Top 10: Romania

Street View Photography’s Top 10 : Romania

 Top 10 Format  Romania


Top 10 Format Romania

The moment I wrote this, Street View Photography page has got over 245,000 likes. When I found SVP on Facebook, about a year and a half ago, and started to post there, it had around 20,000 likes. Just feeling the potential and considering the good photos and photographers at that time and with many other regional pages around, I kindly asked David R. Prasser if it was a good idea to have a similar page in Romania as well, since I already knew some very good street photographers are ready to post images. After several virtual meetings on Skype, I started what is now called “Street View Photography Romania”, whose admin I am, Cristian Munteanu.

Even though our country is not a place where you can easily develop and promote yourself as a photographer, because the mentality of some people is still trapped in the communist years, and on the other hand because of chaotic constructions, gray tones of cities, these are the reasons for which Romania in general, and Bucharest in particular, is a perfect shooting range to learn street photography. This is mainly because it disciplines you, while interacting with suspicious people, it forces you to frame carefully while paying attention to cables, garbage cans, etc, and always looking carefully for those moments with strong emotions, which overshadow the not so appealing backgrounds.

SVP-Romania started with really good known photographers as Sorin Vidis, Hajdu Tamas, Vlad Eftenie, Mirela Momanu, Olah Laszlo-Tibor, Oliver Merce, Cosmin Munteanu and Dragos Alexandru, only to nominate a few. In time, many other street photographers began to appear, some even at the beginning of their careers, but are promisingly creating great images. We welcome and accept good shots made by ​​all passionate street photographers from Romania, and also images being more documentary rather than street, only to be strong and with powerful impact and story.

One year later, with more than 2,000 followers, I decided to select 10 pictures (+3 honorable mentions) that we think are the most emblematic for our community. We apologize to everyone, who isn’t featured in this post, all of you are very good! However, for obvious reasons we were forced to limit ourselves to only 13 photos. We invite you to check our Facebook timeline and see all of them.

Nowadays we plan a meeting of Street View Photography Romania members, followed by a photo-walk and, if possible, an exhibition of the best photos posted through the year on Facebook page.

This is our first anniversary, but it’s not the last one! Hope you enjoy the photos.

#10 – „White cat, black cat” by Mircea Branda

Mircea Branda - White cat, black cat

Mircea Branda – White cat, black cat

#09 „Zebra crossing” by Dragos Alexandru

Dragos Alexandru - Zebra crossing

Dragos Alexandru – Zebra crossing

 #08 „In doubt” by Cosmin Munteanu

Cosmin Munteanu - In doubt

Cosmin Munteanu – In doubt

 #07 „Rainy thursday” by Olah Laszlo-Tibor

Olah Laszlo Tibor - Rainy thursday

Olah Laszlo Tibor – Rainy thursday

 #06 „Too late” by Sorin Vidis

Too late - Sorin Vidis

Too late – Sorin Vidis

 #05 „Has anybody seen my dog?” by Cristian Munteanu

Has anybody seen my dog - Cristian Munteanu

Has anybody seen my dog – Cristian Munteanu

 #04 „Just a kiss”  by Mirela Momanu

Mirela Momanu - Just a kiss

Mirela Momanu – Just a kiss

 #03 „Red umbrella” by Vlad Eftenie

Vlad Eftenie - Red umbrella

Vlad Eftenie – Red umbrella

 #02 „Chat room” by Hajdu Tamas

Hajdu-Tamas-Chat-room

Hajdu-Tamas-Chat-room

 #01 „Spiderman jr.” By Oliver Merce

Spiderman jr. - Oliver Merce

Spiderman jr. – Oliver Merce

 

Honorable mentions

 #11 „Jacques… Jacques Clouseau!” by Cristian Bulugea

Cristian Bulugea

Cristian Bulugea

 #12 „Incognito” by Madalin Marienut

Madalin Marienut - Incognito

Madalin Marienut – Incognito

 #13 „Lunch Time” by Sebastian Vacariuc

Sebastian Vacariuc - Lunch Time

Sebastian Vacariuc – Lunch Time

This content was created by the Romania community of Street View Photography for the community of Street Photographers.

 

Top 10: France

Street View Photography’s Top 10 : France

Top 10 FRANCE

Top 10 FRANCE

France is a country full of contrasts. Geographical contrasts, to name one. The landscape ranges from urban, through seashore to countryside. Contrasts in terms of light, too. While the sun is shining all year round in the south, it hardly shows in the north, where the skies remain grey. In between those two, the light changes a lot. Those many contrasts are of course reflected in the people, their attitudes, their habits and their way of living. (more…)

Photowalk Mumbai: Post walk write-up | Nived Sawant

Post Walk Write up – Walk No : 03

Location : Mumbai, India

Photwalk Mumbai

Photowalk Mumbai

Yet another escapade for various photographers capturing the street, the journey started from the historic and momentous Asiatic Library to the grand and celebrated Gateway Of India. (more…)

Interview with Marie Ilford | France

Hello Marie Ilford, we are honored to be able to interview you for our Featured Photographer format!

