Street Photography in Budapest: Capturing the Soul of the City

With its rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning architecture, Budapest is a paradise for street photographers. The city's unique blend of old-world charm and modern dynamism offers countless opportunities to capture compelling images that tell a story. As a photographer passionate about black and white (BW) photography, I find Budapest particularly captivating. The interplay of light and shadow, the textures of the historic buildings, and the candid moments of everyday life make it an ideal setting for monochrome shots.

Why Budapest is Perfect for Street Photography

Architectural Diversity: Budapest is a city where Baroque, Neoclassical, and Art Nouveau styles coexist harmoniously. From the grandeur of the Parliament Building to the intricate details of the Great Market Hall, every corner of the city offers a new perspective and a new story to tell.

Vibrant Street Life: The streets of Budapest are always bustling with activity. Whether it's the lively conversations at the cafes, the street performers at Váci Utca, or the serene moments along the Danube, there’s always something happening worth capturing.

Contrasts and Textures: Black and white photography thrives on contrasts, and Budapest delivers them in spades. The juxtaposition of the old and the new, the rich textures of the city's stonework, and the ever-changing play of light and shadow create visually striking images.

Tips for Capturing Stunning BW Street Photos in Budapest

1. Focus on Light and Shadow: Early mornings and late afternoons are the best times to shoot, as the light is soft and shadows are long. Explore places like Fisherman's Bastion or the Buda Castle District during these times for dramatic effects.

2. Embrace the Rain: Don't shy away from bad weather. Rainy days in Budapest can result in moody and atmospheric shots, with reflections and glistening streets adding depth to your photos.

3. Look for Human Stories: Street photography is as much about people as it is about places. Capture the candid moments of Budapest's residents – an old couple walking hand-in-hand along the Danube, a street musician lost in his music, or children playing in a park.

4. Experiment with Angles: Don't be afraid to get creative with your angles. Shoot from high vantage points like the Citadel or go low to the ground to capture unique perspectives of everyday scenes.

Join My Street Photography Workshops in Budapest

If you're eager to refine your street photography skills and explore Budapest through the lens of black-and-white photography, consider joining one of my workshops.

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced photographer, my workshops offer a hands-on experience tailored to your skill level.

What You Can Expect:

• Guided Photowalks: Explore the city's hidden gems and popular spots with a small group of like-minded enthusiasts.

• Technical Guidance: Learn the intricacies of BW photography, from choosing the right settings to mastering post-processing techniques.

• Personalized Feedback: Get one-on-one critiques of your work to help you improve and develop your unique style.

• Inspiring Locations: Visit some of the best locations in Budapest for street photography, including the historic Jewish Quarter, the bustling Central Market, and the picturesque streets of the Castle District.

Join me on this photographic journey, and let's capture the soul of Budapest together.

For more information and to book your spot, visit msecchi.com.

Portrait Photography in Ljubljana: Capturing Local Faces and Stories

Ljubljana, Slovenia’s charming capital, offers a unique blend of history, culture, and vibrant street life, making it a perfect canvas for portrait photography. As I stroll through the cobblestone streets, my camera in hand, I am constantly drawn to the diverse faces and stories this city offers. Let me take you through some of my experiences and insights on capturing the essence of Ljubljana through portrait photography.

Engaging with Locals

One of the most rewarding aspects of portrait photography in Ljubljana is the opportunity to engage with locals. Slovenians are known for their friendliness and openness, which makes approaching them for a photograph relatively easy. Whether it’s a street vendor at the Central Market or a chef at the Open Kitchen, striking up a conversation is the first step.

I always start with a warm greeting and a smile when engaging with locals. Asking about their day or showing genuine interest in their work helps build rapport. Being respectful and explaining why you’d like to take their portrait is essential. Most people are flattered by the interest and are happy to pose for a few shots.

Finding Interesting Subjects

Ljubljana’s Central Market and the Open Kitchen are gold mines for finding interesting subjects. The market, with its bustling stalls and lively atmosphere, offers a plethora of opportunities. The vendors, with their expressive faces and colorful displays, make for compelling portraits. The Open Kitchen, on the other hand, is a foodie’s paradise where chefs from all over Slovenia gather to showcase their culinary talents. The passion and creativity of these chefs are evident in their expressions and interactions, providing a rich source of portrait material.

One of my favourite shots from the Central Market is an elderly flower vendor in Ljubljana, captured in a candid moment as she interacts with a customer. Her warm smile and the simple exchange of flowers reflect the charm and simplicity of everyday life in the city.

Using the City’s Backdrop

Ljubljana’s architecture and natural beauty provide a stunning backdrop for portraits. The Ljubljanica River, with its picturesque bridges and riverside cafes, adds a touch of romance and tranquillity to the photos. The medieval Ljubljana Castle, perched on a hill, offers a dramatic and historical setting, perfect for creating a sense of timelessness in your portraits.

