Feed the Pigeons

I happened on this scene and was fascinated watching this man who obviously fed the pigeons regularly. He had that big bag of food that's hanging on the hydrant, and he timed how he threw the food into the air. The one pigeon seems freeze-framed in the middle of the food in the air. I wish that car hadn't been there. If I could have stayed longer, I would have practiced different settings, changing the aperture and shutter speed and spent more time practicing how to tell this story. I've been thinking more and more about street photography and how I treat it like a moment in time when I shoot what I see. But Peter Turnley says it's making an image not "taking a shot". He prefers to create rather than to take. He said if you have access to people or settings that are interesting, don't just walk by and grab a shot -- stay and work that access (and clearly this man didn't mind being photographed as he gave me a thumbs up at one point). But, alas, I was traveling with friends who had long gone on and I had to run and catch up.

Now back to work.

[Barb]

Still a great capture of this unique street scene, Junko!

[Dianne]

It’s so interesting watching people interact with the street environment. Your friends sound like they’re not photographers…

[Junko Y]

@dide -- haha, definitely NOT and they are more than patient but at some point they just walk on and hope I catch up.

[Junko Y]

@bjywamer @dide Thanks, you two, for your supportive comments!

[Carole Sandford]

I still think it’s a great capture. A candid action shot.

[Pat Knowles]

Such an interesting picture….so much to see!

[Rob Z]

Such a super action shot

[*lynn]

fantastic timing and capture

[Dianne]

I’m sure we appreciate and notice more detail than our non-photog friends.

[Rick]

Awesome capture, even with the distractions that you mentioned. Reminds me of "Home Alone", with the lady that fed all of the pigeons.

[Jane Pittenger]

Interesting thoughts of Peter’s

[Junko Y]

@jgpittenger Hi Jane, I just did a quick edit on my own comment above because I reread it after your comment. The workshop was over the Christmas/New Years this past year and it gave me a lot tp think about in terms of being out and about on the street.

I really want to talk to you but with Taffy moving in this week and some farewell parties at my house I need to focus on that so let's talk next week!

[Junko Y]

@carole_sandford @happypat @robz @lynnz @dide @rickster549 Thank you all for your comments. I have been giving a lot of thought to taking photos on the street. I edited what I wrote above after Jane wrote to me, and it made me reflect more on how Peter described his photography not as "street" as it feels so limiting but rather "life" -- he describes himself as being an observer of life around him and how he makes an image to capture moments of the lives in public.

[Rob Z]

@jyokota So much to think about here. A whole new sphere of possible photographic experiences. I've never been game to do street photos - always afraid that it might annoy people. Maybe need to think of it as a photographic conversation - most people are happy to have a chat! :)