Saturday, February 19, 2011

street colour

end of the alley

I am slowly working my way toward being brave enough to do the kind of street photography seen in the amazing body of work discovered by luck in an auction bin just over a year ago.  Vivian Maier was a nanny in Chicago, unassuming and private, and over the course of 40 years she amassed thousands of images of her walks around the city and they are exquisite.  (See her story and images here.  If you haven't seen them yet you are in for a treat.)

My intention today was to skulk around the city and find someone who looked friendly, hopefully with sassy fashion sense, who would afford me the opportunity to leisurely capture them doing something intriguing.  On a street with character.  It's not too much to ask, right?  Cue the downpour.  So I scuttled from corner to doorway to alley with my umbrella balanced on my head and captured the amazing colour in the Mission district of San Francisco instead.  Not a bad trade at all, although I will muster my courage and return another day.

I'm in love with Stephskimo's image below, taken in London.  The wall art is bold and graphic.  I want to know what's happening just out of frame to the right.  My daughter thinks it looks like people helping each other, which seems appropriate given the person sharing the frame.  Stephanie has created a collection of her street art photographs and it is well worth a visit to her photostream.

What street photographers inspire you?

cheers,
mosey of mosey along

Stik Mural 1
stik mural 1 by stephskimo

16 comments:

Justine said...

these shots are great, so colourful and interesting.

Kirstin said...

Such wonderful colours and so beautifully paired, Kim. I love that story about Vivian Maier. I would have loved to have met her.

Gilly said...

Love both these shots: the colours in the first one are wonderful and stephskimo's shot is just fantastic.

Unknown said...

Wow. Both of these images are so beautiful!

michel said...

balancing act aside that's a great shot! it is on my life list to photo a stranger. one. hasn't happened yet. its a tough one. don't give up, channel your inner sartorialist.

Steph said...

Thanks for choosing my photo, Mosey! The right side of the frame is just like the rest. It's by an artist called Stik who I have met to interview. He was once homeless himself and is now creating these stick figures everywhere. He says he keeps them simple because it's easy to show emotion through body language alone.

There's another picture of the same scene here that shows the other side, it goes around the corner all the same: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephaniesadler/5135494304/

Love your shot as well. The rain makes it moody :)

Anna said...

These captures are wonderful! As to my favorite street photographers, they are Vivian Maier and Henri Cartier-Bresson. Both are so inspiring.

Amy @ Lucky Number 13 said...

oooh, love this! very cool!

urban muser said...

i am loving this post kim! these 2 photos are fantastic. i too have been checking out the vivian maier blog, watching as her work is revealed. she must have been an amazing woman...

Holly { Soupatraveler } said...

great post kim! LOVE the vivian maier story, just amazing stuff. wonderful shots! i love the color in each as well as the mood : )

Unknown said...

I really love both of these, and Vivian Maier, too!

Kat Sloma said...

Great pairing Kim! Boy, do I want to go photograph those colorful streets of San Francisco with you someday. :) I love Stephskimo's photo too! So much said.

blue elephant photography said...

im in love with these walls! i really them a lot. love the shot =)

Maureen said...

Great post and pairing, I love how colorful they both are. For me it is so challenging to shoot this type of photography, capturing the essence of the scene, and not the distractions.
I must have a look at those found photos,thanks.

Anonymous said...

I love the stories, the colors. I have been reading about Vivian Maier, she was awesome

Suki said...

beautiful pictures and your writing!

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