Street Photography: Old Delhi Take 1!

[KrishnenduKes]

Meandering through the streets of Old Delhi is one of the most engrossing activities for a street photographer. Time and personal mood permitting, I try to make a sojourn there to take photographs. Sometimes they turn out fruitful, at other times I just come back after a satisfying meal at Karim's in Gali Kababiyan!

Cat Warming herself on a chilly winter morning under pots cooking biryani:

http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/507/medium/Biryani_Winter_Cat.jpg

Defiance
http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/507/medium/Defiance.jpg
Heavy load cart loader puller.

Doggy Warmth
http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/507/medium/Dogs.jpg

Flower Power
http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/507/medium/Flower_wholesaler.jpg
A flower wholesale dealer in Old Delhi.

All Smiles
http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/507/medium/Joking.jpg
Dry fruit vendors cracking jokes!

Frothing Hot Milk
http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/507/medium/Milk_shop.jpg

Notebook seller
http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/507/medium/Notebook_Vendor_copy.jpg

Multitasking Samosa Pakora Vendor:
http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/507/medium/Samosa_Vendor_copy.jpg

Strong Shoulders
http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/507/medium/Strong_Shoulders.jpg
Heavy labour intensive workers carrying sack loads of grain at the mandi.

Zalébi Maker
http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/507/medium/Zalebi_Maker_copy.jpg

Zalébi & Pakora Vendor.
http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/507/medium/Zalebi_Vendor1.jpg

Old Time Watch Repair Man:
http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/507/medium/Watchmaker.jpg
Have done a whole series on this very interesting man. Will present them in sometime.

I hope you enjoy watching these. Critique is welcome.

[powerslave]

First impressions: Really great shots. They have a very natural feel to it (as do all your other shots) as opposed to a very plastic, PPed look. Very pleasing to the eye and bring the focus to the subject rather than the photo itself.

[anvancy-(macro analyst)]

Stunning shots.

but talking somewhat on focus part i would have loved if those jelabis were in focus which in fact is not.now if u wanna potray the person rather than those then its ur style,but i would have liked the other way round.

[Aryan]

These are some good shots.

One query: In most of the shots you have used a wide angle lens (probably the 28mm?). So, how do you go about shooting people? I mean, don't they feel intrigued or even a little "disturbed" by that lens pointing towards them? How do they react?

[KrishnenduKes]

First impressions: Really great shots. They have a very natural feel to it (as do all your other shots) as opposed to a very plastic, PPed look. Very pleasing to the eye and bring the focus to the subject rather than the photo itself.

Thanks Manas. Now I will wait for your 2nd impressions.

Stunning shots.

but talking somewhat on focus part i would have loved if those jelabis were in focus which in fact is not.now if u wanna potray the person rather than those then its ur style,but i would have liked the other way round.

About the Zalébi part, I partly agree with you. I wanted both the subject AND the object in full focus, the cook and his product, both Zalébis and the "Maker". Which is why I used the 24mm and pushed the ISO to 640 and closed down the aperture to f5.0 at 1/200sec to freeze the action. But it seems that I did not manage to pull it through.

[anvancy-(macro analyst)]

Thanks Manas. Now I will wait for your 2nd impressions.



About the Zalébi part, I partly agree with you. I wanted both the subject AND the object in full focus, the cook and his product, both Zalébis and the "Maker". Which is why I used the 24mm and pushed the ISO to 640 and closed down the aperture to f5.0 at 1/200sec to freeze the action. But it seems that I did not manage to pull it through.

then somebody must have pushed u!hehe.

[KrishnenduKes]

These are some good shots.

One query: In most of the shots you have used a wide angle lens (probably the 28mm?). So, how do you go about shooting people? I mean, don't they feel intrigued or even a little "disturbed" by that lens pointing towards them? How do they react?

Very pertinent question. Maybe we should begin a street photography experiences in the techniques section.

I use the 24mm on FF. Which is an exciting effect. And yes, I do go VERY close to people. I have a learned a few things going out on photography at such places with Saurabh; he used to tell me, "You cannot do street photography if you are timid." Then I saw him work several times. And I also saw Gurinder Osan, also a wire photographer for AP, at work. And I tried shedding some of my timidity. And Old Delhi is one wonderful place. People there are really nice. If you are amicable, nice and keep taking pictures, they will not bother you and keep doing their work. In the meanwhile you can also strike a conversation and keep him going and you keep shooting. Not being aggressive and being patient and keep clicking, and your subject is already at ease.

To see the kind of work that Gurinder Osan does and how close he gets to people and yet take a stunning photograph, here is one example:

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2008/04/28/business/worldbusiness/28oil600.jpg

Another example of him at work
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2192/1690644642_eb71a1bd16.jpg?v=0
Gurinder's work for WHO.

I find both works to be quite stunning and shot at quite close quarters.

[Aryan]

Both the shots are awesome, especially the first one! Terrific! Yes, a 'technique' thread on street photography would be nice. But nonetheless, thanks for sharing the technique; perhaps I can try my hands at it some-day real soon.

[pradeep30]

Hi bro

Nice shots , Very subject oriented . Its like there are lot of stories behind each character that you chose . But getting these picks in the middle of a market crowd , That's some thing to be more appreciated . If you could explain a little more on the reaction of the people around . Would be helpful for others to try stuff like this without getting belted . Crazy people at times cant say :)

[Aryan]

Another little query, which comes to mind: Did you use a wide-angle lens (24mm in this case) because you wanted to bring everything in the frame? I mean, ofcourse that is one of the reasons, but how would a 50mm lens perform in such a situation, I wonder.

[KrishnenduKes]

Another little query, which comes to mind: Did you use a wide-angle lens (24mm in this case) because you wanted to bring everything in the frame? I mean, ofcourse that is one of the reasons, but how would a 50mm lens perform in such a situation, I wonder.

I think that it is time for the techniques thread now! :) Maybe you can start it with some of your photographs of the India Gate and your experiences and difficulties faced and others will start contributing to it.

[Aryan]

I think that it is time for the techniques thread now! :) Maybe you can start it with some of your photographs of the India Gate and your experiences and difficulties faced and others will start contributing to it.
Yes, I think a dedicated thread in this would be of great help for a newbie like me. I have started a new thread regarding the same, please have a look.

Thanks.

[KrishnenduKes]

Some words for Street Photography here:
http://www.thephotographer.in/darkroom/showpost.php?p=1430&postcount=2

[archistar]

A very nice set there Ken Da... all the ppl are with there most natural expressions....

[Vicky]

Great series there Ken. In my opinion this type of indulgent and in-your-face Street Photography is one of the toughest decrees of Photography. Hats off to you:)

My favorite's this one:

All Smiles
http://www.thephotographer.in/galleries/data/507/medium/Joking.jpg

[KrishnenduKes]

A very nice set there Ken Da... all the ppl are with there most natural expressions....

Thanks Archi. I try to blend and be unobtrusive to get these people's expressions.

Great series there Ken. In my opinion this type of indulgent and in-your-face Street Photography is one of the toughest decrees of Photography. Hats off to you:)


Thanks Vikash. Your words have inspired me... Next free time, I will try even more to get stuff like this.

[Bibudesh]

@ken- I am a novice into Street photography, but fortunately I can admire them. Liked all the shots and best was the watch repair guy.

After seeing ur foto I am able to understand different aspect of photography and now I know that Photos can have potential impact even if its untouched from digital effects and post processing ..

Lot to learn from you :)