Unit 57: Photography and Photographic Practice

Research of other photographers work (P1, M1, D1)

Photographer: Danny Santos – Street PhotographerImage 1:

Image 2:

Image 3:

Image 4:

Theme or focus of images With these images we can see some are similar to some of the others, for example images 1 and 2 are similar and images 3 and 4 are too. Also, all of these images are taken without the people featuring in the images knowing, with street photography its about featuring people within public places, and with these images they are not posed or forced. The intention of this photographer is to capture the public naturally, without being posed. All of these images have one or two main focus points, for example in images 1 and 2 only one person in the image are looking directly into the camera while the surrounding people are unaware. All of these images are quite busy with a lot of people involved or movement occurring.

Images 3 and 4 are very similar, with most of the surrounding people in complete darkness with the main focuses of the image in the light. In images 1 and 2 we see the natural reaction of the people involved in the image, like in image 1 we see the baby looking directly at the camera, while being carried on the dads back with the rest of the family completely unaware of the photograph being taken. Again with image 2, we see 2 of the monks looking into the camera where the other is unaware. With image 3 and 4 the focus of the image is clear, like in image 3 we see the group of three friends laughing and smiling, the light falls perfectly onto the 3 and makes them stand out from the crowd that is in complete darkness of the shadows. In image 4, we see one girl where the light falls on her with the other people covered in the shadows. Also in image 2 we see monks walking through a city, this is a contrast of life styles. Monks are known as simplistic and not materialistic, where we can see then walking

through a modern city.

I think this photographer uses the technique of capturing the most natural reaction in his images, because the images look natural and genuine and captures human interaction perfectly. The images are very honest and natural and I think the use of light difference in image 3 and 4 definitely helps show the focus point of the image. I think the whole aim of the photographer is to get the most genuine images as it shows how he can capture every day interactions that we usually wouldn’t look twice at in more detail. CompositionIn images 1 and 2 the main focus point is the peoples reactions to the camera, and also the people surrounding them. Apart from the group of people that are with the main focus, aren’t really focused on, for example with image 1 the baby is the main focus, then we notice the family the baby is apart of, we don’t really focus on the people surrounding that family. So I think the photographer could have cropped the image to get rid of the rest of the people in the same area to draw more attention to the main focus point. I don’t think the photographer likes to get closer to what he wants to take a picture of because if he did, the picture wouldn’t be as natural and genuine. So I think the photographer stays at a distance and possibly zooms into what he wants to take the picture of, or crops out the rest after the picture has been taken.Techniques usedI think this photographer definitely uses a fast shutter speed, because the faster the shutter speed the faster the picture can be taken and so he can capture natural actions exactly when they happen. Someone’s facial expression could change very quickly so he would need to use a fast shutter speed for street photography.In images 3 and 4 there is definitely depth of field as the main focus points are in focus where the surrounding people are blurred out. I think the photographer uses depth of field to make the focus point as distinct as possible.Strengths & WeaknessesA strength would be that I like how this type of photography captures natural and genuine every day interactions, so they appear very natural and not posed.A weakness would be I think with images 1 and 2, particularly 2 the main focus point could be made clearer.