Templatet-Featured-Photographer-1280x1280

Please tell us a little bit about yourself to begin with.

I was born in Lille 40 years ago and have been living close to Paris for 15 years now.
I work as an archivist for a city in Paris’ suburb. Among other things I’m in charge of the photographic archives (photographs taken by the municipality photographers over the last 80 years) and of photographing the urban evolution of the city lately.

1

Seeing your remarkable work, I am curious where your creativity comes from?

My grand-father was a passionate photographer and probably transmitted this passion to me. He had his own photo laboratory to develop his prints and I still have the magic memory of watching him as a teenager. What an emotion when he showed the photographs he took (trhought panes of glass) of my grand-mother.
I had my first camera when 18, and kept it constantly with me. I then left it in a corner for about a decade. 3 years ago I was offered a digital camera by my family (Sony Nex 3) for my birthday. As ceramics and electric guitar turned out to be disastrous experiences I was looking for a way to express myself. Once again, photography came out to be evident. And very quickly analog photography.

2bis

Could you share with us how you first became interested in street photography?

I don’t know where it comes from. It has probably always been there. When I got my first camera (Minolta 5000i), I bought my first film and went directly to the street to photograph people. I also loved books and for gifts specially asked for photography books (Doisneau, Brassai…).
Finally, my boyfriend at the time was a photographer and passionate about street photography. I guess it must have helped a bit!

3

You are Administrator for Street View Photography France Tell us a bit about your experience, how it all started and where do you want to take it.

I opened my artist page on Facebook less than a year ago, only thinking of putting my photographs there. But I quickly discovered what a great place it was to exchange with people having the same passion. Through SVP in particular. And that it was also an opportunity to make real encounters.
I just couldn’t believe it when I was asked to become an admin on SVP France. I wondered if I would have been able to cope with the challenge it represented. I feel so happy to be part of this beautiful human experience: share photographing experiences, meet photographers from all backgrounds, watch photographs every day and train my eye, discover new talents and highlight them… I learn every day.

4

How has your style changed since you first started?

It’s really weird for just when I started photographing again 3 years ago I was invited to an analog shooting outing through a critic website. And I fell in love again with analog photography. Quickly, without even noticing I was making similar shots in style as I did when 18.
I will never thank enough one of the photographers that was present at this occasion and gave me the most precious piece of advice « find your own style so that when looking at your photographs people know they are yours and not someone else’s ». Never copy, do what you feel, listen to yourself! This is one the best advice I’ve ever been given! Now, and that is introducing the following question, I realize I have more confidence and get closer to my subjects.

5

What equipment are you using now and with what did you get started?

It has change a lot since the Sony Nex 3. When I bought it a photographer friend gave me 2 pieces of advice I never followed at the time but later: use a viewfinder and a fixed focal lens.
I quickly fell into analog photography and bought a Nikon F65 and a 50 mm.
I really appreciate not having a screen which allows me to concentrate on what’s happening around me and to listen to my emotions. I also love to see the ingredients of my photo getting organized in the viewfinder and get the thrill of shooting at the right moment! I almost never crop my shots. Since then i bought a Nikon F5 which allows me to get my shots full frame as I see them in the viewfinder.
The 50 mm fixed lens makes me move towards my subject instead of zooming. This pushes me to get more contact with my subject and gives me a lot more joy. Finally, I do analog photographs, which is an important characteristic of my work. Films costs are high so i never more than 3 or 4 shots of the same subject. This pushes me to be very cautious when framing (all the more I don’t crop them).
I process my films at home in B&W. I love the waiting between the moment i take the photograph and the moment the film is finally devopped and I discover my photograph, just like a gift! I took some lessons in a photography school this year and learned how to do my prints. Seeing the photography appear in the revelation tub is another big joy you get when you do analog photographs.

6

Can you tell us about your work flow from the point you first step onto the street until you showcase the developed picture?

This question is related to the previous one so I already answered to it partially.
I often walk alone to shoot. It’s a particular time I am connecting with my emotions.
I also have my cameras constantly with me (one for color and recently one for B&W). It’s on the moment I choose which one I will use. This way I can be there when the light is good or when something happens.
Finally thanks to SVP I discovered something really important. Being rather shy, I wouldn’t have thought being able to shoot with others on shooting outing. And guess what ! The opposite happened. What a discovery for me !
I enjoy the slow pace of analog photography, taking the time to take my photographs while concentrating on what I feel and what is happening around me, the waiting for the film being processed and then for the prints. This wait gives me the time to welcome my feelings about those shots and to make a selection of those I really want to share. It’ during this lapse of time I will know which photos really do count.

7

Do you see a particular influence, be it a photographer or school on your work? Any subject that attracts you?

When I go out on the street I have no preconceived ideas. I love to see poetry emerging from the asphalt: go towards people, being moved by odd, funny or touching scenes, see the beauty of some urban elements – graffiti, tags, posters, architecture….
I love Humanist Photography but many other photographers too (Saul Leiter, Chris Killip, Harry Gruyaert, Raymond Depardon, Martin Paar…). In an article published in a photo magazine, a photographer told that some days he felt shier and thus more like Saul Leiter, and some others he was more inclined to get contact and thus more like Bruce Gilden! This expresses exactly how I feel.

