<<< o >>>reciprocal activity 20 comments + add yours
chromasia.com

When I was out yesterday I noticed these two blokes on a pedestrian walkway above the street. As I took my first shot (which didn't really work out) they noticed me taking a picture of them and turned and did the same. It's not the most artistic thing I've put up recently, but I like the feel of this one. To me, and I can't really find a better way of putting this, it has a 'happy balance': they clearly don't mind being photographed, the composition works, and the colours work well together.

As far as modifying this image goes: it's reasonably faithful to the original scene but I i) increased the contrast (particularly in the mid/high tones of the image), and ii) deepened the colour of the sky (as increasing the contrast faded what little colour there was in the original scene).

capture date
camera
lens
focal length
aperture
shutter speed
shooting mode
exposure bias
metering mode
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cropped?
1.34pm on 6/10/04
Canon 20D
EF 70-200 f/4L USM
135mm (216mm equiv.)
f5.6
1/640
aperture priority
+0.0
evaluative
100
no
RAW
auto
minor
 
3x2 + people
comment by yamel::spectrum at 11:38 PM (GMT) on 7 October, 2004

David, I'm a huge fan and visit your site daily! I never comment as you get plenty of that, but since no one has yet, I'll take the opportunity.

In regards to the photo, I agree with you. The moment is what makes this shot. It's also cool that the bloke without the camera is tickled.
Nice emotion in this one - it brought me a smile. Take care.

comment by joe holmes at 01:41 AM (GMT) on 8 October, 2004

Definitely a sweet moment! It's rewarding not only because of the composition, color, balance, but because it's a nice twist on a familiar theme -- someone photographing the photographer. Without the smiling friend, it'd be dull, but the friend makes the photo -- great smile and very natural, and it's nice that he's looking directly at you (us). This is a great catch.

comment by twb at 02:11 AM (GMT) on 8 October, 2004

This photo brought a smile to my lips! Thanks! Great composition too.

comment by Mike at 02:23 AM (GMT) on 8 October, 2004

This is a nice picture. I love the feel, kindof a happy mode to it. Nice job.

comment by AJ at 03:04 AM (GMT) on 8 October, 2004

I wonder if they have their own photoblog, and put a picture of you? Now, that would be really cool.

comment by Christine at 06:40 AM (GMT) on 8 October, 2004

You're right, it's about the moment - and it doesn't hurt that the guy on the left is really cute. (Ok, probably not a consideration for you with the photo, but I still thought it was worth mentioning.)

comment by east3rd at 06:50 AM (GMT) on 8 October, 2004

LOVE IT! Fantastic shot, you've captured the moment beautifully! It really works because of the smiling guy. He makes the photograph light and cheery.

comment by myla at 08:17 AM (GMT) on 8 October, 2004

Dave. .. it's been too long. =) What a trip that your image title today was 'reciprocal activity' -- I finally got around to posting this:
http://parrotsmeow.com/plog/archives/000936.html =)

{This image is fantastic and I agree with Christine, he *is* cute} I wonder if these blokes realized just who it was they were photographing. . .

comment by hotpixel at 08:25 AM (GMT) on 8 October, 2004

Excellent capture David
Well done (again)

comment by Timmargh at 10:52 AM (GMT) on 8 October, 2004

Excellent picture and, as everyone else had said, it captures the moment perfectly. Now I guess we wait and see if those guys see this!

comment by nellooo at 01:43 PM (GMT) on 8 October, 2004

Nice smile ! (so do I when I look at this picture).

comment by Urbanite at 01:49 PM (GMT) on 8 October, 2004

Ahh that's what I like, a nice bit of eye-candy, you didn't get the bloke on the left's number did you ?? (don't tell my hubby I said that, lol)

comment by john at 04:26 PM (GMT) on 8 October, 2004

I like it - there's a mutual(ness) here that's funny...

Tones are great.

comment by Seth Thomas Rasmussen at 07:23 PM (GMT) on 8 October, 2004

Love that shot! Horray for Friday!

comment by Turfdigger at 08:36 PM (GMT) on 8 October, 2004

Couldn't have pre-arranged a better shot!

comment by djn1 at 09:27 PM (GMT) on 8 October, 2004

Thanks everyone, and Christine, Myla, and Urbanite: if I bump into him again I'll give him your email addresses ;-)

comment by Brian Poulsen at 12:26 AM (GMT) on 9 October, 2004

Shooting with the 70-200L lens is not quite anonymous street photography huh? :)
I have the 70-200mm f/2.8L and I never even considered bringing it along for street photography.

Great pictures though :)

comment by myla at 08:29 AM (GMT) on 9 October, 2004

Thanks D. You're the best. =)

comment by tiffany at 04:48 PM (GMT) on 9 October, 2004

Now that is too funny!

comment by M at 01:40 AM (GMT) on 14 October, 2004

Much lesss staged than a previous multiple photo moment, I like the feel too.