Pre-Black Friday

I find all kinds of folks at Walmart. It's fun to capture them during special moments like this one. POST WORK: Lightened his face and darkened down everything else, especially the white elements so they didn't distract. You can't do that in-camera.

Did you associate the $99 with the price of the girl? I did.

You have to be quick. No one cares what mode you used so use whatever works for you. It doesn't have to be Manual. Once you get the files into the computer, massage it until it says what you want it to. Technical aside, who can resist a child in a shopping cart looking like she just came off the shelf.

Can you tell how close I am in this photo? I'm just inches from her hand holding the donuts. I had turned around holding my camera on my forearm with one hand as she glanced away. She could be looking at something else to buy on the shelf, but she doesn't look happy about the line.

Humans are an interesting lot. Look at this poor sweater on the floor wishing to be hanging proudly on a rack. I left my foot in to emphasize the human aspect of it. Imagine if it wasn't there.

I stood there for a while waiting for someone to pass in front of me so they appeared n the clear area. Then I noticed the mannequin on the opposite side and how it appeared to be looking to my left. So I waited for someone to pass to my left to connect the two elements. Color is important here because it helps differentiate the mannequin from the people. If it were B&W you would have wondered why the people were soft and muddy.

This image almost didn't make the cut because I generally don't like photos of people just doing something. I like an extra element of unexpectedness. In this case, the ark behind him became a leading line that forces your eye to make a circle in that area. I like to move eyes where I want them to go.

I did a photo of blurred man and blurred train; you'll see it on this website; it's called Schipol. I wanted to try the effect here with customers being blurred. I have another shot which has more people blurred on it but this one caught my eye because I make a connection between the black pants of both people. That becomes a design element that helps move your eye around. There is a triangle between the mans face, his pants and then the pants of the person in the store.

Sometimes, people just walk up to you. What else can I say...street portrait.

I always try to be at the ready for photos like this...you can always toss it out.

Sale on Holiday Cheer