Sunday, April 13, 2008

POINT & SHOOT STREET PHOTOGRAPHY

As much as I love using my dSLR, I never leave home without my point & shoot camera. I always have it in my hand, ready to shoot anything at any time whenever walking around the streets of Manila.

Point & shoot cameras are usually about the size of a cell phone, and thus, small and discreet enough which many people find not too intimidating when you take their picture. Moreover, with it, I simply aim and shoot. I don't have to configure a number of settings as I do with a dSLR, which at times can result to my missing the most sought-after "decisive moments."

These are some of the scenes I captured with my Canon IXUS 65 in Quiapo yesterday.

The father and daughter taking a nap right in the midst of Plaza Miranda's hustle and bustle is obviously my favorite, while the shot of the block of ice comes next because of the cool respite that it denotes, especially these days when the sweltering summer heat has been overwhelming Manila. The fortune teller whose getup reminds of the 80s recording artist Cindy Lauper, I must admit, is the most intriguing.

So to all photography newbies: no need to wait until you get a dSLR. Your cell phone's camera or a borrowed point & shoot is good enough to get you started. The most important thing is that you're out there shooting to your heart's delight.

Enjoy!

This is the first of the Point & Shoot Trilogy Series

Part 2 of the series

Part 3 of the series

posted by Señor Enrique at 7:50 AM

36 Comments:

Anonymous said...: Beautiful photos in black and white! Love the first one. :}; April 13, 2008 9:05 AM
Anonymous said...: PNS can deliver awesome photos but somehow a lot of newbies think that only dSLR can provide them w/extremely beautiful photos. I still walk around w/my old Olympus which is 3.2 MP and I love it!

:D; April 13, 2008 9:14 AM
Señor Enrique said...: That is true, Kyels.

Of course, nothing beats a dSLR especially when doing more intricate or artsy photographs. But when content is more important (as in photojournalism) than a more carefully contrived shot, p&s cameras are at par with dSLRs.

However, p&s cameras are not advisable on low light situations, unless of course, you don't mind using its built-in flash system.; April 13, 2008 9:32 AM
Señor Enrique said...: Thanks, Rhoda :); April 13, 2008 9:32 AM
Anonymous said...: All I have is a point and shoot compact camera but I am very happy with it. It does the job for me; but of course, I am not a pro and therefore my level of photographic satisfaction is way below par LOL.

I toyed with the idea of getting a dSLR but I am deterred by its size and complexity. I am more of a quick draw, shotgun style photo shooter - just shoot the moment and bahala na kung ano ang lumabas LOL. I am not a photographer, I am a picture-taker - I don't think, I just shoot. However, I have the greatest respect for those who take their time and spend a lot of thought AND produce photos you can never get tired of looking and finding so many messages in them.; April 13, 2008 11:08 AM
Sidney said...: I first thought it was a father grieving the death of his daughter...

I think photography should be fun in the first place. Equipment is important but should take a backseat.
I would even go as far as saying the results aren't even that important. What matters is the pleasure of photography.

In your pictures I can see you have fun !; April 13, 2008 3:47 PM
-= dave =- said...: Ah yes, it's better to get that decisive moment.

That first photo has great impact.; April 13, 2008 4:03 PM
nutart said...: Point and shoot is a new term for me :-)!
Your b/w pictures, Eric, are like stills of a black and white feature film. Even the block of ice (haha!)...make that, stills of an independent film. The first photo made me read your text carefully because I thought the girl was dead and the father mourning over her. Hindi pala (relief!)...
I have coffeetable books of turn-of-the-century Manila photos. Your pictures reminded me of them, especially the laborer/cargadores.; April 13, 2008 5:24 PM
Señor Enrique said...: A number of folks I know who got themselves a dSLR basically toyed with their cameras during the first couple of months, bertN. Afterwards, they lost interest in lugging around their dSLRs and accessories.

But nonetheless, there are those who make good use of their investments and pursue photography with admirable passion, though not always professionally.

Enjoy your point & shoot!; April 13, 2008 7:37 PM
Señor Enrique said...: Thanks, Dave!

I was really impressed at how the father was also able to nod off while securely holding his napping daughter :); April 13, 2008 7:38 PM
Señor Enrique said...: I did, Sidney ... as always :)

Actually, for Saturday's rally at Plaza Miranda, I used a point & shoot for a change. As you know, I was never one to be intimidated by other press folks with impressive gear :)

Also, I knew that event wasn't going to that big a draw so, in order to add a bit of excitement, I used a point & shoot and challenged myself to come up with interesting shots. These images were taken before the arrival of the protesters.; April 13, 2008 7:43 PM
Anonymous said...: I still love my first point & shoot digital camera, senor. I got it four years ago and it never fails me weather im shooting from above, on land, or even under the sea.

The crash course that I got way back then at Nayong Pilipino Camera Club proved to be very helpful in composing a picture.; April 13, 2008 7:43 PM
Señor Enrique said...: our comments about independent black & white films made me look at this photo essay from another perspective, Bernadette. And I like what I saw ... hehehe. Back in NYC, I loved going to those foreign film festivals ... from those by Federico Fellini to Francois Trauffaut. Hopefully, I'm now able to project through my photography the impressions those fine films made on me.

Perhaps, someday I'd get a chance to check out those coffeetable books, Bernadette.

Yes, that top photo can be deceiving ... but it's actually innocuous -- just a father and daughter succumbing to the summer heat and choosing to doze it off. Extremely dramatic, di ba? ... hehehe.

