Camera Labs

I've recently found a new place to shoot some street photography in Dubai. The Fruit and Vegetable Market is close to my office and has plenty of willing subjects for environmental portraits, plus interesting street scenes. Here's a mix from the first couple of visits.

Shot on D700 and 2/35 Distagon or 85mm f1.4D

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I'l have to admit I'm not too much a fan of B&W photography, especially because I suck at it, but I really liked this pictures, they look great, they have a great composition and the feel of them...... I really can't explain, they're awesome

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Gear: Canon SX20 IS, Canon Rebel T3i, Canon EF-S 18-55mm
Wishlist: Canon 50mm f/1.8 II, Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II
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Your images are excellent, as usual! Thanks for sharing.

Your posts here on Cameralabs keep pushing me toward buying an 85mm 1.4D and/or Zeiss 35/2, though funds are presently low; perhaps mid-to-late 2013.

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Canon 7D/5D/40D/1D2N; Nikon F6, FM3A, & Coolpix A; Canon 40mm Pancake, 135L, 50L, 35L, pre-II 50mm 1.8, 100mm 2.8L Macro, 10-22mm EF-S, 28-135 EF, 400mm 5.6L; Nikkor 50mm 1.2 AI-S, 50mm 1.4G, 50mm 1.8D, 16mm 2.8D Fisheye, 180mm 2.8D, 100-300mm 5.6 AI-S; Tokina 17mm & 100mm 2.8 Macro

For me, the coloured onion seller is better when viewed side by side with the B & W. The B & W does not show the perspiration as much and convey this man is really very hot, also a lack of body moisture in B & W.

I also feel Colour brings out the dynamics and character of your portraits who have such interesting faces. Although the subject is the focal point, colour also adds vibrancy to the surrounding area even when blurred.

I'm not an official member of the monochromophobe party but I prefer colour. At the end of the day, the only thing that matters is your opinion and are satisfied with your results.


Cheers

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Nikon D7000, D40X, Nikkor 18- 200 VR II, f3.5-5.6, 70-300 AF non VR, Kit Lenses.

Some of these work in colour - others don't so much IMO. So for consistency I'm posting series in colour. As part of my workflow, I end up with a finished colour image before moving on to b&w conversion though. Shoot at any kind of distance here and colour washes out due to the atmospherics for 10 months of the year though.

The colour can add vibrancy to a scene, but it can also distract. For example in #4, in the colour version the melons distract form the storeman whereas in the b&w it's complimentary, with nice tones and pop from the early morning light.

Thanks RexGig

I was originally tempted by the 100MP from Zeiss, but the 85mm is very close in focal length and I got a good deal. For what I use it for, I love it. Sure, the 85mm f1.4G is sharper across the frame and gives slightly punchier colour, but the D has a certain character to it and is beautiful for portraits.

As for the 2/35 - I can definitely vouch for it being a classic lens. With the right image and f stop you get real 3D pop with the lens, and the out of focus areas are nice and smooth. Colours are vivid and punchy and it's a great lens. On DX I found it a little limiting, but through a big bright viewfinder and on FX it is stellar and now gets far more use.

nice shots !

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http://julien.tournon.free.fr

Amazing as usual. Love your B&W. Nice contrast too.

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Nikon D300, Nikkor 85mm 1.4 AF-D, Giottos MT9371 & MH-5001
http://www.facebook.com/radu.rica/photos_albums

I'm curious how you get your photos.

In the UK (or many western countries) somebody would probably call the police.

Where I currently live in Vietnam, people would demand money.

For these reasons, I always take candids in the street. I'm wondering how you get these shots. The photos look like they were taken by a buddy of theirs.

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Panasonic G3: 9-18mm, 14mm, 20mm, 45mm

Thanks guys

@ kimchi - if you don't ask, you don't get

i like number 6 as it looks candid. a nice set. did you ask them to pose or did they spot the camera and decide to pose for you?

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http://www.parismetrotrash.com

Well there is a language barrier, so these guys won't take direction - you have to just shoot them how you see them. If it's with a 35mm or 50mm as an environmental portrait I'm always asking first, and once you visit the site a few times you build rapport (especially with a few prints from your previous visits to give out).

Hardly worthy of calling the police, Kimchi!

Incredible pictures; very honest.

I love the guy in the background in picture no. 8. His smile is infectious

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Camera: Panasonic Lumix GX1
Lenses: Lumix G Vario 14-42mm f3.5-5.6
with adapter: Nikon 50mm f1.8 and Tamron 24mm f2.5

Another great set Phil. There's something about number 2 that draws me to it.
Thanks for posting.

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Dent, Arthur Dent.

Pentax k-30 and k-x with DAL 18-55mm and DAL 55-300mm, Tamron 18-50mm and Camera Labs Straps.