My Love of Photography (And Cycling!)
Ok, so I’m starting a new thing, a favourite image of the previous month.
So for August, it’s a really difficult choice as I felt like I took a lot of good photos. However, Leeds Gay Pride was really fun to photograph, and by far gave the most photos for me to choose from.
So, this is my Picture of August, and it really wasn’t an easy choice 🙂
What you all think? Good or bad choice? Let me know in the comments.
There is a part of every street photographer that causes the heart to skip when the subject looks right at them.
I’ve had so many requests for photos from Leeds Pride, my mailbox/twitter has been busy with people asking for copies.
Views on both my ipernity and blog went up massively over the last week. All in all, a good result for me. But more than that, everyone involved had fun, enjoyed the day and came home with memories.
I’m glad that people enjoyed my photos, after all, thats the main reason I take them.
So all in all, a good week 🙂
ipernity Gallery for Leeds Pride: http://www.ipernity.com/doc/mikethompson/album/479779
ipernity Gallery for Leeds Pride: http://www.ipernity.com/doc/mikethompson/album/479779
ipernity Gallery for Leeds Pride: http://www.ipernity.com/doc/mikethompson/album/479779
Yesterday saw Leeds Pride march down the HeadRow in Leeds in all its multicoloured gay glory.
I went out with a standard street kit, as the subjects I would be photographing where not really that far away from me, and the Parade its self was not hemmed in by barriers, so I was free to move about and get the better angles.
Up until 2pm, everyone was stuffed into Millennium Square, waiting for the parade to start. There was all sorts of people there, all interesting. I had a hard time taking my camera away from my eye 🙂 There was quite a lot of Police about, but they where enjoying the day, giving out candy, and having their photos taken with the kids. I saw one Police officer at one point do the YMCA, to the amusement of his colleagues. It’s good to see the Police engaging in events like this, instead of being aloof and above it all.
At 2 pm, the parade started, to the cacophony of whistles and drums galore.
The parade route was down the Headrow toward the main stage at Briggate, where Sophie Ellis-Bextor was due to play. I followed the parade down, on the opposite side of the road. Getting ahead of people I was getting in place on the traffic islands along the route, and crouching on the corners to get the shots. However, I committed my cardinal sin on a few occasions, I was so busy taking the images, I forgot to check and alter the settings on the camera a few times. I really need to stop and think sometimes.
It was good not to be hemmed in by barriers, and be able to move about through the parade, it makes a change as I am used to having to battle my way around the crowds to find the angles. I had taken my standard street kit, but most of the images, I used my standard 50mm, I switched to a 30mm once. I never used my 85mm at all. there was just no need for that extra reach. I had packed a flash. I took it out of the bag the night before to save weight. I really wish I had taken it now. By the end of the parade, the light had changed massively, rain clouds where acting as a giant shade and I had to boot up the ISO to compensate. A flash would have helped massively in these conditions. Oh well, cant be right all the time.
It was hard work, by the time I got down to Briggate I was knacked, but I was slap bang in the middle of the parade, and I could not get shots fast enough. So many interesting faces, where to point next? I was aware of the other photographers around me, but I was the one in prime place, and I loved it.
It was a great day, and I’m please I had the opportunity to photograph the event.
You can see more images, other on my ipernity album http://www.ipernity.com/doc/mikethompson/album/479779 with more being added as I work through the massive amount and edit them.
A moment of peace in the City
Its unusual for me to go to Leeds, I try and avoid the place if at all possible. But this time, I had to go, as I had an appointment with a Recruitment agent. So I thought sod it, I’ll take my camera and have a Wander while I am there.
I dislike Leeds. I don’t find much opportunity for photography, that might be just not looking for them, or it may be the fact that I just want to get out the city center as soon as possible. I wandered up the Headrow, and snapped a image of the War Memorial, and the Town hall. I walked back down to town, intending to go to Boar lane, to photograph one of the many Bar Flies out for a smoke.
I walked through the new Trinity Shopping centre, and was almost immediately accosted by their security. “Cant take photos here mate”. I wasn’t, I was just walking through. Fair enough, its Private property and they have the right to ask me not to take photos. Security followed me from one end of the centre to the exit on Boar lane. Just no need.
I them walked up Victorian Quarter and took a few images of the charity chuggers up there. Again, they where not pleased, but heh, your on a public road. One of them started to get a little uppity with me explaining the rules, and I called it quits and walked off. The heat was starting to really get to me now, the buses and taxis buzzing around spraying fumes all over. People really do exist in their own little bubble in cities, head down, walk to destination, ignore everything. Which gives some very boring street images.
I went to the Meeting (Which as normal with Agents is a waste of time), and then called it quits, back to the railway station, and on the first train out. I came out with three images on my D7000. None of which I think I will keep.
I hate Leeds.
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