GK PHOTOGRAPHY 2014: A Spin Around Kuching Street

“...I personally don't think that street photography has to be candid. I think that the best street photographs are the candid ones - but I don't think that it needs to be a necessary element...” by Eric Kim.

PD#4: A spin around Kuching Streets

It was a great sunny Sunday and I was delighted to be able to meet this amazing friend again from KL, the master of Olympus (haha kidding!), Robin Wong! And of course, what Robin likes to say, the beautiful people of Kuching are gathered together for this photography hangout and sharing session. Here I would like to thank Robin again for making this possible, because we Kuching people love this kind of stuff!! The event was organized by Olympus Malaysia, which means there were plenty of new toys for me to play!

Great sunny Sunday with clear skies. Splendid!! EM5 and ZD25/1.8.

1/60s | F/22.0 | ISO 250 | 25mm

That new 25mm lens is sharp sharp sharp!! The contrast is very good, better thant the 17mm for my taste. Zooming in at the dog's fur just blew me away by looking at the amount of detail with it!!! EM5 and ZD25/1.8.

1/4000s | F/1.8 | ISO 200 | 25mm

EM5 with ZD25/1.8.

1/1250s | F/5.6 | ISO 200 | 25mm

The route we had taken for the day was Gambir Street firstly, then India Street, and finally Ewe Hai Street (Carpenter Street). Notice that I quoted a phrase by the famous international street photographer, Eric Kim? Street photography is not only about candids. He assured that numerous great street photographs came from capturing the moment, while some sort of involvement to that particular moment added some unique intimacy to the photographs. By encountering strangers head-on, this kind of intimacy is created, and we as the photographer seems to be in the moment too. It was so kind of Robin to share his thoughts and experience on how to approach street strangers for his signature street portraits, and sure I learnt a lot from him! Let's take a look at some of the photos experimented by me (apologize for my first stranger-approaching attempt!!).

Portrait of stranger #1. This shot cost me lots. I literally begged for her portrait (Nah, kidding!). Yes, she agreed to let me take a shot of her, but she kept turning her head here and there because her friends (one of them behind) kept teasing her. Anyway, the FAST AF of Olympus got me this shot, Bravo! EM5 with ZD25/1.8.

1/160s | F/1.8 | ISO 200 | 25mm

Portrait of stranger #2. How I wished I framed this shot more carefully, to portray who he really is. He suffers from dwarfism and he is a really kind nice guy. :) EM1 with ZD25/1.8.

1/750s | F/1.8 | ISO 200 | 25mm

Portrait of stranger #3. Looking at Uncle Robin?!?? This shot was testing the camera's AF tracking to a certain extent, that kind of event movement one will usually get in weddings. The kid was walking towards me at a constant pace. The AF cope with it well, eyes are tack sharp = Good! EM1 with ZD25/1.8.

1/4000s | F/1.8 | ISO 200 | 25mm

Portrait of stranger #4. Shopkeeper, finally there was someone willing to smile at me! EM1 with ZD25/1.8.

1/180s | F/1.8 ISO 200 | 25mm

Portrait of stranger #5. Why aren't you looking at me?!? EM1 with ZD25/1.8.

1/125s | F/1.8 | ISO 200 | 25mm

Portrait of stranger #6. Oh yes!! Finally!! That googly eyes I wanna see!! Zooming into the eyes, I'm able to see myself, that's how quality a M4/3 sensor is. Comparing back to back with my D700, I can't justify the weight and price of the system anymore. EM1 with ZD45/1.8.

1/1500s | F/1.8 | ISO 200 | 45mm

Portrait of stranger #7. My favorite shot of the day! Processed through ColorEfexPro4. EM1 with ZD45/1.8.

1/1500s | F/1.8 | ISO 200 | 45mm

Besides the tips and tricks on "how to shoot street portraits", Robin shared his experience on looking at light and colors too: how the light came in from which direction? What will be the final result if it is this kind of light? How to look at subject of interest from the perspective of color: color contrast, primary colors, cool V.S. warm? Robin posted an article that explains different kinds of light, interesting light, that is often available, and when to get those light and also how, here. He shared exactly the same thing that day with us.

Side light #1. Light coming in from the front. EM1 with ZD25/1.8.

1/90s | F/6.7 | ISO 200 | 25mm

Side light #2. EM1 with ZD25/1.8.

1/60s | F/6.7 | ISO 1000 | 25mm

Side light #3. EM1 with ZD25/1.8.

1/180s | F/1.8 | ISO 200 | 25mm

Color contrasts between red and green. EM5 with ZD25/1.8.

1/100s | F/3.5 | ISO 200 | 25mm

Mixture of colors. EM5 with ZD25/1.8.

1/125s | F/1.8 | ISO 200 | 25mm

Another mixture of colors. EM1 with ZD25/1.8.

1/250s | F/1.8 | ISO 200 | 25mm

Primary colors: red. EM1 with ZD45/1.8.

1/8000s | F/1.8 | ISO 160 | 45mm

It was really a fun fun day, and my knowledge with street photography advanced into another level (I am never a good street photographer and I am shy!!). It was really a great time shooting along the way with Robin, as his techniques inspired me in different ways. And thanks for poisoning me with the 25mm, 45mm and EM1 too. Hehehe! -GK-

More Photos...

Stranger: "No motorcycles parking...what should I do?" EM1 with ZD25/1.8.