A couple of street market shots

[PeterW]

On the end of the roll I shot at the Volvo museum (see Trains, Planes and Automobiles) were these two shots taken during lunchtime at a street market in The Cut in London, near Waterloo Station and quite close to the offices where I used to work.

Film was FP4 in a Kiev 4A with standard Jupiter lens. I like using rangefinders with standard lenses for street shooting because I like to get in close if I can, and not stand back with a long focus lens. In any case they're quieter and less bulky than an SLR and attract less attention so you're less likely to get people posing. Comments welcomed.


This stallholder was demonstrating a 'magic formula' polish reviver to take out scratches on polised wood furniture.



Taken from behind a stall this time. I liked the way the three ladies were absorbed in the cheap costume jewellery. Pity that two of their faces were partly obscured by hanging necklaces, but that's one of the hazards in candid market photography.

Peter W

[Randy]

I like these Peter, it reminds me of the model railroad flea markets we have here, crowd so dense you have to bump your way along to see everything.

[kamera]

So many neat informal shots can be gotten at market booths when the attendand and observers are not noticing the photog at all. And b&w make them really stand out.

Ron Head
Kalamazoo, MI

[mickeyobe]

Peter,

I like the first one. The intense concentration of both the vendor and his audience is what makes it so interesting.
I'll take a jar.

Mickey

[kiev4a]

The thing that struck me in the first photo was the number of bystanders in suits. Of course it is in the office district.

One of the penalties we pay for living outside a major metropolitan area is there aren't any (or at least very few) street or flea markets. We go to several estate sales every year but since the advent of Ebay it's tough to find any photographic bargains as everyone pretty much knows what items are worth.

[John Parry]

Time was, you had a work suit and a best suit, and those were what you wore. Always. Got a bit smelly at times!

Is it true that in the US only cops wear suits? I certainly remember as a young seaman on the west coast (Long Beach) in the early 70's, all of us going ashore in our suits. It was what you did. The locals seemed to think we were some kind of floor-show!!

Regards - John

[Microdad]

Yes it's true here cops do wear suits, but we have many other suit wearing crowds such as business folks etc. It used to be that you can always find fast-talking car salespeople wearing suits, many with white polished shoes. LOLOL!! When I was a kid, my dad always joked about not trusting anyone wearing white polished dress shoes.

BTW Peter, great shots! People/street shots are interesting and you seem to have a special skill in this genre.

Steve

[GeneW]

I like these, Peter, and I agree that a rangefinder with B&W is an excellent way to photograph events like this. These have good tonality.

Dress has become much more casual in Canada too. Even businessmen, aside from top execs, tend to dress in casual clothing, with no ties. For young IT types, denim jeans are de rigeur (come to think of it, they're my main trousers too)

Gene

[byuphoto]

I too was struck by the number of suits. If that were here it would be a funeral or an election. Impressive shots Peter. The one area I have yet to master is street shooting