Street Photography Spotlight 2: Pampin Shadows

[@jeffadrian7271]

Omar, the nice thing about using mirrorless cameras (I shoot with an X Pro 2, XT-2, and x100F) is this approach allows me to embrace my shadows in camera with very little if any post processing. For my "shaft-of-light" images, I switch to manual exposure mode, setting my ISO, shutter speed and aperture for the highlight area of the image, letting my blacks be blacks. With the electronic viewfinder of mirrorless cameras this is easy to visualize as we can see the "results" before making the image. So when the opportunity presents itself, I always try to take advantage of this dramatic lighting to create an image that has some mystery to it, drawing the viewer in to the moment. Enjoy your upcoming trip to Spain!

[@JoeyShip]

This high contrast street photography is my favorite. You can do It in camera to a degree and then just minor adjustments in capture one or Lightroom afterword. To learn to use shadows more, I created a custom, high contrast, monochrome film style on my xt3...It helped me see the potential contrast in a scene looking through my EVF. Now It comes more naturally to me and I often times find myself looking for shadows rather than light.

[@ogonzilla]

So great thanks!

[@d.cassarino]

Hi, could you say the setting? So I could try it out on my X-E2

[@bellacavachon7510]

Have a great time in Barcelona, Omar. If you are going out by yourself late at night, please take care of yourself and your equipment and be conscious of your surroundings.

[@ogonzilla]

Yup!!

[@atroche1978]

Pickpocket paradise! Mind all your stuff on the subway as well.

[@alemp1987]

Tony Alpha I live in Barcelona and used to in Buenos Aires... there is where you have to be aware of your surroundings. In Barcelona you can walk no matter how late and you’ll be fine...I’ve been more cautioned in NYC than in Barcelona.

[@mauistevebear]

First, let me just say, Kudos for highlighting a different technique from another artist! Secondly, I' am so guilty myself of wanting to bring everything upfront. Never have I thought that underexposed images could be so dramatic, as I always want to bring those shadows up. Just goes to show you that the 'norm' doesn't always convey artistic qualities! Thx Omar, and have a great trip! Can't wait to see what you come back with!

[@nenatirkkonen1659]

Omar, thank You for this Spotlight series! When You have time take a look at a Finnish photographer Hannes Heikura (1958-2015). He was an awarded photojournalist but also had many projects of his own mainly concentrating on shooting the streets of our capital, Helsinki. He embraced his shadows.

[@bobdot1000]

Really good series Omar which you are showcasing in your own inimitable way. As a suggestion I think it's worth looking back at some of the early pioneers of street photography particularly the 1930's and would recommend having a look at the work of Brassai especially his series "Paris by Night". Hope your visit to Espania goes well.

[@angylc5310]

Barcelona!! You need to go up the Parc Güell, and once "on the top" of the park, turn around, you can go further up, on the hill behind!! The view is MUCH better! (I use to live 2min walk away from that spot) Took SO many early morning, sunset, night (whenever^^) photography from there!! (I don't usually share this spot to avoid making it too touristy, but I like your videos...)

[@mauricewebster]

Wonderful city Omar - you will have a great time. El Born, Gothic Quarter and Gracia are all perfect for street photography. Enjoy!

[@TheBigNegative-PhotoChannel]

Hey Omar. IT's easy to get this style. Set your Fujifilm camera to -2 EV and push contrast in post. Or watch Sean Tuckers latest videos there you see how this style looks like unprocessed.

[@ogonzilla]

Thanks. 😊👍

[@wanakoplays8874]

"I light people up! Light light!" So, what you're saying is your photos are lit. 🔥

[@ogonzilla]

Haha. Nice.

[@zolen3046]

Hi Omar! I'm usually in Barcelona. I would say you must visit el barrio gótico and El raval, preferably 1 or 2 hours before sunset or after sunrise to get that glorious shadows ;) then Montjuic, parc güell and sunset in the bunkers at turó de la rovira wich is very close to parc güell, there you'll get a stunning panoramic of the city. Of course sagrada familia, main catedral, la pedrera and casa Batlló are a must but you already knew that. If you get tired of city (wich I don't think you will in 3 days) going up to tibidabo and laberinto de horta is always a good idea. Be aware of pickpockers in subway and tourist areas like ramblas and so, not really serious as some alarmist will tell you, just common sense and wallets in front pockets.