For street photography, I often use the old town's colourful facades as a backdrop. The pastel-coloured buildings add a soft, vintage feel to the images. When photographing in the Open Kitchen, the vibrant food stalls and the dynamic interactions between chefs and customers create a lively and energetic background.

Telling Stories Through Portraits

Every portrait tells a story, and in Ljubljana, countless stories are waiting to be told. From the market vendor selling produce for decades to the young artist showcasing their work by the river, each person’s face reflects their unique journey.

One memorable portrait I captured was of a playful vendor at Ljubljana’s Central Market, hiding behind a bouquet of flowers. His enigmatic presence and the lively market atmosphere make this a memorable and whimsical portrait.

Tips for Successful Portrait Photography in Ljubljana

1. Be Respectful and Friendly: Always approach your subjects with respect and a genuine interest in their story.

2. Use Natural Light: Ljubljana’s soft, natural light is perfect for outdoor portraits. Early morning or late afternoon light adds a warm glow to your photos.

3. Experiment with Angles: Don’t be afraid to try different angles and compositions. Sometimes the most unexpected shots turn out to be the best.

4. Capture Candid Moments: While posed portraits are beautiful, candid shots often reveal the true essence of your subject.

5. Incorporate the Environment: Use Ljubljana’s stunning architecture and vibrant street life to add context and depth to your portraits.

Conclusion

Portrait photography in Ljubljana is a journey of discovery. The city’s rich tapestry of faces and stories provides endless inspiration. By engaging with locals, finding interesting subjects, and using the city’s backdrop creatively, you can capture the true spirit of Ljubljana in your portraits. So, grab your camera and take a stroll through this enchanting city – you never know what stories you might uncover.

Fujifilm X70

UPDATE MAY 2016 After two months I decided to sell the camera, it is too flimsy and too slow and in my humble view there are much better point and shoot for that amount of money. I got a Leica Q much more expensive but a real super camera!

The new Fujifilm X70 camera has a spectacular design and a magnificent look as well with the retro aesthetics just like the some of the other Fujifilm X series cameras which make it unique and special.

The camera is easily portable and fits in a jacket/coat pocket and weighs only 340g with in-fitted memory card and NP-95 battery which makes it a perfect for an adventurous trip and street photographers since it's highly inconspicuous. The lens is 28mm f2.8 and a 16MP APS-C sensor that provides an exquisite and high-quality image. The diaphragm has nine rounded blades and a close-focusing limit of only 10cm.

I was not in need of a new camera and just wanted to try one for a review.

It is super small but I really mean small but at the same time it is very nice to hold it with a rubberized front and rear grips which are well-sculpted, and the camera feels comfortable in one hand.   At the beginning was not easy for me to use the LCD and was always looking for the viewfinder but I got used quite quickly and was fun the possibility to shot or focus touching directly on the LCD screen.

It has the same functionality of my XT-1 and XE-2 (with the new firmware ver. 4 ) and I tend to use my Fuji in AF-S and focusing is very fast and precise. It seemed to me very good for street photography and I did not miss any frame even with people and boats moving.

Fujifilm X70 has an admirable feature which is the 1.04 million tilting dot LCD touch panel that is 3.0 inch and which is also capable of rotating at 180-degree angle.

The touch panel has the following functionality which includes in preview mode:

• Image enlargement capability: this is achieved by double-tapping on the touch screen which also centers on the active focus. 
• Image moving capability: just like the phone, one can move the image by dragging it with the finger on the touch screen.
• Image zooming capability: one can enlarge the image by widening it by the use of the two fingers just like in a touchscreen phone. 
• Image scrolling: one can scroll the image upwards or downwards by swiping either way by the use of a finger. 

In shooting mode you will have access to:

• Focus Area Selection: Move the focus area before taking the image: one can achieve this by tapping on the touch screen.
• Touch Shot: Touch to focus and shoot on a specific point.

There is a small icon in the mid right side of the screen where you can switch between the two modes as well as turn the touch function off.

Adjustments in exposure compensation can easily been achieved by the dial.

Additionally, the lens control ring can also be used to adjust continuous shooting, film simulation, ISO speed, and white balance.

On the left hand side of the camera there is another function button. It sits quite well hidden. Very useful. I have decided to assign it to external ring control.

There is also a dedicated switch with an automatic mode, that I think may come handy to less photography savvy users. The camera also has a built-in Wi-Fi connectivity and an in-camera time-lapse.

The new 18.5mm f/2.8 lens in the X70 is a super performer. The quality of this pancake design lens is outstanding.
It’s an entirely new design by Fujifilm. It consists of 7 elements in 5 groups with 2 aspherical elements. It’s constructed in a  compact way,  and because there is no collapsing necessary when turning on/off the camera, this results in a much faster startup time when you switch your camera on.

