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ctfchallenge | all galleries >> The Best of CTF Challenges >> Winners of Exhibition > 1st Place "Minolta Man" by Julian Hebbracht
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May 2005 Julian Hebbrecht

1st Place "Minolta Man" by Julian Hebbracht

Osaka


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ctfchallenge16-Jun-2005 14:54
This lens in my favorite as well, Julian,. but for some reason it won't take portraits like yours does! LOL Shu
Julian Hebbrecht16-Jun-2005 08:52
Thanks Lonnit for your comment. I've also missed lots of great shots because I didn't have a camera with me. It's Murphy's Law for photographers: 'You always see the greatest shot when you don't have a camera with you.' Now, whenever I go out, I always take a camera.
The 28-135 is a very convenient lens to walk around with. I find the 24-70 range to limited. I'd have to get too close to the people to fill even half of the negative. I also have the 70-200 L but that's rather big and heavy to walk around with on a daily basis (on my way to work, etc.) - and the white color attracts lots of attention as well. Still, I use it as often as possible but unfortunately, that's not always when the best shots come into view.
Guest 16-Jun-2005 04:24
Always great to see you people work! What character you find! My son's school is about 10 minutes away in a mostly East Indian neighborhood - probably 85% of the kids in his school are East Indian. I think other than his class, I've not seen more than a half dozen white kids in the school. LOL! So everyday I see all the people walking in thier traditional dress and I always want to shoot them. Of course I never have my camera when I see the ones that really catch my eye, and when I have the camera with me I never find anyone I want to shoot! LOL! I just love the whole ethnic diversity thing - that's what makes Queens so cool. You can go anywhere in the world by driving a few more blocks past the last neighborhood to get into the next one; every time you change neighborhoods you're in a different country. My daughter just said the greatest thing the other day - we rented Back to the Future. She's watching the kids in the class in one of the scenes, and gets this perplexed look on her face and she says, "How come all the kids are white?"!!! LOL! It was such a moment of victory for me. I love that her school is totally diverse with kids from all over the world. It's so rich in culture.

You know, the focus on your shots so frequently bugs me. Perhaps the problem is that dang 28-135! That lens drove me nuts. A couple mo ago I gave up on it and bought the 24-70 L. I am thrilled with it and the # of OOF shots has dropped like a rock. Your people shots are way too good to not be using a more serious lens. Do whatever you can to get yourself into some L glass b.c. you've got the talent to justify the purchase.

For editorial use (not commercial) you need no release, unless the image would be damaging to their reputation - picking their nose, out with a mistress, or perhaps even posting here and calling them homeless when they are not! ;)

I shoot people shots all the time and I'm in NY. I try to do it on the sly b/c the shots are more natural. I do try to be aware of my surroundings to avoid ticking people off. I got the &*&%* scared out of me driving thru Harlem though the day I got the building shot I put in one of the challenges. There were tons of people on the streets on a Sunday afternoon. I was trying to get some sidewalk shots as we drove by. All of a sudden I hear this guy scream out, "Don't &&(&*(% take my $^%**) picture!". I wasn't even shooting him! Half a block later we're coming up to a red light and I told my husband, "Blow the freaking light!!!". I did NOT want to stop. We were still within running distance for the guy and he was pissed off. I thought for certain he was coming after us. Fortunately, he didn't. But I'm telling you, I was xxxxxxxx-ing a brick waiting at that light!

~ Lonnit
ctfchallenge15-Jun-2005 18:23
I think you're right, Rod. I have a vague memory that if the photo is taken in a public place, offers no monetary gain to the photographer, and is not an embarrassing image, you don't have to worry about signed consent forms. I've submitted a number of surreptitious candids without permission, but I'm always careful to respect the subject's identity and dignity. I agree with Shu, however, that New Englanders have become very suspicious of people taking their pictures, and I'm always afraid that some will get really mad about it. Generally, if the person looks at me, I'll ask if it's OK, and I'm very careful about taking photos of kids I don't know. I'm the "official" photographer for several groups I'm involved with, and sometimes it's really hard not to submit their photos unless I've gotten prior permission.
--Mary Anne
Rod 15-Jun-2005 06:35
Shu I think you only need a signed release if you use their image commercially.
Shu15-Jun-2005 03:14
....Rendered speechless again, Julian! (Well almost!)....professional image in every way!

Mary Anne--Can't you just see us New Englanders going around snapping people pics surreptitiously??? It would probably be more dangerous to ask than not to ask. But I have seen so many characters I would love to photograph, but just don't have the nerve to do so. And here, I believe, you need a signed release from the subject, which really destroys the mood! LOL Shu
Guest 15-Jun-2005 02:20
Excellent! Just excellent!
ctfchallenge15-Jun-2005 02:09
Oh, I didn't think it was you, Julian. I just wondered if he might have snapped you. I know what you mean about people looking too posed if you ask them first. I think you've developed a real knack for shooting quickly without drawing too much attention to yourself (not an easy task when you're the only non-Japanese around). I do enjoy seeing your street portraits.
--Mary Anne
Julian Hebbrecht14-Jun-2005 22:02
No, this is not me. LOL I am a Canon man, remember! I actually met this guy at the Apple Store in Osaka and talked to him. He agreed to pose for some shots but as I had feared, all those shots were too much 'posed' and hence useless. A while later, I caught him in action and took some shots of him without his knowledge. This is one of these later shots. Most of my candid portraits are taken without the people being aware of me taking them. If you first ask permission, they either pose in an unnatural way so the shots are useless or they are too embarressed to pose and refuse. A few times, I've had a few people reacting angrily so then I back off - don't want to have my camera smashed. I am always the only non-Japanese when I venture into the area where the homeless people gather in Osaka so I attract attention. Some people don't mind having their picture taken but a long tele lens is very useful to get natural shots. Even with surreptitious quick snaps, I try to get the most characteristic images of the people I see. The picture here was the best out of six shots and the man with the beard was the best out of five quick snaps.
ctfchallenge14-Jun-2005 20:25
LOL. So, did someone finally get a picture of you??? I have to admit that I've been most impressed with these portraits you take on the street. They're more than just quick snaps...it's as if you capture the essence of your subjects. What's your secret? Do you ask permission, or do you just shoot surreptitiously? Has anyone ever reacted negatively?
--Mary Anne