Shooter Files by f.d. walker

Street Photography Tips, Interaction, Travel, Guides

33 Street Photography Photos from 10 days in Athens & Rethymno, Greece

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While living in Istanbul, I wanted to visit some bordering countries for a few shorter trips. The first country I visited was Georgia, mostly in Tbilisi. Then after a couple of weeks back home, I took another quick plane ride to the island of Crete in Greece. There, I spent a week in Rethymno and then took the ferry to Athens to spend a few more days before returning to Istanbul. 

So in all, I spent around 10 days in Greece, keeping it relaxed by only focusing on two cities. The weather was extremely hot and the sun was out pretty much the whole time so I, of course, spent most of my free time outside with my camera.

Since Rethymno life, especially in the summer, is centered around its beaches, I tried focusing on this aspect of the city while I was there. It was an interesting experience shooting Street Photography on the beach, but Rethymno was a great place for it because of how relaxed the vibe and people are. As far as Athens goes, I had to check out the historic spots of course, but I still managed to mix in some street photography inspired shots even there too. 

So here’s 33 photos from my 10 days in Greece, starting in reverse with Athens and finishing at the beach in Rethymno…

33 Street Photography Photos from Athens & Rethymno, Greece

Starting in Athens…

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Street Shot Sundays
Photo of the Week: “Shadow’s Hand”

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Street Shot Sundays Story & Stats

Story:

This Sunday’s Street Shot of the Week was taken in Istanbul, Turkey at the Fatih Mosque near Çarşamba. The mosque has a large courtyard where people gather and relax during the day. Facing the courtyard, it also has a very long wall of seats and fountains for washing your hands and feet, a Muslim ritual called wudu. On this day, the light was extra bright and casting strong shadows of the people washing there. I noticed this lady, covered in all black, almost matching her shadow and creating an interesting effect. So I got up close and made a few shots hoping to capture her shadow doing something that made it look almost like a separate person. This is the shot I liked the most since it gives the look that her shadow is reaching out towards her. I normally only shoot color, but I had to edit this one in black and white since it fit the image so much better.

Stats:

  • Aperture: f/16
  • Shutter Speed: 1/500
  • ISO: 400
  • Focal Length: 35mm

A Shooter in Austria
with Enrico Markus Essl

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*A Shooter Files interview series featuring photographers from around the world with a focus on capturing Street Photography in their own cities and countries 

The Shooter :

Enrico Markus Essl

Enrico was born in Linz, the third largest city in Austria. While he currently still lives in Linz, he has also lived in Salzburg and enjoys spending time shooting the streets of Vienna. So it’s safe to say, he has plenty of experience photographing life in Austria. 

[Read more…]

Side Street Series: The Cable Car City of Chiatura

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*Side Street Series ventures off the beaten city streets. Many times, the photography ventures away from Street Photography too.

The Cable Car City of Chiatura

One of the highlights of my trip to Tbilisi, Georgia was actually a place outside of Tbilisi. A city like no city I’ve been to before, but one most people have never heard of. 

Chiatura, Georgia

So What’s So Unique About It?

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Street Shot Sundays
Photo of the Week: “Garbage Can Selfie”

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Street Shot Sundays Story & Stats

Story:

This Sunday’s Street Shot of the Week was taken in Istanbul, Turkey in Eminönü by the Galata Bridge. I was walking by the seafront where they sell all the fish sandwiches and just before walking up the steps to the bridge I noticed these three girls taking selfies. They were sitting on the normally crowded steps, but at this time no one was around them. For whatever reason they were huddled together behind a garbage can while taking selfies, which created an amusing scene. I knew as soon as they saw me, they’d probably stop so I tried getting as close as possible and quickly taking the shot before it disappeared. I also tried to get their faces framed inside the garbage can as much as I could and this shot was taken at the exact distance they first noticed me. They quickly stopped their garbage can hidden selfies, but as soon as I was up the stairs above, they were back at it.

