‘Jailbird’, 2022 - Street Photography Image Breakdown

I was instantly drawn to this cute little guy. After a while he warmed up to me and became a great little model. His eyes were a very sharp green, which looked great against his black coat. I really wanted to showcase his eyes and the contrast his body created. 

This makes me think of composition. I once had a conversation with a photographer when I was starting out. I asked her, “what tips can you give me about composition?” She replied….”Forget composition. I formally disagree with this approach. 

I find that, in the moment, when I am the most ardent about my composition, is when I tend to have the best outcomes in my work. Truly, it’s when I stop ‘shooting whatever I can’ and simply focus on making a piece of art I, again, have my best outcomes. 

But what is a best outcome? What is the correct metric to measure one’s success in an image. I argue that composition has a lot to do with this. In any art, hiphop music, painting, photography, we artists tend to be bound to our past. For example, where would I be if I didn’t study past masters and truly attempt to perfect, with every image, an exact composition. I want to accomplish something that is immediately pleasing to the eye, regardless of context. I think I did that here. 

What are you thoughts? Please let me know in the comments. 

'The staircase', 2018 - Street Photography Image breakdown

As an artist, I am often overly critical of myself. This image is an exact example of me being overly critical. I finished this work, edited it to look like this, and have sat on it for the past four years. I have not posted it anywhere and no one has seen the work.

I hold myself to an impossible standard sometimes. It is impossible to be able to put out a perfect image every single day. As with any practice, my artistic practice is indeed a practice. I am practicing at a craft, and with that level of practice will come mistakes. I have to remember that.

The negative space in this work is what was concerning me. This image was my first attempt at high contrast, high negative space minimalism in my work. This was one of the first images where I really explored the creative space while using post processing software.

This image was initially seen in the Museum of Modern Art in Manhattan.

In post I increased the highlights and levels of white around throughout. I used a brush the lightly darken the subject as well.

What are your thoughts?

-Maurice.

'White Plains Road', 2021 - Street Photography Image breakdown

As an adult, I see things completely differently than we did as children. Prior to my mother moving to Brooklyn, when we still lived in the buildings on Allerton Ave and Bronx Park East, I would always walk under this structure. Back then, I could not see the beauty in it. I did not understand that art could be created out of the most mundane things, if done correctly. I am happy that I have the perspective and mental clarity of adulthood to see things in images better. Now, I try to wake up and find beauty in the mundane everyday, its part of my therapy.

For editing, the starting point for this image was my preset pack ‘Sunday Stroll’, specifically the preset entitled Bronx Park East. I played with the sliders until I found something optimal. Nothing more was required. What do you think of this work?

-Maurice

‘Uptown blues’, 2021 - Street Photography Image breakdown

This is the corner Burke Avenue and White Plains Road. I had my first apartment about a block from this spot. I was 17 and wanted to prove that I could take care of myself. My mother allowed me to, as long as I stayed with an older family member. My 20 year old family was my roommate. The rent was $450 a month. I worked at a McDonald’s about 25-ish blocks away on  E 241st Street. This was also when I bought my first camera. 

My first camera was a used Olympus XA (I reviewed the Olympus Mju-II, its successor, HERE.) I wish I understood at the time what I understand now. I would have paid the extra money to maintain all of my film negatives. I would take my already shot film to a place band have them make 4 x 5’s. Lol

for editing, I used Silver EFEX Pro on this image and applied The Kodak Tri-X 400 simulation. After some simple tweaks to contrast, I think it came out great. Let me know what you think. 

-Maurice  

'Winter's Chill', 2022 - Street Photography Image breakdown

This is one of my last shots of a wintery scene before things started to somewhat warm up. I love the neon glow. Nothing is prettier than being somewhere deep and cold in a city at night, wouldn’t you agree?

In post, I really wanted to brighten the lights on the train and along the platform. Then I did a copy of that mask in Abobe Lightroom and inverted the selection, to darken the rest of the scene. I love the way this image cane out. What do you think?

