Go Urban

Hi everyone, congratulations to Sarah Perks for winning March’s Still Life Challenge. Don’t forget this month’s Go Urban Photo Challenge winner will be announced at the start of May, so make sure you submit your entry before the closing date of 9th May to be in with a chance of winning!

This month’s photography subject is ‘Go Urban’, looking at some of the pictures taken by up-and-coming photographer Will Cooper-Mitchell shot exclusively on the Lumix GF2.

As you will see from Will’s great shots, he has an approach to photography that puts you right there in the scene. You almost feel you are that ‘fly on the wall’!

In the ‘A City Exposed’ series, Will used the Lumix GF2 with the 20mm lens. All shots were taken using the RAW setting and further enhanced through minor post-production processing techniques.

I have selected some of my favourite photographs from the series to inspire you to ‘Go Urban’ with your Lumix G.

Shot 1 “The Fire Escape”

This is a great viewpoint, and the use of natural light works so well with the subject looking away from the camera.

• Exposure: 1/160sec
• Aperture: 1.7
• Focal Length: 20mm
• ISO Speed: 100

Tip - Always try to look for an unusual viewpoint. Don’t shoot from your own eye level every time; get down low or, as in this case, up high and looking down. Try shooting the same view from varying camera heights to compare later.

Shot 2 “Acht bis Neun”

A great observation of the glowing number sign lighting its immediate surroundings.

• Exposure: 1/60sec
• Aperture: 1.7
• Focal Length: 20mm
• ISO Speed: 160

Tip - Experiment by taking shots of anything and everything that catches your eye! You can always edit later. You will be surprised how a shot that didn’t feel right at the time can be great with some post-shoot cropping and balancing.

Shot 3 “A View from a Café”

Will’s observation of a complex street scene here, viewed from the inside of a sandwich bar, gives you an outlook on the urban setting that’s really engaging. The timing of the shot to include a passing stranger really strengthens and scales the composition.

• Exposure: 1/1000sec
• Aperture: 2
• Focal Length: 20mm
• ISO Speed: 100

Tip – Carrying you camera whenever you can will help capture these unusual moments. Will’s shot here was probably taken simply while he was waiting for a coffee; he was inspired by the cluttered street scene framed through the window.

Shot 4 “Windows on the City Canalside Flats”

This is a really well-observed night scene and so simple. As so often, less is more.

• Exposure: 1/13sec
• Aperture: 3.2
• Focal Length: 20mm
• ISO Speed: 200

Tip - ‘Think in rectangles or squares.’ This shot is great because of the totally black background interspersed with illuminated windows filling the frame. Also notice here that Will has framed the buildings windows and not the full building to great effect. Try this technique yourself using the full frame.

Shot 5 “Nic and his Greyhound”

Another great shot with a nice low viewpoint to increase the perspective. I love the subjects central position within the frame. Also notice how Will has adjusted the saturation on this shot to great effect.

• Exposure: 1/30sec
• Aperture: 1.7
• Focal Length: 20mm
• ISO Speed: 800

Tip - Don’t always worry about the technical side of photography; instead, ‘Always capture the moment’. If you’re worrying about your camera settings, you may miss the shot! So, if you’re not up to speed with all that your Lumix  G can do, don’t forget the ‘Intelligent Auto’ settings can help you quickly configure your camara for a number of situations.

Shot 6 “A Strong Cup of Tea”

Low sunlight across a café table; another simple idea. The shadows and bird’s-eye view, combined with the asymmetric composition, are perfect in this photograph.

• Exposure: 1/2500sec
• Aperture: 2.8
• Focal Length: 20mm
• ISO Speed: 100

Tip - Always observe the direction of the sun and use it to your advantage. Shooting at dawn or dusk can enhance any shot. This one’s strength is all about the shadows combined with the overhead viewpoint.

Shot 7 “In These Hands…”

This is a shot that ‘oozes’ character. Not seeing the subjects face, but only his arms and hands, leaves you guessing what lurks behind! A really gritty shot.

• Exposure: 1/250sec
• Aperture: 2.8
• Focal Length: 20mm
• ISO Speed: 200

Tip – When shooting people in a public environment, engage them in conversation and ask for their permission. This will also help get better photographs of your subject.

Well, I hope this article has inspired you to start thinking about capturing Urban Photography on your Lumix G. For further inspiration you can see more of Will’s photography in the Lumix GF2 ‘A City Exposed’ photography series.

I look forward to seeing your examples of Urban Photography in this month’s Photo Challenge.

Good luck,

Phil Surbey