Street Photography Now Project #2

This week's quote is:

"Turn your attention to the four-legged population" - Ying Tang

OK. I've decided to do a little research on each artist who provides the quote each week.  Not extensive, but I found the whole Gilden 'thing' last week a real catalyst as his approach is so extreme, particularly having studied that of Helen Levitt, who was far less 'in your face' than he is.  Perhaps the acceptable level of 'closeness' to the subject has altered since Levitt was in the streets.

Ying Tang, again works predominantly in black and white, which seems to be the favoured format in street photography.  It may tell a stronger story but personally I find it a shame as I love the eye-popping realism of colour. There is an interview by The Invisible Photographer on her work here. I found this quote particularly interesting:

How does it feel to be a female street photographer in Shanghai?

Just like in any kind of career, being female sometimes make it unique. I think especially with photography, people tend to be a bit more relaxed if they are aware that the photographer is female. And if your subject is a female herself, she will feel less hostile against you. My point of view as a street photographer may also be a bit different to a male photographer’s. I am a bit more focused on details, and I have a lot of pictures of dogs and kids. Maybe that is a female instinct. I don’t know, I just like shooting what interests me.

I was drawn on one level to review Helen Levitt's work because of her subject matter being amongst other things children and animals.  And I wonder if there is any truth in this statement from Wing Tang. It isn't something I've thought about before.

I found it considerably easier finding animals and their owners to photograph, although more were with 'consent' than 'candid'.  I have also decided that for this particular genre of photography my Wednesday 'slot' isn't right.  I need to get out at weekends to find the volume of people.  But personally I have all manner of family commitments so it is much harder to find the dedicated time. Alternatively, I may have to take an occasional day out to go to a city where I can work intensively for a day. 

This is the image I chose to submit for this week's quote. I'm slightly less ashamed of this attempt than the previous weeks!!  Still not exactly a decisive moment!! I haven't time this week to edit and post the others. But photographing animals is clearly a 'gentler' opener to street photography than Gilden's!