My attempt at street photography!

[tvj08]

After reading an article on street photography, I went to take some photos of local farmer's market over the weekend. I wanted to capture the diversity of people, the enthusiastic, happy environment and hustle-bustle at the farmer's market.
I was scared at first, but somehow mustered the courage to go in and start taking shots. To my surprise, very few people took any notice of me, let alone objecting. Only very few people did a double-take, mostly out of curiosity. Overall it was a good experience, I want to do it again.
Photos are not quite good though. I think I should have tried to isolate my subjects better. I think I was very nervous and just taking shots of whatever grabbed my attention. Please let me know what do you think of my effort. Any critic, suggestions on how I can take better pictures in this kind of setting, are very welcome!











P.S. I used Canon T1i with Canon 18-55 mm 3.5-4/f lens.

[imaginik]

I can't see any pictures...

[tvj08]

Sorry. This is my first post. I used the image button ([IMG] tag). How do I fix this problem? Can someone please help?

[tvj08]

fixed images now!

[korman]

Those are a nice start. Although some of them would have been better, if you'd have taken a step to the side or a step closer to make them more interesting and get rid of background clutter.

For Example in picture number #6 (the two musicians), all the tents to the left and right don't really add to the picture, so the picture would be better without it. If you'd wanted to also include the man with the child, then two steps to the right would have reduced the distance to the musicians.

#7, the grapes looks a little confused. If you wanted to show us the grapes and the onion sign, get closer. Closer to get rid of the butts in shorts, closer to get rid dog-house to the left.

#8 is nice, but the girl's looks would improve tremendously if there wasn't that pole hiding her assets.

To sum it up, you will get more out your motifs if you spend a little more time thinking about what you want to show the viewer with the picture, what story you want to tell.

Korman

[BambersImages]

Well done on taking your first set, always the hardest.

I agree with Korman that you need to compose the images more carefully.
It will come with time though, as you take more pictures you will get better.
Also, don't take them all in landscape mode, turn your camera around and do some in portrait too..#3 would have been better as portrait.

[mengguo]

i like the fruits！

[tvj08]

Korman, Bamber, Thanks for useful advice! I see your point now. I was only paying attention to my subjects. As long as the subject is in the frame where I wanted, I snapped away. I didn't pay attention to what else is in the frame (butts, boy with his dad, poles, tents). Only now, I see those distractions. I will try to remember this next time. Also I will try to remember to take vertical shots.
Thanks for kind words, mengguo!