Robert M Poole Posted July 4, 2016 Share #1 Posted July 4, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) Good morning, From time to time I like to give myself a project to try and enhance my craft and keep me interested. This year my project is street portraits. It definitely puts one outside of one's comfort zone. My approach is simple, I look around for interesting characters, approach them and ask can I take their portrait. I have only been declined once (a nun who was praying) it is disappointing but important to respect this even when it means missing a fantastic shot! Most people are actually really happy to be asked, I like to chat a little whilst I am shooting to set people at ease and get more relaxed photos. People have even thanked me for taking time to talk to them which is really nice. I always show them the shot after on the LCD and tell them my website address to see the image later. I'm thinking of having some business cards printed to make this easier. I like to shoot wide open to get separation. One of the staff at Leica Store Manchester gave me the tip of focusing on the eye then moving your head slightly back and forward to find focus rather than use the ring (I'm sure people already know this but i thought it was a good tip). I like to shoot half a dozen frames whilst doing this to ensure focus is on the eye not slightly out. Though I do sometimes miss shots still and kick myself afterwards Anyway, here is one from a rather wet day in Kendal in the Lake District UK Street Portrait Kendal by Robert Michael Poole, on Flickr C/C always welcome. Thanks for looking Rob More street portraits can be seen on my website here: https://robertpoolephotography.com/portfolio/street-portraits/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 4, 2016 Posted July 4, 2016 Hi Robert M Poole, Take a look here Street Portraits . I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
GLOBETROTTER Posted July 4, 2016 Share #2 Posted July 4, 2016 Great portrait and B&W Superb DoF Nice guys the stuff of MAN leica store Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuny Posted July 4, 2016 Share #3 Posted July 4, 2016 Terrific. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hiles Posted July 4, 2016 Share #4 Posted July 4, 2016 Very good. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iduna Posted July 4, 2016 Share #5 Posted July 4, 2016 Rob, thanks for your story and your way pays off. This portrait is fascinating and probably bears more than one story. Keep going and show us more! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bateleur Posted July 6, 2016 Share #6 Posted July 6, 2016 Great portrait, looking forward to the rest of the series. Regards Charles Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEB Posted July 6, 2016 Share #7 Posted July 6, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) Excellent. Mark B Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert M Poole Posted July 6, 2016 Author Share #8 Posted July 6, 2016 Thanks for all the comments. It's a project I'm enjoying, I've usually got my seven month old son with me which I think makes me seem more approachable there are a few other shots which I posted on an earlier thread from the Leamington Spa Peace Festival ✌ which can also be seen on the street portrait page of my website Www.robertpoolephotography.com Sent from my E6653 using Tapatalk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert M Poole Posted July 30, 2016 Author Share #9 Posted July 30, 2016 One from The Manchester Jazz Festival today. I'm always amazed at how friendly people are. This gent thanked me for taking his photo. All that Jazz by Robert Michael Poole, on Flickr Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
XVarior Posted July 31, 2016 Share #10 Posted July 31, 2016 Well done. Street portraiture is so rewarding. I love doing it and make new friends along the way. www.rodriguezahr.com Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert M Poole Posted July 31, 2016 Author Share #11 Posted July 31, 2016 Well done. Street portraiture is so rewarding. I love doing it and make new friends along the way. www.rodriguezahr.com Thanks, I was going through a bit of a slump and it has really reinvigorated my photography. I love your site by the way! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GLOBETROTTER Posted August 1, 2016 Share #12 Posted August 1, 2016 Good one and Great B&W Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
farnz Posted August 2, 2016 Share #13 Posted August 2, 2016 Rob, A couple of nice and interesting portraits and I like your black and white processing. One thing that I've found that works for me (and please don't take this as patronising - it's not meant to be) is a deliberate choice of words when enquiring about taking someone's photo. The first answer that most people keep loaded up is "No" because they expect strangers to want something from them. So the reflex answer to the question "Can I take your picture?" is likely to be "No". But if you instead ask "Do you mind if I take your picture? and the easy (and reflex) answer is "No" then they have given you permission. I've found that subjects prefer this approach because they feel that in a small way I care about their feelings because I've asked them if they mind if I take their picture. I hope the technique works for you too if you use it. Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert M Poole Posted August 23, 2016 Author Share #14 Posted August 23, 2016 Rob, A couple of nice and interesting portraits and I like your black and white processing. One thing that I've found that works for me (and please don't take this as patronising - it's not meant to be) is a deliberate choice of words when enquiring about taking someone's photo. The first answer that most people keep loaded up is "No" because they expect strangers to want something from them. So the reflex answer to the question "Can I take your picture?" is likely to be "No". But if you instead ask "Do you mind if I take your picture? and the easy (and reflex) answer is "No" then they have given you permission. I've found that subjects prefer this approach because they feel that in a small way I care about their feelings because I've asked them if they mind if I take their picture. I hope the technique works for you too if you use it. Pete. Hi, thanks for the comments. I'll definitely give this a try. I've only been told no once, by a nun in Greece. She was stood looking out to see, it would have been a fantastic picture but I respected her wishes. Sent from my E6653 using Tapatalk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
XVarior Posted August 23, 2016 Share #15 Posted August 23, 2016 One from The Manchester Jazz Festival today. I'm always amazed at how friendly people are. This gent thanked me for taking his photo. All that Jazz by Robert Michael Poole, on Flickr I love this one a great deal. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert M Poole Posted August 23, 2016 Author Share #16 Posted August 23, 2016 Thanks! He was a great guy too and loved my m9. Just took this yesterday really happy with it. Also in a new thread here, I should have perhaps kept them on one place. http://www.l-camera-forum.com/index.php?/topic/263765-Another-street-portrait Sent from my E6653 using Tapatalk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neko Posted August 23, 2016 Share #17 Posted August 23, 2016 Beautiful portraits! I really love the first one. Keep the good job going and show us more. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert M Poole Posted August 24, 2016 Author Share #18 Posted August 24, 2016 Thanks for all the positive comments. Here's one from last night. His name was Mauro and him and his brother ran a ride at a small amusement park. Great guys who told us we could ride free whenever we wanted. My wife is really shocked by how positive people are regarding having their portraits taken. Sent from my E6653 using Tapatalk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
XVarior Posted August 25, 2016 Share #19 Posted August 25, 2016 Thanks, I was going through a bit of a slump and it has really reinvigorated my photography. I love your site by the way! thanks for looking there Robert. Glad you liked it. If you ever come to Lebanon, let me know, here, street portraits is easy, people never say no:-) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert M Poole Posted August 26, 2016 Author Share #20 Posted August 26, 2016 thanks for looking there Robert. Glad you liked it. If you ever come to Lebanon, let me know, here, street portraits is easy, people never say no:-)I'd love to take you up on that offer one day! We can go visit the shepherds! Here is one more. Sent from my E6653 using Tapatalk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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