1. Unit 57: Photography and
Photographic Practice
Research of other photographers
work (P1, M1, D1)
Photographer: Danny Santos – Street Photographer
Image 1:
3. Image 4:
Theme or focus of images
With these images we can see some are similar to some of the others, for example
images 1 and 2 are similar and images 3 and 4 are too. Also, all of these images are
taken without the people featuring in the images knowing, with street photography its
about featuring people within public places, and with these images they are not
posed or forced. The intention of this photographer is to capture the public naturally,
without being posed. All of these images have one or two main focus points, for
example in images 1 and 2 only one person in the image are looking directly into the
camera while the surrounding people are unaware. All of these images are quite
busy with a lot of people involved or movement occurring.
Images 3 and 4 are very similar, with most of the surrounding people in complete
darkness with the main focuses of the image in the light. In images 1 and 2 we see the
natural reaction of the people involved in the image, like in image 1 we see the baby
looking directly at the camera, while being carried on the dads back with the rest of
the family completely unaware of the photograph being taken. Again with image 2,
we see 2 of the monks looking into the camera where the other is unaware. With
image 3 and 4 the focus of the image is clear, like in image 3 we see the group of
three friends laughing and smiling, the light falls perfectly onto the 3 and makes them
stand out from the crowd that is in complete darkness of the shadows. In image 4, we
see one girl where the light falls on her with the other people covered in the shadows.
Also in image 2 we see monks walking through a city, this is a contrast of life styles.
Monks are known as simplistic and not materialistic, where we can see then walking
4. through a modern city.
I think this photographer uses the technique of capturing the most natural reaction in
his images, because the images look natural and genuine and captures human
interaction perfectly. The images are very honest and natural and I think the use of
light difference in image 3 and 4 definitely helps show the focus point of the image. I
think the whole aim of the photographer is to get the most genuine images as it
shows how he can capture every day interactions that we usually wouldn’t look twice
at in more detail.
Composition
In images 1 and 2 the main focus point is the peoples reactions to the camera, and
also the people surrounding them. Apart from the group of people that are with the
main focus, aren’t really focused on, for example with image 1 the baby is the main
focus, then we notice the family the baby is apart of, we don’t really focus on the
people surrounding that family. So I think the photographer could have cropped the
image to get rid of the rest of the people in the same area to draw more attention to
the main focus point.
I don’t think the photographer likes to get closer to what he wants to take a picture of
because if he did, the picture wouldn’t be as natural and genuine. So I think the
photographer stays at a distance and possibly zooms into what he wants to take the
picture of, or crops out the rest after the picture has been taken.
Techniques used
I think this photographer definitely uses a fast shutter speed, because the faster the
shutter speed the faster the picture can be taken and so he can capture natural
actions exactly when they happen. Someone’s facial expression could change very
quickly so he would need to use a fast shutter speed for street photography.
In images 3 and 4 there is definitely depth of field as the main focus points are in
focus where the surrounding people are blurred out. I think the photographer uses
depth of field to make the focus point as distinct as possible.
Strengths & Weaknesses
A strength would be that I like how this type of photography captures natural and
genuine every day interactions, so they appear very natural and not posed.
A weakness would be I think with images 1 and 2, particularly 2 the main focus point
could be made clearer.
