I was kind of missing in action the past week, I have to admit, and this due to multiple reasons. First of all plenty of work for the job that pays the bills. Plus, I was severely impacted by a heavy case of jet lag during my first days in Portland. And this past weekend I was out and about in the city, preferring to roam the streets of Rose City with my camera doing some photography, rather than sitting in front of the MacBook and do blogging. Although I must admit I carried my little laptop with me in my backpack. I had some romanticized aspirations of doing some writing while resting in one of Portland’s many craft coffee shops. But with only two free days available, I ended up running around and shooting the whole time, despite frequent downpours that hit the Pacific Northwest over the weekend.
When it rains do some indoor street photography
During one of the many more intense rain periods I escaped into the (totally awesome) Portland Art Museum. True to my often published theory that when its soggy outside, shoot Street Photography in a museum. And I got a couple good ones, shooting variations using this light installation as a background.
Variations on a light installation
This light installation in one of the entrance halls did really catch my eye. Because I knew it would provide the perfect backdrop for some monochrome silhouette shootings.
But first I had some fun watching those two girls trying to get their picture taken in front of this wall full of lighted life advice. They did ask a passing visitor if he would be so kind to take their photograph. Did you ever ask someone to take a picture of you with your phone or camera, and after saying “thanks” and walking away discovered that he/she cut you totally in half or thoroughly ignored the background that you wanted to have in the photo? Well, those girls wouldn’t have it. After checking the picture on their phone they handed the phone about five times back to the man to retake the shot.
When one of the girls was already strongly signaling into my direction (the happily shooting street photographer with the professional looking camera), they guy finally got it straight and was honorably discharged from his duties.
Then it was a matter of me just waiting for people entering my “stage” so I could snap away. I was using the Olympus OM-D E-M1 with the mZuiko 12-100mm F/4, so not really a stealthy camera. But somehow the visitors taking in the light installation with the words of wisdom didn’t mind.
I was really “working the scene” for the good part of ten minutes. In the end, this man, hearing the clicks behind him, turned and gave me a strange look. Opening up, I kindly smiled at him and asked for forgiveness to have disturbed him. He didn’t mind. Sometimes we Street Photographers have to be a bit obnoxious. It comes with our dream of creating art every day.
Have a great start into the week!
Marcus
Related Posts:
Street Photography Quick Tip 7 – Work the Scene
Instant Inspiration (22) – Variations on a Billboard