July 2019
Melbourne's laneways are a microcosm of city life, bursting with colour and texture.
We've spent a bit of time in Melbourne over the years. The laneways amongst the skyscrapers are a favourite place to visit because they are so grittily vibrant. There's always a lot to see, hear and experience.
On our most recent visit, I shot a series of photos with my brilliant Fujifilm camera, the acclaimed X100F: 60's style, modern firepower.
I am particularly interested in how the X100F can capture full raw-format images while running real-time image-processing software that produces old school film simulations.
This allows you to create images that look like they were shot on film stock decades ago. You get a raw file and an internet-friendly JPG in the simulation of your choice.
I really like ACROS B&W and CLASSIC CHROME.
Keeping it real.
I am by no means an expert.
My approach to street photography is to capture what I'm seeing and feeling, interfering with the camera operation or environment as little as possible.
It takes less technical planning, a little thinking, lots of spontaneity and no photoshopping. This is partially because I'm happily under-skilled with photoshop but mainly because I prefer authenticity wherever possible.
For some photo collections, like this short series below, I might do some quick light processing, the occasional straighten and the occasional crop. I've made comments below each image to that effect.
Shooting from the hip is an approach that helps capture those moments of spontaneity.
You don't look through the viewfinder, the camera is at your hip or thereabouts, and you're often not looking in the direction of the subject.
The point is that it's discrete.
Results may vary.
The images are often beautifully imperfect, sometimes slightly out of focus or not ideally framed. They're intended to be unexpected.
Sometimes you capture the most wonderful moments by chance or happy accident.
Shapes, textures, layers, expressions...
I like the images below for various reasons, especially the depth of field, layers of things and the cascading faces of people going about their business.
They are from Melbourne's Centre Place laneway, off Flinders lane.
Lunch at Elana Lulu halfway down allowed us to sit on the bleeding lane edge, watching the world go by. We enjoyed seeing people from all walks of life slide by on their way from and to various central city engagements or rushing through to catch the tram.
From the down-on-his-luck man (was he a bum?) sleeping off the night before with head on backpack and a book under his cigarette'd hand to the family trooping through in sequential harmony.
My favourite is the fur-coated street performer with guitar and battery-powered Marshall mini-amp in one hand, and a pharmacy prescription in the other.
Discreetly capturing these brief life moments requires one to be stealthy and creative and exercise one's imagination.
Laneway collection.
Have a look below and see what you think.
Shout out to the guitar dude with the fur coat and glasses. In his case, the camera was sitting on the cafe table, and I called out to him; to his credit, he cottoned on very quickly and gave me that fantastic pose. I also particularly enjoy seeing the slightly startled young lady walking behind, which makes the shot.
This guy is straight out of the camera in ACROS B&W - photoshop-free, no cropping or light adjustments.
As noted above, all images were shot from the hip.
Makes for an engaging metaphor.
All images ©️MrWolfe 2018. All rights reserved.
* Fujifilm are NOT a sponsor.