[@paul8914]

Deep Shadows that hide the face like you've shown are not typically done in post. it's essentially simply about picking the right time of day and spot metering on the strongest highlight such as the person's hat for example. That's typically how such shots are done. it's very location driven (places with heavy shadows and strong shafts of light), time of day driven in the sense that you have to pick the right time where the light is at its harshest and the shadows are at their strongest and the rest is specifically spot metering where you tie in your focus square to your spot metering in your settings. so in the case of that hat picture you would focus on the hat and it would spot metre the hat and drop everything else into dark shadows. I've done that myself countless times. I should also mention that it's also about picking the right Fuji colour profile because something like pro-neg high or classic chrome is what gives you that strong shadow effect and also having the right highlight and shadow recipe in your custom profiles in camera. That's pretty important. Picking hard shadows and highlights in camera and spot metering. That's it. First time i shot a Fuji i pulled off that kind of shot and i fell in love lol. If you don't spot meter, you would need to drop exposure compensation to -1 or -2 even

[@DamianBrown]

All the main spots have been mentioned but really there's something to shoot all over that place. Another place is to Take your mom to the beach at Barceloneta, super easy to get to and very chilled out. I'd did that and my mom enjoyed it there possibly more than the hours of endless walking Barcelona itself. I've been a few times and been stuck in blackouts and still not been pickpocketed, if you have street smarts you should be ok with that. Caution as always but it'd a busy place and there's always something happening. Meanwhile I'll be in NJ / NYC with my mother soon 😂

[@theampedlife]

You GOTTA go to the Gothic Quarter in Barcelona. Street photography heaven 👌

[@helencogan2187]

Great video as always..what camera and lens will be joining you?? HAVE FUN! Safe travels...

[@1977swampy]

Omar, get Transferwise or Revolut card, don't take so much cash with you. Visit Sagrada Família, the view from the top is breath taking and you can take some great photos going up and down. Bring wide angle lens with you. Some of the streets are really narrow. Beach side could be cool for some street photography. When are you going to visit Prague? It's a great city for street photography, you could combine it with Vienna and Berlin, the holy trinity for street photography.

[@bomber95xd]

Omar, look for Sean Tucker. He explains how his shadows fall to black. Its because of his Fuji xt20 😜 greetings from Germany

[@poppop-oj6by]

I like this series. Maybe you could use another source like flickr where photos are full screen. Might make it easier to use in the video.

[@atroche1978]

Go to La Rambla, the Boqueria, El Raval neighborhood and the Gothic Quarter. There's actually allot to see but those areas are great starting points.

[@SoMDeadeye]

Omar! I went to Barcelona two years ago. Definitely check out the Gothic quarter for some really amazing and beautiful architecture that casts some nice shadows for street!

[@q3aki]

aaahhhh the purple light is here!

[@gabrielrosu3977]

Do ihoworth next, he has incredibly inspiring art

[@marvesrivas307]

I have zero tips for Barcelona! Just wanted to leave a comment since I think it’s been awhile since the last time i left one.... Great video! 👍

[@Bloggerky]

Excellent piece; short, punchy, and to the point. See Sean Tucker's work on KZbin for related commentary on using shadows in street photography. Thanks, as always.

[@axelkeuchel5728]

Hey Omar, enjoy Spain and Barcelona! It’s a great place with wonderful food, lots of art and a very relaxed lifestyle. There is just one downside: over the last couple of years Barcelona has become tremendously popular, and there are quite a lot of tourists - probably too many. But in the end, it depends on your own style of traveling how the locals will look at you. And I think it will be easy for you. Just go with the flow, accept that the lifestyle might be a little different from what you’re used to and try to avoid the crowds (which won‘t be easy). From what I see in your videos I‘m pretty sure you will have a good time😉👋✌️.

[@ogonzilla]

Thanks for the advice! With Mom we just plan to stroll and eat. She's never been to Europe.

[@Mindcore777]

The Frodo part induced a full out belly laugh. Thanks

[@ogonzilla]

,😂😂 FOBL

[@jw0001]

Nice video. Hope your trip goes well. I can’t seem to find your first “embracing the shadows “ video.

[@memusetoo]

Have fun in Spain and look for (google) street art to backdrop your photos. Also the market. I like hard shadows that I do in camera using spot focus and exposing for the highlights throws everything else into shadow. Sean Tucker taught me that. Enjoy!

[@AltieresGomes]

Great video!! If you wanna talk about someone who loves shadows, this guy is Sean Tucker! I LOVE his work! Probably you will too, if you don't know him yet!

[@ogonzilla]

Haha. Actually had him in this episode but edited out for time

[@Bazzasphotolife]

Embrace Barcelona, the most beautiful city on earth. Hasta la vista, Omar!

[@SamuelStreetlife]

Damn I will be in Barcelona a week after you. Missed you by a hair. Enjoy your trip! Love this series by the way!

[@joachimhennrichs1089]

Omar, I absolutely love your videos! Fun, informative and inspirational! Great work!

[@raveG244]

Love this video, love how enthusiastic you are about somebody else's work. There is so little talk about images, styles, ways to look at things in the photo community that this is so refreshingly different. You didn't mention his gear even once. Or did you?

[@ogonzilla]

Did not

[@timbliss8777]

Expose for the highlight and let the shadow fall where it does. You can bring down the shadows a little in post but a lot of time in the strong light you don't have to as the dynamic range will let the shadows just go black.

[@louka77]

Great series. Keep it up.