8

What would you say characterizes your work in comparison to other street photographers?

I try not to compare with other photographers. This is a difficult exercise! And I rather think I’m not the best person to tell it. People watching my photographs would be more able to answer this.

9

In many of your images it seems that you are exactly on the right place at the right time. If we would split the street photography community into two categories, one is the roamer who walks around to find as many subjects as possible to get good results, and the other one is the camper who rather focuses on a place, camps out to wait until the right subject walks by, what street photographer would you be?

A photographer told me once he waited 7 hours at the same spot to get « the photo »! I’m not among this category. I can wait a little bit in a spot I noticed for something to happen but most of the time I move to something else, go on walking. But I definitely have my favourite spots where regularly come back!

10

Do you see your personality reflected in your work? And if yes, in what image does that come apparent to you.

Yes, of course! I consider photography as a mean of expression of my emotions. You will find me in every photo I take.

11

Do you often interact with your subjects?

I don’t specially interact with my subjects and don’t make them pose naturally! But I don’t forbid myself to talk to them. Those beautiful encounters are one of the reasons I love street photography. People often wonder why we take photos of them and are interested by the initiative and feel reassured.

12

Among your work, which is your favorite and why?

Hummm there are plenty photos I took that I love. This is really hard to pick one ! This photo is one of them. It reflects my own personality perfectly.

13

Tell us your funniest or most awkward street photography story

I took this dog, Léon, to the Saint-Ouen flea market and he has been “the model” that posed the most. The most “human model” I think!

14

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from shooting on the streets?

Not a lesson but a vital fact. Thanks to street photography I learned again to watch people and things in another and better way. What a delight!

15

What would you tell a newcomer who asks for your advice on how to start?

Read books, go to exhibitions, not only on photography but on painting also…
Know one’s camera to be able to express one’s ideas and use manual mode.
Forget about the screen and concentrate on what’s happening around.
Learn to watch the light.
Listen to oneself’s emotions and have fun.
FIND YOUR OWN STYLE!!!

16

Thank you very much for this interview.

Check out Marie Ilford’s personal flick site

 

The Blades Project

The Blades Project | Street View Photography

“The Blades Project brilliantly captures the idiosyncratic motifs of the Hollywood underbelly. All walks of life are displayed, from tourists mesmerized by the star walk, to the jaded souls lost by the temptations of the seductively ferocious neighborhood. With a display of lure and grit existing next to each other, they successfully captured the spellbinding essence of the Boulevard. Strapping on their skates, blading on every inch of pavement with pocket cameras in hand, freestyle shooting from the hip, and the only goal of not stopping to frame a shot…” (more…)

Top 10: Spain

Street View Photography’s Top 10: Spain

Top 10 Format SPAIN

A year ago, my friend Sergi Soriano Vílchez called me and said that he’d contacted an Austrian photographer, who was setting up a photography website, called “Street View Photography”. This guy’s name was David R. Prasser, busy establishing Street View Photography Facebook pages in many countries at that time. (more…)

Interview with Tony Daoulas | France

We are honored to be able to interview you for our Featured Photographer format on www.streetviewphotography.net!

Templatet Featured Photographertd

Please tell us a little bit about yourself to begin with.

First I would like to thank SVP for honoring me with this Interview. I am 43, I was born and grew up in Combrit-Ste Marine, a small seaside town in South Brittany. I now live in Paris, with my partner and our 5-month baby boy. I have worked as a location manager for movies and TV shows for the past 15 years. I also work  as a cameraman in some Film projects. (more…)

Photowalk Mumbai: Post Walk Write up | Harsha Ahuja

Post Walk Write up – Walk No: 04

Location : Mumbai, India

Photwalk Mumbai

Photwalk Mumbai

Just 3 kilometres away from CST railway station is this well-known bay called Marine Drive that connects to Girgaum Chowpatty.

Till now it has been well-known as a major attraction for tourists from India as well as outside the country. The main reason for people to visit Marine Drive is to spend a quality time with loved ones, getting a glimpse of the celebrities such as Shahrukh Khan, grasping the nature’s beauty like watching the beautiful sunset and so on.

But on 1st June, 2014. Sunday. It also became a very successful day for few photographers as they choose Marine Drive and Girgaum Chowpatty to showcase the best they could do by clicking. And the results were such that would keep your jaws hanging as you see the photographs that were snapped.

Photowalk Mumbai

Photowalk Mumbai

For these few people, Their Loved One Is Their Camera, Watching Sunset Is Through A Lens With Different Exposures’ And Off Course The Celebrity For The Day Was That Adorable Cat.

And the day was spent well.

Thanks to the organizers of the photo walk- Sanket Khuntale, Prashant Parab, Silver Stalin, Shikhar Sharma that gave a reason for a street view photography.