Leeds street photography

Capturing City Life Amid Rising Parking Prices

It’s no secret that parking prices in Leeds and Manchester are climbing, compelling us to extract every ounce of value from our daytime excursions into these vibrant city centres. One of my favourite ways to do this is by capturing fleeting moments on film, preserving today’s everyday scenes as tomorrow’s valuable memories.”

The Decision: Traveling Light with a Prime Lens

Recently, after lending a hand at the wonderful CoHearantVision center, a charity for the visually and hearing impaired, I found myself with an hour to spare. Faced with the choice of hauling a full kit or traveling light, I opted for the latter. A 50mm F1.4 prime lens was my weapon of choice—small enough not to attract attention and perfect for the low light of these dark February days.

The Magic of Depth of Field

The ‘fast’ lens is not just beneficial for its low-light capabilities. It allows for stunning ‘depth of field’ effects, where your focal point is crisply defined against a beautifully blurred background, directing the viewer’s gaze precisely where you want it. This technique, though tricky as it demands quick and accurate focusing, rewards you with striking visuals where elements like ‘pagan body piercing’ signs jump right out at you.

The Art of Street Photography

With a narrow depth of field, there’s little room for error—you need to be on your toes, ready to capture life as it happens without a moment’s notice. Street photography is a numbers game; the more you shoot, the better your chances of nailing that perfect, telling moment.

Converting to Black and White

Back at the studio, these photographs often demand the timeless quality of black and white. Adding a vignette further enhances the mood, lending a touch of drama to the stark, gritty reality of a typical February day in Leeds.