Project Wide-angle: close and involved

Wide-angle lens is invaluable in reportage and street photography as it allows to take in a much more of the surroundings and by doing so, it helps to tell the story. This could represent a challenge for the photographer  because of the need and the necessity to get quite close to the subject.

For this exercise I decided to push my own boundaries and try to get as close as possible to someone who I have never met before to take photos as a close range with a wide-angle lens. I realised that the task was challenging and that I might not succeed but nevertheless decided to have a go, even if my attempt does not bring the desired results. 

I happened to walk into St Pancras train station to witness a very interesting and totally spontaneous event. A man with a child in a push chair stopped to listen to a lady playing a piano. They were obviously total strangers but the baby's reaction to the music and her singing  somehow brought them together to enjoy the music for a brief moment. I jumped on the chance to take some photos asking their permission first - by that time both the man and the woman were so excited and enjoying the moment that they waived at me happily.

I used my Canon 5D Mark II with a 16 to 35 mm wide angle zoom lens. I had to open the aperture and change ISO to 800 to make up for the lack of light and my constantly moving and active subjects. I found that I could not use the wide-angle lens at its widest point (16 mm) even if I wanted to as at 29 I was already so close to my subject that the piano was stopping me to get any closer! Amazingly, the couple continued enjoying themselves despite the fact that my camera lens was at such a close range to them! I tried to use both vertical and horizontal framing to compensate for inability to move around my subjects - unfortunately once the position was chosen there seemed to be no way of walking to the other side without upsetting the whole harmony of the image. 

Image 1

I tried to use the length of the piano as a natural line when framing this shot. I wanted this line to lead from the lady piano player to the man and the baby creating a connection between my subjects. I thought this was important as they weren't looking at each other. I've chosen this image because the man's stretched hand formed another line making the composition of the image even stronger. 

I also liked the matching red scarves and the sense of movement in the top part of the photo.  

Image 2

I liked baby's face expression caught in this image - the mixture of curiosity and awe. The piano player's face is lively and beautifully lit up by a smile. The moving figures on the background bring to focus the precious moment of life happening immediately in front of the camera. I decided to make this image black and white to emphasise the emotions so the viewer can enjoy and soak them whilst looking at the picture. 

Image 3  

I have chosen this image because of the wonderfully warm eye to eye contact between the man and the baby. 

It was a bit challenging to decide on how to frame this shot: I was not sure if I should keep the man in the right hand corner within the shot or try and close in even more on my subjects. I decided to keep the figures in the background as they help to explain the setting and tell us about the environment.  

Image 4

None of the main characters are looking at each other in this image but nevertheless they are all connected! I like this image in black and white as it helps to focus more on the emotions, especially on baby's face. 

Image 5

I've pressed the shutter as the main characters burst into laughter! It really was my lucky moment. I love the baby's wonderfully expressive face in this image. Human emotions are beautiful and it is very rewarding to be able to catch them in a photo. 

My lessons learnt:

Being so close to my subjects made me very much part of the event. I had a long chat with the lady piano player after the man with the baby were gone. It is amazing how photography can make you feel close to the people you photograph.   

I was lucky to find myself in the situation where my chosen subjects were happy to be photographed at such close range. I am aware that it does not always happen. I feel it is important to consider if my subject feels comfortable - I would always try and seek permission (even if only by raising my camera to indicate the intention) and would move away if people aren't comfortable being photographed.