POV: Street Photography | Should It Be Furtive?

Photo © Tewfic El-Sawy-All Rights Reserved

“Of course it’s all luck.” – Henri Cartier-Bresson

This POV is prompted by a number of recent posts expressing soul-searching angst from various quarters, as well as various photographers expressing some discomfort in utilizing 'guerrilla' (their term...not mine) tactics to get candid photographs of the street.

It seems that a hands-on review of the Fuji X-T1 by the photographer Zack Arias in Marrakech included some of his tips and tricks in capturing unguarded moments of street life, and a number of photographers questioned the ethics of furtive street photography.

I don't have this issue. To me, street photography is furtive in its very essence...and there is no presumption of privacy for individuals in a public place. By definition, street photography is making photographs on the sly.

When I'm pounding the New York City pavements with a M9 or a X Pro-1, I shoot from the hip about 90% of the time. This technique -if you can call it that- ensures that the people I photograph are totally unaware that I am making a photograph of them...and frequently, unaware that I'm even there.

Street photography is -to my mind- synonymous with candid photography. The latter "...is achieved by avoiding prior preparation of the subject and by either surprising the subject or by not distracting the subject during the process of taking photos". (Source: Candid Photography:Wikipedia).

We all know the father of candid photography was the iconic Henri Cartier-Bresson, whose book Images à la Sauvette was published in 1952, was the master of candid photography. Setting aside that his photographs were mostly of unguarded moments, the very title of his book is French for 'furtively'...and not The Decisive Moment as his publisher translated it.

I recall Costa Manos exhorting us in a Havana workshop that successful street photographs ought to have no one looking at the photographer or noticing the camera. It may not have been accurate, since there are many examples of terrific street photography images in which the subjects look directly -and even pose- for the photographer.

When I photograph in religious spaces such as Sufi dargahs or Hindu temples in India...or wherever I am mingling with people going about their daily life, I much prefer photographing furtively and shooting from the hip. This is to capture candid expressions, unposed body language and unplanned layers.

It's impossible for me to avoid attention wherever I travel. A foreigner with a camera is always a focus of attention, and I have to use all sorts of stratagems and 'techniques' to grab frames as I can...ranging from the "I'm a lost tourist in NYC...and I'm looking for street names/landmarks/addresses" while shooting my iPhone...to the gazing in another direction or pretending to be talking on my iPhone whilst shooting my rangefinder from the hip...yes, there are myriads of ways to play the dumb tourist, sightseer or a disinterested photographer.

The iPhone image of the two musicians going for a hug was made by (1) anticipating what they were about to do, and (2) holding the device in my hand as if I was looking at a map. The other image of the Indian men having a snack near the shrine of Nizzam Uddin was made by shooting my X Pro-1 from the hip whilst pretending to be talking on the iPhone. Had I planted myself in front of them with a camera to my eye, they would've stopped eating and awkwardly froze to pose for the picture.

Remember, I'm not photographing to capture people in awkward or embarrassing moments...that's not my interest. My interest is capturing scenes where people are at their most unguarded, at their most normal and candid moments. If one of my frames accidentally depicts someone picking his/her nose...or a man scratching his crotch, the frame gets deleted.

To those who take that as being furtive, sneaky or sly...I say to each his own.

10 tips when travel VietNam

Hanoi is an unquestionable requirement see place, on the off chance that you wish to get doused in a social encounter that is rich and astounding. Hanoi packs everything from old landmarks to recorded artful culminations to rich, green parks and an overall selected zoo. It's a spot where you can be kept occupied for a considerable length of time together without having whenever to get exhausted. This current one's essentially a French-frontier city with lakes, beautiful area and considerably more, which can be accomplished just when here in-individual.

Related post: Vietnam travel

Escape at the Hoan Kiem Lake 

Frequently alluded as the Lake of the Restored Sword, its a magnum opus of Hanoi's society and history which individuals simply rush around to feel flabbergasted.

Initially built as a college in 1070, it portrays genuine Vietnamese style in a customarily created structural planning. Going to this spot will help you see various locales including the Well of Heavenly Clarity, structures, turtle steles, paths, yards and the sky is the limit from there. Likewise, here numerous recorded structures can be found and the spot has now turned into a dedication to writing and instruction.

The spot is a compositional impression of the Old Hanoi. One can have nearby cooking styles strengths here and there is even a night advertise in the heart of this place that can help you look for garments, nourishment, trinkets and then some.