[@SweetJasamine]

Have a fab time in Barcelona. Are you taking Dan Brown's book "Origin" with you? Thanks for this review, loved the silhouette images.

[@simonwilliams2109]

Hi Omar, Love the pic's. Enjoy the time off!

[@TENGUJAPON]

Pampin shadows hahaha. It depends on the scene, you can do this on camera (like 2:18) or in post-process (like 3:10). Some photographers like Alan Schaller even erase parts of the picture and fill them with pure white or pure black. Also some photographers underexpose faces/bodies by painting the contour with the Photoshop tool. But even photgraphers who "cheat" by painting and exagerating the shadows need to have a great vision and read the scene. If you choose the wrong scene, the results will be poor haha

[@GabrielScindian]

Enjoy the time with moms!!! I wish mines would travel. She is scared of flying which i do not understand why since she is from Trinidad

[@-grey]

Cinematography really inspires me to embrace my shadows. Exposing for highlights is really cinematic. I just watched the X-T3 video from GxAce, and he captures that "under exposed" look so well.

[@ogonzilla]

Will check out!!! Thanks

[@ricaa50]

Thanks for sharing this. Really got me motivated to try something different.

[@deanpettitt121]

That’s some very cool work! I’m sure you have already, but if not, check out Sean Tucker on Insta or KZbin, he’s big on contrasty light, it’s very fashionable currently, but it’s also great to highlight that mid-day shooting can be super effective, it doesn’t always have to be about Golden or Blue hour. Have an awesome time in Spain - not sure if it was intentional to say that you weren’t sure if you were going to be able to ‘stay up’ for night shooting, directly after saying you were going with your Mum but it made me giggle. (The kids are always allowed to stay up a little later than normal when on holibobs 😂😂😂😂)

[@MikesVoyagesAndDrives]

Exactly what you say ... you're lighting us up :) most of the time ... have fun in Spain and don't bring back any Euros :) take a walk on the dark side ...

[@airplanenut6242]

Definitely go to Sagrada Familia and bring a super wide lens. 👍

[@buc71x24]

Interesting! Have a good trip!

[@robinbhairam7508]

Where’s Spotlight 1 O? Can’t seem to find it? (Before I watch 2!) - tnx

[@ogonzilla]

Links

[@OrenBVideo]

Wonderful

[@annawasniowska8625]

love it, you made me laugh outloud :)))))))

[@snax_4820]

Take the plane and fly to Napoli !

[@rohirrimstudios8435]

Reminds me of @bewaremyfuji's work!

[@vidorintr]

I thought this is Sean Tucker video because of the thumbnail lol

[@JasonRenoux]

Awesome trip ahead of you. Barcelona is amazing. Tapas and nightlife is great...keep in mind Spaniards do come out late at night, so make sure to get the 12 o'clock ticket from mommy 🤣🤣🤣 Also, check out this amazing talented photographer @eduardo.asenjo.matus on Insta. His work is very interesting.

[@ogonzilla]

Cool. Will do. Thanks so much

[@johnyyjoestaro]

love your work wish you all the best and succes sorry for grammar(

[@cervantes43210]

For Barcelona, I recommend going to La Sagrada Familia basilica, also, Barcelona has a lot of gothic architecture.

[@justintongol7581]

You should check out @sixstreetunder !

[@sonholee5769]

Guadi, eat, Guadi, eat... repeat, repeat, repeat... hahahahahaha

[@JanneRanta]

Just a heads up. Spain is basically the only country (afaik) where you aren't allowed to photograph people in public. And photographing police especially is a no no.

[@ogonzilla]

Ooooo. Good to know thanks!!!

[@raveG244]

@@ogonzilla Spain is not the only country with strong privacy protections. Even before the EU came up with the GDPR, countries like Germany gave people rights to prohibit others from taking (!) their photos without consent. On the steet and everywhere. Check this out and then you'll probably find more reasons to hide faces in the shadows. petapixel.com/2018/05/30/how-bad-is-gdpr-for-photographers/

[@atroche1978]

Compose the scene first then wait for a subject. "Click!" Would that be an issue?

[@JanneRanta]

@@raveG244 First of all GDPR makes exception for legimate use, and the freedom of expression absolutely is one. Also as far as spain is concerned the law afaik hasn't been properly challenged yet.

[@raveG244]

@@JanneRanta Are you familiar with European Privacy Laws? "Freedom of Expression" is a term more pertinent to U.S. legal discourse, and it does not give you any "absolute" rights to take photos of whatever you want--not even in the U.S. Just take a look at the link. I have a German and U.S. law degree and would be careful to to just shoot away and claim freedom of expression later. But I'd rather talk about photography.

[@MickeyGooner]

Search for the small streets in Barcelona, loved walking there

[@tomislavmiletic_]

If you go to BARCELONA, keep your hard earned cssh in the safe place, not in the back pocket of your jeans...

[@ZulHarry-05]

You’re mama boy eh 😂😂😂