• Maurice

‘Wanting’, 2018 - Street Photography Image breakdown

“There are almost too many possibilities. Photography is in direct proportion with our time: multiple, faster, instant. Because it is so easy, it will be more difficult.”
— Ernst Haas

It interesting that some people do not consider photography as art. While I agree that there is no agreed upon definition of art, I assume there is some consensus that human activity which produces ‘something’ that can express either technical prowess, elicit emotion, or even tell a story, can be considered art. I would argue that photography does all three. 

Hass’ quote I chose today is actually very intriguing. Consider the ubiquitous nature of cameras in the contemporary context. They are on phone, tablets, watches, in glasses, and probably in other places I haven’t mentioned. Since every one alway has a camera, does that negate a photographer’s efforts? What actually separates a photographer form a rando with a camera? What do you think? Let me know below. 

For this image, I will somewhat describe this memory. In Fayetteville North Carolina there is a Flea Market that sells all sorts of odds and ends. Small boutique style shops selling old wares and knickknacks, including cameras are at this Flea Market. Somewhere in the maze of a facility, there is a door leading to nothing. I saw this person on the other side of that door. I don’t really know what compelled me to take this image. 

I had just started really getting into black and white photography at the time. I was studying in earnest how the masters of their time composed their work. What were these amazing artists looking for? The main element each GREAT black and white image had was some sense of contrast and mystery. This image is one of my first attempts at bringing those two concepts together. 

I did minimal editing of this work in post. I did, of course, do some Lightroom adjustments to accentuate the contrast between the subject and white around them. Not much else. 

What do you think about this work? What about how my edit turned out? Finally, what are your thoughts on my questions above. I would love to know. Finally, this image is available as either a Framed Prints and Giclee Fine Art Prints in my shop, check it out.

-Maurice. 

"Hibachi", 2022 - Street Photography Image breakdown

I was at a restaurant directly below hers. It was some pseudo French stuff in Manhattan. I try to pay attention for scenes like this all of the time. It is often the moments when you least expect that you will see another great image. I’m very glad I looked up. I would have missed opportunity.

When I initially saw her, I waited for while. I wanted to see if she would look out of the window. Some of the images previous to this are her eating. While this could have worked, I did want to see her face looking at me. finally, the moment happened. Apparently she didn’t appreciate the camera. 

There was not much editing needed on this piece. I did enhance the contrast a bit in Lightroom in post. I also used a brush and did a slight clarity enhance on the subject. Everything else is straight out of camera. 

As an aside I have enjoyed shooting with the Leica M11. The camera has the ability to handle anything I throw at it. I have been very pleased with the files. The new *.dng format that this sensor outputs seems to work better in Lightroom, which is also helpful. I can really push my digital negatives to new places without compromising any clarity. I have been happy and impressed with the camera, thus far. I will be doing a comprehensive review of the Leica M11, in this blog. Stay tuned. 

-Maurice. 

‘Ox Tails’, 2019 - Street Photography Image breakdown

I captured this image in the Bronx over by Gun Hill and White Plains, right under the 2 train. They have this banging Roti shop around that block. Go in there, get some good rice and ox tails. Finish it off with an Irish moss. Damn good food. I had just finished eating when I found this scene. 

So now, whenever I see it, I smell that place. Is that weird? Do you smell stuff like that when you see memories? Or is that just me?

Ultimately, an image is nothing more than a memory, isn’t it? Functionally, a photograph is identical to an image. Consider that your eyes are currently allowing some amount of photons to enter your optical nerve, and images are forming in your brain (there is of course much more involved, but you get it). 

Your brain either retains those photons, along with what smells occurred, what tastes where available, what emotions you had at that time, etc. So, I ask, what is the difference between a photographic image and an actual memory? One could argue that photographs are permanent where memories can fade. But so can a photograph. A photo can be burned, lost, stolen, ripped…..just like a memory. Can you think of a tangible difference, other than medium? 

Hmm…I like the composition of this image. It was lucky that the subject’s hair is so dark. The dark hair really is a prominent part of this image. I could it has the potential of being a more powerful image had I truly had the subject isolated. I applied a small amount of clarity to the image with a brush, specifically at the windows. I always find a small amount of clarity or structure on a wet surface makes for some drastic changes (in a good way) on my images. 