Additionally renowned as the Hanoi Opera House, here you can see French impact in outline and development which got done with building in 1911. It's a spot which remains as a witness to the Revolution of Hanoi and can take you away to very nearly 100 years back's, to observer compositional brilliance taking care of business.

Most seasoned Pagoda in Vietnam, it goes again to 1842 and is an image of Buddhism in the nation. This is a place that offers astonishing perspectives and an incredible feeling to each guest.

Hanoi Hilton: an exhibition hall that cover Hanoi's past

Hanoi Hilton is an everyday term signifying an infamous place that was utilized by French and afterward by North Vietnamese to torment and keep the detainees. John Mccain was a prominent, long-term detainee here and today a piece of this serves as a gallery for vacationers.

See a spot connected with numerous legends: West Lake 

The legend of Golden Buffalo is the most prevalent legend connected with the West Lake, which is the biggest lake in Hanoi. It's otherwise called Ho Tay and is arranged in the northwest piece of Hanoi.

This Granite building holds an extraordinary hugeness for every one of those individuals who wish their adored pioneer to live on until the end of time. The remaining parts of Uncle Ho here are kept exceptionally safeguarded and overall sorted out, security here is tight and suitable dressing is an absolute necessity so as to show regard for this extraordinary individual. The remaining parts are sent to Russia for support, its consequently encouraged to recheck before going by to guarantee that the Mausoleum is interested in visitors.

Today this demonstrations like a legislature house and a little expense is charged to stroll through the grounds here.

Look for good fortunes at the Perfume Pagoda 

Additionally, alluded as the internal sanctuary or Chua Huong, here you can see not few however numerous pagodas, each one offering an alternate sanctum basically Buddhist. The Perfume Pagoda is for guests searching for good fortunes from the stalactites and stalagmites inside the cavern.

How the money adds up 

Along these lines, see history, society and get splashed in excellence that is unexplored when at Hanoi and bear in mind to incorporate this city on your agenda at whatever point arranging Vietnam visits

12 day travel VietNam insught - Travel to VietNam

Experience the best Vietnam brings to the table on this 12 day visit that takes you from South to North. Begin in Saigon then investigate the rich scenes of the Mekong River Delta. Unwind under the whispering palms in Hoian and find Hue's antiquated history. Close your visit with a visit to Vietnam's diverse capital and a pontoon voyage along the shockingly lovely Halong Bay...

Welcome to Vietnam's advanced city: Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). Land in the late morning and delight in an introduction visit through Saigon's clamoring lanes on the way to the inn. Revel in whatever remains of the day at your relaxation to recuperate from plane slack and investigate the city all alone.

Appreciate a full day to visit Saigon's different attractions. Begin with a visit to Saigon's China Town, then research conventional Vietnamese solution at the FITO Museum and search through the astonishing show of products at Ben Thanh Market. Stop for lunch then proceed the city visit with a visit to the War Remnants exhibition hall and previous Presidential Palace. You close the day investigating the city's French provincial structural engineering, halting at the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Post Office.

Today you leave Saigon and make a trip to the Mekong River Delta. Appreciate an early breakfast at the inn before heading to the riverside town, Cai Be. Along the path, stop at a sweet plant and plantation enclosure, where you have a chance to listen to conventional music. Appreciate an unwinding lunch at a riverside restaurant, then cross the waterway by mechanized vessel to visit some fluvial islands and investigate the farmland by bike. Your driver will reach you at Vinh Long wharf and take you to Can Tho City for the night.

Wake early and leave the lodging to visit the acclaimed Cai Rang skimming market by speedboat. Proceed with the pontoon ride to visit the Mekong Delta's popular plantations and specimen the new, extraordinary apples and oranges. At that point wander deeper into the farmland, passing customary houses made of wood and palm leaves as you watch the exercises of the neighborhood individuals. Come back to Can Tho for lunch then drive once more to Saigon, touching base in the late evening.

After breakfast, you are exchanged to the air terminal for your inside flight to Danang. Your aide and driver will reach you at the airplane terminal and undertake the short drive to the languid riverside town, Hoian. Take a half-day strolling visit through the thin slowing down of the antiquated quarter, going by Chua Ong Pagoda, the Chinese Assembly Hall, the 200-year old Tan Ky inborn house and the renowned Japanese Bridge. End the day with an unwinding dusk pontoon trek.

