Taking Steps to Improve on Street Portraits

My recent street portrait session took place outside the NY Public library, a location that has served me very well this season and that I enjoy visiting. This time, I teamed up with Tia, a fantastic NY model with professional experience. As in all my previous street portrait shoots, I photographed my subject in ambient light using a short telephoto lens. In addition to digital, I shot with two film cameras; my Yashica Mat EM loaded with Fomapan 400, and my Canon ESO 620 loaded with Kodak Portra 160, all images on this post, however, are from my full frame DSLR using a 50MM F1.4, and 85mm F1.8.

030319-photo-shoot-tatiana-ny-128.jpg
030319-photo-shoot-tatiana-ny-160.jpg

There were some things I wanted to try in this photo shoot with Tia; like having all limbs visible, and the subject well balanced in the frame; things that may sound simple enough, but are easily overseen when you’re in the heat of the moment. Also, paying attention to hands and avoid cliché poses were in my list of things I didn’t want to do. It was essential to let Tia be natural, and I did the best I could to focus on whatever she was doing. Most often, before starting a shoot I try to communicate what sort of photos I’m trying to make, and on this photo shoot with Tia, there was no exception.

030319-photo-shoot-tatiana-ny-426.jpg
030319-photo-shoot-tatiana-ny-527.jpg