Stats:

  • Aperture: f/11
  • Shutter Speed: 1/350
  • ISO: 400
  • Focal Length: 35mm

Street Shot Sundays
Photo of the Week: “A Long Day”

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Street Shot Sundays Story & Stats

Story:

This Sunday’s Street Shot of the Week was taken in Istanbul, Turkey by Taksim Square. It was the end of a very hot day in Istanbul and I was walking home by Taksim Square. While walking across the street, out of the corner of my eye I noticed this group of people sitting on the outside steps of an orange-colored bank. What caught my eye was that all five them of them had their hand on their face in a similar look of exhaustion from the long, hot day. So I very quickly walked over and made the shot as fast as possible before any of them changed their gesture. Luckily, I captured it just in time before they did.

Stats:

  • Aperture: f/11
  • Shutter Speed: 1/350
  • ISO: 400
  • Focal Length: 35mm

33 Street Photography Photos That Will Make You Visit Tbilisi, Georgia

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I had an amazing experience visiting Tbilisi, Georgia a few weeks ago. It’s not a place on everyone’s radar to visit yet, but it’s starting to become one. And for good reason too. The city is unique, the scenery is interesting,  the people are friendly, the food is great and there’s so much more to see and do if you want to venture outside of Tbilisi too. You could easily spend months visiting the beautiful mountain villages all over Georgia, but for Street Photography, Tbilisi is worth a visit on its own.

Tbilisi has cobblestone streets and old churches throughout old town, but you can also capture the more modern side of the growing Tbilisi too around Freedom Square and Rike Park. Then there’s the street markets all over the city that give endless action for photography, especially around Station Square. It’s a city you can just get lost in walking its streets. Georgia is also the reigning birthplace of wine so with that history, you know it’s got to be good.

If you want to capture a city like you haven’t seen before, then Tbilisi would be a great choice. Here are 33 street photos that I took during my visit to Tbilisi, Georgia.

33 Street Photography Photos from Tbilisi, Georgia

Walking the Streets of Tbilisi…

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Street Shot Sundays
Photo of the Week: “Mickey”

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Street Shot Sundays Story & Stats

Story:

This Sunday’s Street Shot of the Week was taken in Tbilisi, Georgia by the Freedom Square metro station during my recent visit there. It was the end of the day and the sun was starting to go down so I was about to take the metro back to my apartment after a day of shooting the streets. Since there can be some good photo opportunities by the station, I decided to walk around to see if I could find anything before I called it a day. While walking by the bus stop, I spotted this scene that had to be captured. The two women were deep in conversation while the little boy was completely hidden by his Mickey Mouse balloon, giving the illusion that he was part Mickey. So I quickly got up close and took the shot before he moved the balloon or they noticed.

Stats:

  • Aperture: f/2.8
  • Shutter Speed: 1/350
  • ISO: 200
  • Focal Length: 35mm

33 Street Photography Photos That Will Make You Want To Visit Istanbul

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I’ve been staying in Istanbul, Turkey for the last couple months now and living here has been an experience like no other city I’ve been to before. Istanbul is a mix of so many characteristics, it’s hard to put it all into words. It’s just a place you need to experience for yourself. 

When it comes to capturing life, there’s not many cities with as much of it as Istanbul. I always have my camera on me here and spend most of my days walking the many districts seeing what I can capture. Istanbul would definitely make my top cities in the world list so here are some Street Photos I’ve taken so far that will hopefully give you a look into why it’s a place you need to visit too.

33 Street Photography Photos from Istanbul, Turkey

Starting in Taksim Square…

[Read more…]

Street Shot Sundays
Photo of the Week: “Light & Shadow Under Galata”

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Street Shot Sundays Story & Stats

Story:

This Sunday’s Street Shot of the Week was taken in Eminönü by the Galata Bridge in Istanbul. In the evening, just outside of the tunnel walkway that goes under the Galata Bridge, you can get this great lighting that highlights the people against the shadow of the tunnel. The sunlight hits the opening of the tunnel perfectly and creates this natural effect. I love what natural light can do and it’s a great spot to play around with it to see what you can capture. I just make sure I expose for the highlights and wait for opportunities where it’s not too crowded so I can create some separation with the shadow. Here’s a recent shot from this spot that also shows what this type of light does to bring out color.

Stats:

  • Aperture: f/11
  • Shutter Speed: 1/500
  • ISO: 400
  • Focal Length: 35mm

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-f.d. walker

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