And kept on looking for the 'one' I wanted.

Then, when I shot this one, I knew I had the shot I was looking for. 

et le travail du Seigneur

This was shot on my much loved FP4 plus in my little Leica iii(a), with my 35mm Color-Skopar and the Universal viewfinder from Leica. These were developed in some Adox APH-09 and scanned on a CanoScan 9000F.

Here are some of the 'sighting' shoots.

Thanks for having a look, and happy snapping. A

Arundel Castle and the Chapel of St Nicholas

The Gear, or the Intent

So I've used already posted using this subtitle (The Gear, or the Intent) Do I shoot what I am drawn to, or does my equipment dictate what I shoot?
Last time (see blog dated 2015_04_01) I spoke about the actually camera body, and how that affects the style of shooting. I week or so ago, we visited Arundel Castle and with the amazing Chapel of St Nicholas on it's grounds. As I had an unfinished roll of Ilford FP4 plus in my little Leica iii(a), I popped on the Voilgtlander 35 Color-Skopar and the Universal viewfinder from Leica and packed that in my bag, along with a few extra rolls of the FP4 plus. These were developed in some Adox APH-09 and scanned on a CanoScan 9000F.

Going into the chapel of St Nicholas you get a sense of time passing slowly. On the scale of a human life, this is deep-time. This complex was built in around 1000 years ago. Yes 1000 years ago. That it is still standing is very impressive and was very humbling to be able to walk around inside and breath in the history. 

Now, I know I could get technically better shots in this low-light space (and maybe someday I will swop-out for a high ISO digital system) But, for now THIS is how I felt when walking through the chapel. It felt mysterious and dark. It felt close-in and intimate. Was I able to convey those adjectives? Did my equipment enable me to shoot what I felt? Do these images convey my intent? I can't say. That is not my purpose. I have to shoot what I shoot and how I shoot it. They job of critic is out of my hands. All I can do is produce what I feel. I am one of the lucky ones I feel in that I have the tools to visualise what I feel. 

The Long Sleep

Watchful keep

Mother and Child

Last rest

Side-by-side forever

Holy Centurion

As always, thanks for having a look, and happy shooting. Antz

Forms of Edinburgh

When in Scotland...

All images shot on some Kodak and processed by Snappy Snaps, and scanned by myself. I was using an Olympus Stylus

Noon Gun

Quiet Stroll

Meeting Place

Service Delayed (Right Adam)

St Mary Chapel

As always, thanks for having a look. Happy shooting all. Antz

Edinburgh and Forms of Japan

So, I've stopped buying 'street photography' books...

This has nothing to do with the Land of the Rising Sun, and everything to do with how Michael Kenna's book Forms of Japan has affected me. How it's made me think about what and how I shoot. 

But, first we had to fly to Edinburgh for a weekend out of the Big Smoke. A couple of images shot in the airport. I have about 4 rolls of FP4 Plus that I want to process in some Adox APH-09.... but that will have to wait a while. This images are shot on some Kodak and processed by Snappy Snaps, and scanned by myself.

Delayed Flight

Car Park

Lovely England

Priorities

Landing

And as always, thanks for reading and happy shooting. A

Two Icicles and style

The Gear, or the Intent

So I've been thinking about how my choice of camera on any given day affects my style of shooting for that day. Does the type of camera affect my style of shooting? Looking at my contact sheets I do get a sense that it does to a certain extent.

I find that using my compact allows me to get closer and at a lower angle. This, I find gives the image a more intimate 'feel', a snapshot if you will. But then I also like what the regular SLR, or rangefinder can provide. I get a more thoughtful approach to selecting subject and composition. Both work for me, and both deliver results I enjoy.

The Little Prince @ Covent Garden 2015

The Back of the Crowd @ Piccadilly Circus 2015

So the the question is: does my style dictate which camera I use and what I choose to shoot, OR does the choice of camera for the day dictate my style for that particular day? I think the jury is still out on this one, but it's fun to this issue to consider.

The Ascent @ Hammersmith 2015

The Watchers @ Aldwych 2015

And as always, thanks for reading and happy shooting. A