Many thanks, Bernadette!; April 13, 2008 8:03 PM
Señor Enrique said...: You're certainly one fine photographer, Mandaragat .. and your underwater photography is simply marvelous. As I've once said, you're doing something I can only dream of :)

Nayong Pilipino Camera Club, if I'm not mistaken is still thriving ... and very well at that!; April 13, 2008 8:07 PM
Anonymous said...: I like these photos a lot! Captured moments indeed.

I remember having much fun with an old point and shoot camera - very reliable, portable, and nothing too complicated!; April 14, 2008 3:56 AM
Peregrino said...: I know, I know, your write up is about SLR cameras but your photo subjects strike a sad chord.; April 14, 2008 4:43 AM
Señor Enrique said...: Many thanks, Jo Anne.

Wishing you continued enjoyment with your point & shoot camera :); April 14, 2008 5:07 AM
Señor Enrique said...: The sweltering heat of that afternoon certainly affected many people; hence, their seemingly lethargic disposition, Alterdecer.

But nonetheless, there were other livelier scenes as well which I will post next :); April 14, 2008 5:12 AM
Unknown said...: love the b&w! very nice post!; April 14, 2008 10:33 AM
Yam Manuel said...: I also keep my Digital Ixus 65 handy for photo moments. My P&S hasn't failed me.

Great B&W Shots!; April 14, 2008 12:10 PM
escape said...: i agree. i don't have dslr yet but using my point and shoot camera also helps me get a few good shots. what is important is the connection between the photographer and its subject. i learned this from oggie (www.oggieblog.blogspot.com) a professional photgrapher.

you have nice photographs.; April 14, 2008 3:17 PM
gmirage said...: I received a gift from hubby, a DSLR! To my disappointment, I still find myself carrying my 5mp-f717 more, its big having a carl zeiss lens but it is actually a PNS, it captures the photos as how I like it. It may be because I'm not used to the DSLR yet but I would definitely have the f717 longer (it broke my heart when hubby sold our f505v which has introduced me to macrography).

I agree to the points you tackled SenorE and the photos attest to that! Great set as always...True, it is not the camera, its the photographer!; April 14, 2008 3:19 PM
Unknown said...: i love b&w photos. the one on top is the best. and you're right, the fortune teller is a cindy lauper fan! hahahaha i still use my PNS...i find dSLRs a bit intimidating.:D; April 14, 2008 5:11 PM
mgaputonimimi said...: "to your heart's delight.."

i love the line..

i agree. digi cams are reliable on capturing moments without getting the attention on your subject..

i'm also using ixus. ^_^; April 14, 2008 7:41 PM
Señor Enrique said...: Thanks, Luke! Appreciate it :); April 14, 2008 9:11 PM
Señor Enrique said...: Aha! A fellow IXUS 65 user you are, Yam :)

Many thanks! Glad you like them.; April 14, 2008 9:12 PM
Señor Enrique said...: That's a good point, donG - "the connection between the photographer and whatever subject he so chooses, whether people or objects or flowers and fruits."

Many thanks for the URL, I will definitely check it out. I consider myself a student of photography for life; hence, appreciate reading anything that will help me continually hone my skills :)

Again, many thanks!; April 14, 2008 9:15 PM
Señor Enrique said...: Carl Zeiss are superb lenses, Gizelle! Your fortunate to have one at your disposal :)

You're also very lucky to have received a dSLR as a gift. Awesome!

Many thanks!; April 14, 2008 9:17 PM
Señor Enrique said...: But weren't you supposed to be getting a dSLR soon, Luna?

For those of you who are challenged to delve more into photography, of course, I highly recommend getting a dSLR. It does offer certain features and option in which a P&S camera doesn't have at all.

Aint that fortune teller a leftover of the '80s? Hehehehe!

Many thanks, Luna!; April 14, 2008 9:20 PM
Señor Enrique said...: Hi Mimi!

So you're an IXUS user, too, eh? Cool!

Thanks, Mimi :); April 14, 2008 9:22 PM
Anonymous said...: Great set! The first photo is compelling!; April 14, 2008 11:11 PM
dailyphotographer said...: street photography is always interesting, very candid and spontaneous. just be careful not to get your camera snatched though.; April 14, 2008 11:37 PM
Señor Enrique said...: Salamat po, Cedsaid!

Hey, congratulations on your Blog of the Week award; well-deserved!

You're one fine photographer :); April 15, 2008 7:34 AM
Señor Enrique said...: The camera comes with a long chain necklace which I wrap around my wrist. But no one seems particularly interested in it anyway. Siguro sa cell phone pa ... hehehe.

Yes, street photography is an exciting endeavor, Daily Photographer :); April 15, 2008 7:41 AM
reyd said...: Kagaganda naman ng mga letrato mo.
When I retire soon, sana I can capture also the images that surround us. Sa isip ko, kaya kong kumuha ng maganda ring larawan. Wag lang titingnan yung mga kuha ko nuon na wala sa ayos, wala sa angulo at madilim,,, in short mga palpak, kaya siguro ayaw na ipahawak ang camera sa akin. :lol:; April 25, 2008 10:46 AM
Señor Enrique said...: Maraming salamat, Reyd.

Basta practice lang lagi tulad ng gawa ko. Pagnaglalakad na ako sa downtown, hawak ko na kamera ko at ready ng mag-shoot at any time ... hehehe.; April 26, 2008 7:34 AM

Wish you were here

Sunday, April 13, 2008

POINT & SHOOT STREET PHOTOGRAPHY

36 Comments:

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