October 14, 2019 • 89

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #67: Candid

“How do we start taking pictures of people, and stop taking pictures of poses?”
– Justin and Mary Marantz

Ann-Christine’s challenge this week gives us a chance to highlight candid shots.   I couldn’t be happier.  I love spontaneous shots, and not posed ones.

Here’s a shot from my archive of a street performer in Florence who plays the most heavenly music in front of the Duomo.  I’m hoping he’s still playing there when we return to Florence again.

Candid Street Musician, Florence, Italy

There are no bad pictures; that’s just how your face looks sometimes.– Abraham Lincoln

I spotted this couple in Spitalfields last weekend, a vibrant neighborhood in London with famous markets and street art.  In this shot, the orange colors caught my eye–in her jacket and shoes, and in the posters behind them.

Saturday at Spittalfields Market, London

Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still.– Dorothea Lange

In this second shot at Spitalfield’s Market, you can get a sense of the crowds and the array of food that’s on sale here.  Being native New Yorkers, we had to chose the bagels.

Spitalfields Saturday Market, London

The pictures are there, and you just take them.– Robert Capa

Here’s another candid shot taken in Trafalgar Square a few days ago.  Kids were filling in messages inside dozens of multicolored drawings of hearts.

Lots of Love, Trafalgar Square, London

If you see something that moves you, and then snap it, you keep a moment. – Linda McCartney

On one of our walks to Green Park, we stopped at the Canadian memorial, which pays tribute to the Canadian forces who died during the first and second world wars.  The cascading water and unique design of the memorial were a magnet for these children.  Behind them, you can also see the trees transitioning to  their vibrant autumn colors.

Playing at the Canadian Memorial in Green Park, London

Before I end this post, I’d like to thank our participants in last week’s Lens-Artists “Fill the Frame” challenge.  Once again, your posts were unique, creative, and inspiring.  I always learn something from you!  I am also delighted that several new bloggers joined us.

Please stop by and visit Ann-Christine’s beautiful and inspiring post this week.  If you join us, be sure to link your post to hers. (Links posted within the Reader are not working correctly.)  Use the Lens-Artists tag to help us find you. For instructions on how to join us, click here.

On Saturday, October 19th, it’s Amy’s turn to host challenge #68, so we invite you to visit her site and take a look.

As always, Amy, Tina, Ann-Christine, and I hope you will join us!

Categories: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, Photography

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89 replies »

  3. I love taking photos of the street performers. We were at Trafalgar square some years ago. The market shot looks yummy and I love the Canadian Memorial photo of the autumn colors. Great collection, Patti! 🙂

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  8. Well Patti, the timing on this one was surely perfect for your London visit! Some wonderful candids – I especially liked the hearts on the pavement. What a great idea! Hope you’re enjoying your trip!

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  11. Love your wonderfully candid gallery, Patti! Envious of London of course…So love the Trafalgar Square image – how active and colourful! Just as it should be. And the opener – a lovely shot. I too hope he will be there when you return some day.

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  15. Patti, your photos as usual are stunning and make me think! I am going to dispute that quote by Abraham Lincoln. I can find no proof on the Internet that he actually said or wrote that. There is no documentation available. The wording is very contemporary it would not be words that would be applied to photography in those days. It’s an example of something put on the Internet and then copied and copied and copied and copied. It would be great if somebody could find the source and then I would believe it but I think the ancient aliens space people theories are probably more sound 😉.

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  16. Crowd scenes are a good solution for those of us who are a bit shy of taking candid shots of strangers. These are an inspiration, Patti, thank you. I will take more. And I love the couple photo. The wall is a stunning back drop.

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  17. I really enjoyed your choices, Patti. I don’t take many photos of people as I’m usually in nature and hoping I don’t see any people and I still have concerns about being able to use photos of people if I don’t have a release form. That probably only applies if you’re selling the shots, but that concern’s been around for many years.

    The Lincoln quote is one of my favorite quotes for some time. Thanks for sharing that! 🙂

    janet

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    • Hi, Janet. Thank you! I have similar worries, but when I’m feeling courageous, I ask if they mind me taking the shot. People have never said “no.” I think that’s true–about selling the shots and needing a release. I know that Adobe Stock require a release, for example. But non-commericial use is fine without one.

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    • Hi, Woolly. Thank you! I love that the memorial has maple leaves embedded in the fountain. The streets in Vancouver also have leaves embedded in the sidewalk cement! It’s a real icon for them!

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  31. excellent selection Dear Friend Patti …the hearts the food the musician all are amazing engrossed in their particular moments…enjoyed this collection -a pleasure to view

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  33. I like how you decided to take a photo of heart drawings that kids where writing messages inside, it’s nice to see something that’s a community project. Its cool how in the photo of the couple theirs a very cool co loge, with a bunch of stickers and drawings.

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