Reverse Tourism - Photobusking (C+C)

GavinZac

I've recently moved to Thailand - people keep insisting it's a fantastic opportunity for photos, and rightly so. However, I think about all these Thai people out and about that I'm photographing, and wonder if, maybe just maybe, they'd be interested in seeing a sample of people in Cork, Ireland.

So I set about making myself a rather homeless-esque sign explaining the project, my intentions, and wishing the reader a good day for reading. Then I realised no-one will read that so I supplemented it with a large sign saying FREE PHOTO. These are the people who volunteered their time and faces for my project. The only instruction I gave was them was in asking them to simply be themselves - I could have hid in a street corner with a telephoto to get candid shots but that's not what I wanted. I wanted personality, but also I wanted 'tourist' photos.

I know there are a lot, but I'm hoping you guys can take the time to click a few interesting ones and give me some feedback. For the most part, these are bare camera shots, using a f1.7 50mm prime on a Sony a200. I used a reflector in one, and switched to a wider zoom lens for a group shot. I kept things simple for the most part, due to a need for speed and so as not to condition people to acting a certain way.

I've tried to keep editing to a minimum and mostly used screening to lighten or darken areas for highlight. There is no "creative/destructive" editing.

In particular: I think I tried too much at times in forcing shallow depth of field, sacrificing sharpness even on the subject themselves. Is it very obvious, as camera enthusiasts? Secondarily, the white balance isn't consistent from shot to shot but in development I went for what looked good at the time rather than a particular look in general. Does this affect it, as a set? Any other comments very welcome. It was certainly a strange and educating experience!

GavinZac