Photo Assignment Week 2 – Part 2

Here are the last three images from this weeks assignment.

Leeds University campus is an eclectic mix of architecture, filled with loads of courtyards and nooks and crannies. I could spend ages photographing the place. This is at the end of the Marjorie and Arnold Ziff building and I walk through here every time I go to the University. I like the framing of this one.

Once past the spot in the photo above, you find yourself here. I’ve almost tripped up here several times – thankfully not fallen flat on my face yet – but I love this space. Not sure this is as strong as it could be though. It calls for another attempt.

This last one is my favourite. Taken from the bus stop outside 181 Woodhouse Lane, I looked through the bus stop and thought, ‘that would be an interesting shot.’ I waited for about 5 minutes before a cyclist came by without a convoy of buses in the way and got the shot. Very pleased with this one.

I really enjoyed this assignment, and though I was more in my comfort zone, it did make me think more about the composition and waiting patiently for the right moment. For the first time, I understood what Cartier-Bresson was talking about. I’ve certainly gained a greater appreciation for his way of seeing the world.

Photo Assignment Week 2 – Part 1

The assignment for this week was ‘Decisive Moment’, based on Cartier-Bresson’s famous photographic philosophy. This was more familiar territory for me as it’s an area of photography that I’ve drifted into and quite enjoy. That said, I feel as if I’m just starting to find my way in what many call ‘street photography’. The added challenge to the brief was to use elements to lead the eye into the image and to give a sense of depth.
Anyway, here are the first three pics.

I decided to stage the first shot with the help of a few friends from work. I think they were a bit nervous about being directed by me and I was a bit nervous about directing them. This is shot in a courtyard by the Merrion Centre in Leeds. (I’ll have a couple more shots from here later in the week.) I like it, but it could have been better. In fact it was suggested a landscape version of this might have been better. I think that is probably right.

I decided that staging a shot wasn’t for me. I like to grab shots as I see them so i went out to stalk a few places with my camera. This was the first I saw. These guys were filming a video so I waited and grabbed a quick shot. The colours work well here.

One thing I’ve noticed, especially around the Leeds Met, are a multitude of stickers on lights and signs. I framed this one and waited for someone to come into the frame. Got this on the second attempt and I quite like it.

That’s three down, and three to go, but they can wait until tomorrow.

Timing is Everything

Rule 23: Timing is everything

When I read that rule back to myself, my first thought is Cartier Bresson’s famous line about the decisive moment. Personally, I’ve never subscribed to that school of thought. There are, after all, many decisive moments. I do get what he’s trying to say though, and some moments are better than others.
My rule has a broader application. For example, take the photo below…

This is a shot of Bolton Abbey in Yorkshire, taken earlier today – a gorgeous sunny day with crisp October air.

This is a shot I’ve tried to capture three times now. Each time is a little disappointing, but this is the view of the Abbey I like the best. Only trouble is, no matter what I tried, there was no getting away from that sun shining brightly in the sky. (This was actually one of the best of the bunch!)

This is where timing comes in. This was shot in the early afternoon, so the sun was high in the sky. If I’d have shot this earlier in the day, then it might not have been such a problem. Having said that, Bolton Abbey is close by so I have that luxury, but sometimes you don’t and you have to make the best of the hand you’re dealt, like today, but today was about more than just the Abbey. More of that later.