Captured #06: June 2024

I’m getting photographic cabin fever from being stuck in Edinburgh for too long. Don’t get me wrong, I’m lucky to be here and I love shooting around town, but I’m definitely starting to climb the walls a bit. I had a couple of brief trips out of town in May, but my inner travel photographer is pining for a longer trip somewhere different. Fortunately, a holiday is just around the corner and while it’s not specifically a photography trip, the X100V should get a decent workout. Can’t wait! 📷

June has been a mixed bag for me photography-wise. I’ve been trying to shoot different styles which has reinforced that I’m not (yet?) very good at that “candid” style of the school of Meyerowitz, Winogrand or Levitt (or Mike Chudley, Cal Holland et al for the YouTube generation). I keep trying, but I don’t really enjoy it if I’m being honest. This style (considered to be the “pure” form of street photography) always feels rather intrusive to me. I don’t want a 28mm Summilux shoved in my face, so why would I shove mine in someone else’s? Apart from the fact I don’t have a Leica. Or a 28mm lens.

Perhaps that’s where I’m going wrong?

Tay Tay in town

Edinburgh was at fever pitch in June when Taylor Swift arrived for her first UK Eras Tour gigs. This was as good an opportunity as you’ll get for shooting candid street. The shows coincided with a fun Street Photo Social meet up on the Saturday (17 people – a record!). Here are some of the shots I took trying out that candid style (not very successfully).

I managed to bag some eye-watering-but-could-have-been-worse last minute standing tickets from the Viagogo extortionists and attended the Eras Tour show on the Sunday. It really was an unforgettable experience as these iPhone pics (which are actually video stills) show.

A few more photos from June 2024

Here are some of my favourites of the month. What do you reckon?

Square Eyes

Some tubes I’ve been goggling.

• I’m a big Paulie B fan, especially his walkie talkie videos where he interviews a street photographer while wandering around the city. I thought his recent one with Olu Okimiute was excellent – mainly because Olu was such a positive, good vibes kinda guy. Love him!
• Paulie B also did a trilogy of videos about a road trip to watch the solar eclipse at Niagara Falls.
• I love Framelines mag and they also have a YouTube channel. Their interview with street legend Matt Stuart was really good. A Day of Street Photography with Matt Stuart.
• James Popsys is always worth a watch. He did a video with tips for good photos in sunshine.
• I enjoyed Four days of film photography in Barcelona from Mike Chudley. I went to Barcelona for a long weekend of photography last year so it was good to compare and contrast his photos. Below are a couple of my faves I took. What a wonderful city. I must sort out another city break at some point…

Bookworms

• The ever-excellent Framelines have published Issue 08. Recommended!
• I got a feature in Amateur Photographer Magazine. You can read about it on my blog.
• Photography is Easy, Photography is Difficult is an essay by Paul Graham (the photographer, not that Paul Graham). It’s from 2009 but still very relevant. Essentially it’s about how photography is more accessible than ever, but creating significant, impactful, or artistic photography is profoundly challenging. You’re not kidding! 😅

If you’ve come across any books, zines or blog posts please do share them with me. I love this stuff!

Shopping Habits

Some fun stuff I’ve spotted for sale.

• Lomomatic 110 Camera Golden Gate. I mean, seriously. Who doesn’t want a 23mm pocket-sized 110 with retro poolside vibes? I might not be able to resist this…
• Leica launched Leica LUX which claims to be “The iPhone app for the iconic Leica Look”. I had a quick go and some of the filters look nice, but most of them are trapped behind a ridiculous, Leica-level $69.99/year paywall. Fujifilm film simulations are much better tbh.

Listening Party 📼

A bit like my June photo haul, it’s been mainly tumbleweeds when I’ve tried to find new music this month. To be honest, Taylor has been on rotation a lot anyway. But rather than recommend TTPD (which is very good, can’t deny), here’s something a bit more chill.

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Right, over and out. Summer beckons… byeee 🏖️