Related post: Vietnam travel

Today you set out on a family run "angler eco-visit". Investigate Hoian's encompassing farmland and wide open then attempt your hand at nearby angling systems as you figure out how to explore a wicker bin vessel through thin conduits. Come back to Hoian toward the evening for a private cooking class.

Delight in breakfast at the inn then check-out and roll over the 500m-high Hai Van go to Hue. Revel in a stop at the grand Lang Co Beach for a beverage before proceeding to Hue - an UNESCO World Heritage Site and Vietnam's previous capital. Use the evening on a lackadaisical strolling visit through the antiquated city. Visit the Royal Citadel, the Imperial Museum, and the Mausoleum of King tu Duc (an imitation of the ruler's royal residence assembled for the following rebirth of the lord).

Use the morning on a private watercraft journey down the sentimental Perfume River to visit the Lady Pagoda (Thien Mu Pagoda), Dong Ba Market and the elaborate Minh Mang's tomb. Drive to the air terminal toward the evening to get your short flight to Vietnam's capital city, Hanoi. Upon landing, get exchanged to your lodging in the downtown area. Free at your recreation.

Today you have a full day to investigate Vietnam's beguiling capital. With its wide tree-lined roads, French frontier construction modeling, tranquil lakes and antiquated oriental pagodas, Hanoi is a mixed blend that offers something for everybody. Your city visit will take you to Hanoi's key locales: the Ho Chi Minh Complex (Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and stilt house), the Presidential Palace, the close-by One Pillar Pagoda; the Temple of Literature; West Lake including the steady Tran Quoc Pagoda & Quan Thanh Temple; and one of the city's exhibition halls (a decision between the History Museum and the Ethnology Museum). Later toward the evening, delight in a conventional Water Puppet Performance – a novel Vietnamese fine art hailing from Southeast Asia 's wet-rice society.

Use 24 hours on a customary Junk Cruise in the astounding narrows: a regular wonderland made out of bulging limestone islands and shining turquoise waters. Land at the dock around twelve and board your garbage. Appreciate a gourmet lunch of crisp fish installed as you cruise out into the magical straight. Toward the evening, voyage around so

Everest 2009: Alan Arnette Interviews Russell Brice

I've mentioned Alan Arnette and his Everest 2009 page a number of times already this year, but it really is one of the best resources for news and information on climbing Everest leading up to, during, and following the season. Alan, who has been no Everest three times in the past, has his fingers on the pulse of the mountaineering community, and is very knowledgeable about this mountain and what it takes to get up and down it.

Today's update to the page is an interview with Russell Brice, the sometimes controversial owner of the Himalayan Experience (or Himex), who has become well known from his appearances on Everest: Beyond the Limit on the Discovery Channel. Brice, and his Himex team, will be returning to Everest this year after getting shutout last year thanks to the Chinese closing down the North Side. Hedging his bets this season, Brice has moved the expedition to the South Side, which is proving to be quite astute considering access to the Tibetan side of the mountain is in jeopardy once again this year.

In the interview, Russell talks about his thoughts on climbing on the South Side, after dominating the North for a decade. He touches on the differences in logistics, and what it will be like to be climbing with Tigress Productions once again, who will be filming the expedition for Discovery.

All in all, a good interview from the man, and I commend Alan for being able to get Russell to comment. Brice is a man of few words, who doesn't really look for the spotlight, so it's quite rare to hear directly from him like this. Great work Alan, and welcome to the South Side Russell.

Swazi Xtreme Adventure Race Underway

Does South Africa have some kind of monopoly on cool races? Yesterday we had word of a cool new extreme trail race, and today marks the beginning of the 9th annual Royal Experience Swazi Xtreme Adventure Race.

Now, to be fair, Swaziland is an independent kingdom within South Africa. They have their own currency and everything. The remote and rugged terrain that covers much of the region is perfect for testing adventure athletes, and the Swazi Xtreme will do just that.

The race comes in two flavors, Pro and Sport. The Pro event runs non-stop, day and night, with teams going as much as 60 hours straight, while the Sport version offers three distinct stages, with a start and finish line each day. Both versions of the race feature teams of 2 or 4, which can be either coed or same gender. Those teams will be hiking, mountain biking, paddling, and bouldering their way across some of the most demanding terrain in the region.

To follow the event as it unfolds, a blog has been set up and updates are already beginning to make their way in. Race organizer Darron Raw has already begun filling us in on the details, with insights into the first stages of the race. Read his updates at the Swazi Xtreme Blog.

