Recent monochrome snapshots using the harsh light to emphasise urban texture, shape and form. As always, mainly shot with Fujifilm X-T5, Fujifilm X-E3 or and an iPhone 15 and all edited in Adobe Lightroom. Recently however, the lens of choice has been a 23mm (f.1.4) lens rather than the 35mm I have been using extensively. To find out why, keep reading!
Inspiration has recently come from Joel Meyerowitz, especially from watching the 2016 documentary 'The Pulse of the Street' by Philippe Jamet (which can be seen here: https://www.thedarkroomrumour.com/en/film/joel-meyerowitz-the-pulse-of-the-street-a-documentary-film-by-philippe-jamet-new-york-usa-paris-street-photography-9-11) and his work in 1966-1967 around Europe when he started experimenting with colour and developing his own style.
As it's so easy to get caught up in the frenetic pace of a tourist town in full summer flow, Meyerowitz's slowed down, observational approach using a simple 35mm lens has been a timely reminder to simply stand back and watch the action unfold. As a user of the Fujifilm X-series cameras with a cropped sensor, a 23mm lens equates (more or less) to a 35mm lens on a full frame camera, so the Meyerowitz approach has inspired me to dig out this lesser used lens. Closely matching the field of view of the human eye, creating composition with the 23mm can be more intuitive and quicker. I have also been using manual focus methods (zone focusing) with this lens as physically it offers greater dexterity than most modern lenses, allowing faster shooting and eliminates the errors that occur when auto-focusing catches an unwanted subject (especially when dealing with reflections). So far, I have been pleased with results, so for now, the 23mm lens is staying firmly in the kit bag.
As is always tempting in the summer, colour has also started to creep into my work, further encouraged by looking at Meyerowitz's work (and which may or may not develop further in the future), but for now monochrome still remains my default format for evoking a little mystery, as well as enhancing the grittiness and texture of the scene.
Below is the book cover for Joel Meyerowitz's 'Europa 1966-1967'. And although the photographic style within the pages may seem a little dated compared to current street photography trends, a study of the compositions and documentary nature of these images reflecting a (apparently) simpler and easier time, is fascinating, and well-worth re-visiting.
Until next time, thanks for looking.
AP