What do you think? I would love to know. 

• Maurice.

'City of dreams', 2022 - Street Photography Image breakdown

Being an artist is a challenge. Truly, it is one of the most challenging things one can do in their life. The artist must be controversial, tell a story, and be true to oneself. Being true is often a hard road. That very truth is what we must find, and as often what we are searching for. Every artist has to find their own way. Of course it's easier said than done. One of the hardest paths we, as artists, we have to figure out, is our way. Your work should mean something. Your work should be what defines you. 

However, as I'm out looking for images, constantly scanning, I don't have these thoughts in my head. I will let other define me. I am not concerning myself with what will define me what my next image should look like why I should do anything. Ultimately, I'm going to put out lots of work. Some people aren't going to like some of it. There isn't much I can do about that. Truthfully, if they don't like it, that's OK. Everyone is not gonna make everything. It's just like hip-hop, some people like classic hip-hop, some people like 90s boom BAP, and some people like the new stuff that's out now. There is room in art for all of these ideas.

Most of my time was spent in post production, trying to find the best crop for this work. I shot this with a 28 mm lens, and the subject is quite far away. So, a lot of the image was unusable to my eye. 

Using the raw image (28mm, f/4.0, 1/160th sec, ISO 320), I always like to use one of my presets as a starting point. I applied one of my presets, specifically 7th Ave Express. Try-X is my favorite film, and I thought this could use that that type of contrast and grain structure. 7th Ave Express was ok, but needed some serious tweaking. I turned down the grain, and enhanced the blacks in the scene. Finally, I did some small and very specific brush work, to increase the visual contrast with white and black around the subject. 

Let me know what you think

-Maurice 

'Biding time', 2021 - Street Photography Image breakdown

This image was captured during the height of the COVID 19 lockdowns in America. As a reminder, they sucked. I found it extremely difficult to be as creative as I wanted to in 2020 and 2021. I’m sure some people used that time of lockdown and COVID being at the front of mind to gain their footing in the artistic space. I more used it as a way to refine my monochrome editing skills. Perhaps I should work on my personal resilience? Anyway

I did, however, try to get out and practice my skills as much as possible. The train passing by is the Amtrak train going through downtown Fayetteville, NC. It was one of those perfect days where the rain creates an interesting shine on any asphalt surfaces. I’m always on the hunt for a subject with an umbrella, because I think the umbrella tends to accentuate the human form. The umbrella also serves as a definitive place for the eye be drawn.

The subject standing still was helpful. I changed the shutter speed to 1/30 of a second. Compositionally, I wanted to really exaggerate the space and distance of the image. So, the subject is not centered. In post, I found I had to accentuate the blacks a little more than normal to get the effect that I was looking for. I really like the final outcome. 

Let me know what you think

-Maurice 

‘Business’, 2019 - Street Photography Image breakdown

This was a fun image to find. Often, when I am walking through subway stations I am completely engulfed in looking for another image. It’s a passion!. Believe it or not, this image (and subject) caught me off guard. I keep my camera set as wide open as possible and had the lens set to its farthest focal distance. I try to keep my camera this way so that I don’t have to make any immediate changes when I see a scene. However, this was different. 

This man was moving fast. You can tell from the subject’s posture that he was moving as fast as possible. He was already well past the farthest focal length on my 35mm lens, so of course I had to focus quickly as well. I had to shoot from the hip and guess the focal length! This is one of the joys of not using autofocus, ever. I spun the manual focus ring of the lens speedily and hoped for the best. I think it came out great. 

Compositionally, I really like the immediacy of the contrast in this work. Fortuitously, the subject was wearing a dark suit, light shirt, and tie. Perfect for striking composition for me. As with most photographers, I like my subway work to be somewhat impactful. I used the dark areas of this subway to accentuate the contrast of the entire scene. Finally, the natural lines in the scene are very leading. I hope you enjoyed this work, let me know what you think. 