Thanks to Lisa from AR.co.za for giving me the heads up on the race.

North Pole 2009: The Ice...It Moves!

Lots of activity already underway up North. Teams have been dropped off on Ward Hunt Island, a traditional starting point for many heading to the North Pole from the Canadian side, and reports are already flowing in.

The Catlin Arctic Survey Team was off and running a few days ago, although they aren't in any particular rush to get anywhere. They'll be taking important radar surveys of the ice along their way to the North Pole to record the impact of global climate change on the Arctic. As for the health of the team, it's "so far, so good" for most of them, although famed arctic explorer Pen Hadow did crack a tooth biting into a chocolate bar that was frozen solid. I don't think he's going to find a dentist anytime soon.

The team did experience a bit of a crazy moment already however. Yesterday they were camped for the night and taking some core samples of the ice, but around 10 PM, settled into their tent, they were a bit startled to find the ice shaking rather dramatically under them. That was enough to make them a bit unsettled, so they packed up their gear and skied another 2.5 hours to find a more stable area to rest for the night. Unstable ice is not uncommon for expeditions to the North Pole, but it's certainly not something you want to ignore either. Between that, negative drift, and the polar bears, heading north can be quite a harrowing and frustrating experience.

Yesterday was also the first day out on the ice for Christina Franco, who was dropped off at Ward Hunt, where she was acclimatizing to the cold temperatures, which are reportedly hovering around the -45º C (-49º F). After covering a short distance, Christina set up camp and prepared for her first full day on the ice today, where she hopes to make some solid miles and get use to the rigors of pulling her sled in the actual arctic conditions. This is just the first step towards her goal of becoming the first woman to goal solo to the North Pole.

The Victorinox North Pole Team also hit Ward Hunt Island a few days back, and have begun their journey to the Pole as well. John Huston and Tyler Fish are hoping to become the first Americans to make that journey without assistance. As of now, they have covered 2.57 nautical miles, leaving them just 413 to go before they reach their destination.

One thing of note. When comparing the mileage numbers for the North Pole explorers to those of the South, remember that in Antarctica, the teams are actually on solid ground, which is not the case up north. Early mileage for the arctic teams will seem quite small at first, and progress will seem painfully slow, although they will pick up steam as they get further north. Part of the slow progress early on is due to the conditions of the ice, which can often be unsteady and make for large portions of open water that need to be navigated around or swum across. Negative drift doesn't help the process either, as the ice will actually move the teams backwards at times or they'll walk all day just to find that they haven't really made any positive progress toward the Pole. It really is a completely different and unique experience.

The Peary Centennial Expedition was still in Resolute Bay as of yesterday, grounded by poor weather. They're hoping that things will clear up today so they can make the flight to Ward Hunt as well. Reports are that there are a couple of other teams waiting to head out soon too.

Stay warm everyone. Watch out for those cuddly white bears!

Viviana Peretti | Colombian Easter

Photo © Viviana Peretti-All Rights Reserved

I'm generally impressed with photographs produced with an iPhone and the Hispstamatic's various filters, especially the Tintype Tinto 1884 lens and the D-Type film pack....and Viviana Peretti is one of the masters of this discipline. It's not as easy as one may think, and to do it well requires compositional skills that go beyond the standard.

She recently was in the Colombian region of Quindio, and photographed the Easter celebrations in the small towns of Salento and Pijao, and produced her Easter In Colombia gallery.

Viviana Peretti is an Italian freelance photographer based in New York where in 2010 she graduated in Documentary Photography and Photojournalism from the International Center of Photography (ICP).

In 2000, after graduating Magna Cum Laude with a BA in Anthropology from the University of Rome, she moved to Colombia where she specialized in photojournalism and spent nine years working as a freelance photographer.

Viviana has received fellowships and awards from the International Center of Photography, the Joannie M. Chen Fund in New York, CNN, the Fondation Bruni-Sarkozy in France, FotoVisura, the University of Salamanca, the Spanish Embassy in Colombia, the Photo Museum in Bogota, and the Colombian Ministry of Culture. In 2010 she has been selected for the Eddie Adams Workshop, Barnstorm XXIII. In 2013-2014 Viviana has been an Artist-in-Residence at L’École Nationale Supérieure de la Photographie (ENSP) in Arles, France.

Her work has been published in a number of international media outlets including The New York Times, Newsweek, BBC, CNN, L'Oeil de la Photographie, New York Magazine, Le Journal de la Photographie, and L'Espresso.