Dean Bradshaw people photography

Photographing People: How I do it

Posted by Dean Bradshaw | Filed under People Photography, Techniques

Photographing people is one of the most interesting and engaging things you can do in photography – travel photography in particular. Your camera – if you make it – can be your ticket to some of the most amazing and memorable experiences with others you’ll ever have. But, getting over that initial approach anxiety and shyness which arises when photographing strangers, especially when traveling, can be tough.

How I do it, after the jump! Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: people photography, portrait, technique, travel, Travel Photography

Read more | Comments (2) | July 17th, 2008

Photographing People: Just do it!

Posted by Dean Bradshaw | Filed under People Photography, Techniques, Travel Photography

Photographing People – Strangers – People who aren’t models.

This is probably one of the biggest hurdles many photographers find themselves having to face, especially those interested in pursuing travel photography, photojournalism or street photography.

I don’t profess to be an expert in the subject, but I am fascinated by the topic and over a series of blog posts, I will endeavor to offer what I have learnt about shooting strangers, particularly in a travel context, after a reasonable amount of time spent photographing people in Africa and Southeast Asia.

My first piece of advice, and probably the most valuable is: “Just do it”

Yes, there are many profound lessons to be learnt from Nike’s well known slogan!

Seriously though, doing rather than thinking about doing is often one of the keys to success, in any field now that I think about it, but also in photographing strangers. Getting outside one’s comfort zone is probably the biggest barrier one needs to overcome in photographing people. Don’t worry, the more you do it, the easier it will become.

Tags: people photography, portrait, technique, Travel Photography

Read more | Comments (0) | July 16th, 2008

Bodyboarding Photos: Yanchep

Posted by Dean Bradshaw | Filed under People Photography

Surf photography.

Here in Australia, we’re bombarded with it since we’re little grommets in high school, images of zinc-covered, blonde-haired men riding waves by standing on pieces of fibreglass or lying on bits of high-tech foam – plaster the magazine racks.

I had always wanted to try my hand at such imagery, and today I got a shot at It. I joined a few young guys, almost past their prime years of ‘grommet-hood’ (a technical term for young, frequently annoying young surfers).

We headed out early, really early, considering the temperature in Perth at the moment and the fact that the sun is rising as late as 7am. We arrived in the sleepy town of Yanchep (although I’d probably call Yanchep a suburb at this stage of Perth’s incredible urban sprawl!) just before sunrise, in the gloomy hours when flash staves off the blurry images that would result otherwise.

These first few images where shot at about F4, ISO 400, 1/5 second – so you know it was dark!

_MG_8663-Edit

_MG_8673

The main reason i wanted to head out with the boys this morning was to try out my newly purchased EWA-marine underwater housing. I had bought it a few months ago, but had never found a chance to use it. I’ll try and write up a more in depth review of it later on – but suffice to say, the thing is cumbersome. Other than that, the thing stood up really really well against the frequent swirling currents i found myself in as i was dumped again – and again. Each time i emerged from the turbulent waves where i was introduced to the sandy bottom, I was stunned to see my camera dry and protected – It’s a weird feeling when you’re cold, soaking wet and at the mercy of the ocean.

I really have a newfound respect for surf photographers, this stuff is tough – and a workout to boot!

Tags: bodyboarding, people photography, photojournalism, surfing

Read more | Comments (0) | July 10th, 2008

Introducing: CINEMA – Street

Posted by Dean Bradshaw | Filed under People Photography, Portfolio, concept photography

I’ve been working hard lately to diversify my portfolio, producing work inspired by the drama and action of cinema films.

This is the latest series, dubbed for now as “Street”.

Street Life

Preparation

End

Tags: concept, dramatic, Lighting, model, people photography, Portfolio, portrait, street, urban

Read more | Comments (0) | July 3rd, 2008

Experimental fashion shoot

Posted by Dean Bradshaw | Filed under Fashion Photography, Lighting, People Photography

Spent the latter part of yesterday shooting some experimental work. Ed Swinhoe and I scoped out a new location and at the same time helped out Curtin Uni fashion designer Chris Hancy with some of his most recent fashion deviations.

Chris’s work is styled after the anime movie ‘Akira’, so Ed and I took that into account in location scouting and shooting style. Cheers to our models Tom and Nina for their help with the shoot – In one hundred years we’ll all be wearing this, so for the next 99 you’re standing at an innovative point in fashion design.

Check it.

Alternate