- Maurice

‘Uptown Winterland’, 2022 - Street Photography Image breakdown

This was the end of a long day of shooting street. When I am out doing my work, I like to spend a full complete day out (normally sunrise to sometime after midnight).As I am out taking these fleeting moments from life, and I always feel like I have a bad case of FOMO (fear of missing out) of the next great image. 

This fear can also be defined as that one moment that will define me as an artist. I would argue that there is some Dopamine rush I have associated with ‘the decisive moment’ we are all searching for, as photographers. In my five years of almost daily shooting, I had that full dopamine rush experience maybe seven times. Something happens in my brain, and it all clicks. Time slows down and I have a moment. I just know. This is gonna be a solid image. 

That happened to me with this image. I purposefully got off the train two stops away. I’m constantly on the chase 🤓. It was well past midnight, and I was sure the street would be empty. Luckily I was wrong. The stars aligned, the wind blew, and this person lined himself up in my sites. 

Compositionally, I did not have to do much in post. For editing purposes, I did run the image through Silver EFEX Pro and apply the Kodak Tri-X film simulation to this rather flat RAW image. I absolutely love the contrast and grain structure of Kodak Tri-X film, and I definitely wanted this piece to have that feel in the end. 

Finally, I think the subject is backlit so well. That fact, coupled with contrast of the silhouette of the subject, gives a certain mood to the image. I like this piece.

Let me know what you think about this image. And thanks so much for reading this work. 

• Maurice

‘Seclusion’, 2021 - Street Photography Image breakdown

My brain is constantly on a quest for a quiet, simplistic scene. I call this time “Quiet Mind.” Often, my mind is racing. That is one of the problems with being neurodivergent (I’ve been diagnosed with ADHD since I was seven and PTSD since I was 27). I use my photography as a method of therapy. This has been the purpose of my work. To forcefully find tranquility in crowded places. To find solitude in a crowd. To purposefully acquire space whenever and wherever I need it. This image reflects those ideas well.

This image was captured while walking on the beach with my wife in Atlantic City. We finally had some time to walk with one another. At this particular point, I have been away from her and my family for three months doing medical humanitarian relief work for the Afghan refugees. While that work can be fulfilling, I always miss my wife when I am away.

The beach was crowded this day, as northeastern beaches tend to be. We both had lattes (my drink of choice after scotch). Her's was iced. I think that is sacrilege. Then I saw this person. My camera, as always, was at the ready.

Compositionally, I often place my subjects directly in the middle of the image. I do this to draw attention to the subject and to ensure I have a sense of ‘scene’ in each image. There should be no reason to imagine where this is.

I opted to place my subject off to the right to further the sense of isolation and seclusion the piece conveys. Attention is immediately draw to my subject with two devices, the stark contrast and the leading lines of the ocean itself.

Please let me know what you think of this image.

-Maurice

Preconceptions in street photography

To know ahead of time what you’re looking for means you’re then only photographing your own preconceptions, which is very limiting, and often false.”

— Dorothea Lange

🤔 I had a conversation with a photo journalist about a year ago, in an attempt to start a photojournalism career. He told me that my work wasn’t planned enough. He also told me that the best photo journalist always planned way ahead of time. I had an opportunity to start work as a photojournalist in that vein, but I decided against it. (I don’t care about fake like that)

As an artist, as a streetphotographer, I have to have spontaneity. The candid nature of my work is what gives it it’s flare, I believe. Perhaps, that’s why I’m drawn to street photography so much. There is a certain Joy in knowing that I may come home without something. There is joy in searching. Joy in looking for the correct scene. Perhaps I’m meant to be the artist, and photojournalism is beyond me. Which is fine, I enjoy finding beauty in the mundane.

Perhaps it was silly of me to not engage with that photo journalist. Perhaps I should have moved in the direction. I admire the beautiful work of some of the more documentary focused photographers that I follow online .

Ultimately, however, I had to go with my gut. In this instance my gut told me that the regimented understanding of photojournalism that others may have used to jump start their careers was not for me.

I would love to know what you think. Do you overthink and analyze prior to shooting street work? Or am I just overthinking this entire concept? 

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