The lens autofocus quickly thanks to the X70 hybrid autofocus system with both contrast detection and phase detect AF  which offers a 49-point Single Point AF mode and a Wide/Tracking mode that offers a 77-point autofocus area. Autofocus is fast, with reported autofocus acquisition said to be of as little as 0.06 seconds.

The X70 can start up in 0.5 seconds in High Performance mode, it is amazing and has a shutter lag time of just 0.05 seconds, can continuously shoot at up to 8 frames-per-second for around 12 frames and can use a completely silent electronic shutter with exposures at 1/32,000s.

Another feature that is is packed in the X70 is the digital crop feature or “digital tele converter” as Fujifilm calls it. When shooting jpeg mode you can chose to use either a 28mm, 35mm or 50mm crop mode.  The camera does some magic so you actually get a full 16mp file, obviously you can see some compression.

The  camera has additional accessories that include the LH-X70 Lens Hood, WCL-X70 wide conversion lens, VF-X21 optional viewfinder and BLC-X70 half leather case. The camera is available in two colors, silver or black. 

The X70 is in my view meant for people who needs a compact camera, and for street photographers who needs something  inconspicuous for getting candid moments of streetlife.

This post has not been sponsored and I did not get media samples or freebies. For more information, check out my full disclaimer policy.

Ona Bag Prince Street

I believe you can never have an excess of camera bags  and I trust that everybody needs to have an OnaBags. The quality is unparalleled and the look is at the same time advanced and fantastic. While pricey, these sacks will endure forever. 

The trendy and cool outline of the new ONA Prince Street camera bag bounce out at you promptly. Upon closer examination you understand it is not just another pretty bag, it is as well an exceptionally tough, down to earth messenger bag for a reduced DSLR or full mirrorless camera pack. It comes in two styles - waxed canvas with full-grained cowhide trim, or full calfskin. In both styles the fine materials and workmanship of the bag is truly evident. 

The general configuration is genuinely essential with three dividers (more accessible as extras), two substantial extending front pockets and a back laptop or tablet space. Two front calfskin straps shroud the real metal catches that are effortlessly secured or un-affixed with one hand. The straps are movable to take into account extension. 

At $269 for the waxed-canvas model and $389  and in my view the the cost is completely justified by the workmanship and materials notwithstanding the in cool great looks that is going to improve as the bag age.

On the off chance that you are searching for a strong, fundamental travel bag with a great deal of style yet very few superfluous fancy odds and ends, the ONA Prince Street is something to consider for either a little DSLR unit or mirrorless camera framework. 

I use mine easily with the two leicas and 2 extra lenses and works great!

Weight: 2.6 pounds 

Outside measurements: 12.5"L X 10"H X 4.5"D 

Inside measurements: 12"L X 9"H X 4"D

15 things +1 (I try) to avoid in Street Photography

 ..I have specified I TRY  to avoid .... ....

1. Using more than one lens per day for street photography.  I prefer a 35mm or occasionally a 50mm
2. Checking the LCD screen after taking photos on the streets (Chimping)
3. Letting criticism affect me negatively. Rather, I try to use it to empower me to find weaknesses in my work.
4. Leaving the house without a camera
5. Spending a lot of time looking at photos online ; rather I spend more time shooting
6. Forgetting how lucky I am to be able to go out and take photos everyday
7. Mixing my digital and film photos in a project
8. Letting the number “likes” dictate whether a photo is good or not
9. Taking a photo of someone on the streets without saying “thank you” or smiling at them
10. Hesitating before taking a street photograph
11. Shooting to please my critics
12. Recommending lenses longer than 50mm for street photography
13. Making excuses when a photo doesn’t work. It is shit end of the story
14. Taking photos without emotion and without your heart
15. Uploading photos online until letting it “marinate” for few weeks

+1.  Comparing myself to other photographers

Fuji X100s for street photography

I am often asked what settings I use for street photography. First, let’s make sure you have everything you will need, extra batteries and extra memory cards. A fast memory card is essential when shooting raw. ...do not forget your camera!

Here are my settings for street shooting: Auto ISO: 200-3200 Min. Shutter speed limit: 1/125 Focus AF-C mode Drive Mode S or C: most of the time I am in s mode, c-mode if the situation really calls for it. While in AF-C mode , always awake/never sleep doesn’t work, keep half pressing the shutter from time to time, especially when you spot a potential shot, make sure the camera is not asleep Shutter priority at 1/250 or higher in regular light Optical Hybrid finder vs EVF: depending on the scene, if it is a context or overview shot, OHVF works, however, I found the EVF preferable for precise positioning of the af point since there is no time to reframe/refocus. Develop a solid grip on your camera, experiment, strap around the neck or wrist strap. Learn to change +- dial with out looking at your camera, the same goes for shutter speed, keep your eyes on the street.

Use your x100s a lot, that’s it!