A morning at the flea market

Great stuff, reyn.

Looking forward to the next installment.

The next group of 5:

Flea Market 6

A family outing.

Flea Market 7

An indoor seller. This shot gives you a bit of an idea what the inside looks like.

Flea Market 8

This is one of my favourite photos of the bunch. This lady seller looks very pensive, doesn't she? She has been at this flea market as long as I've been going here, which is 1993.


Flea Market 9

Here is another real character. That's his wife to the left. She sells various fudges and he herbal remedies.

Flea Market 10

Interesting character study. I wonder what his story is?

The last group of 5:

Flea Market 11

This is one photo that I wish had been in colour. His arms were covered in tattoos. It would have been better. Although, I liked the shot of an aging motorcycle tough guy selling at the flea market.

Flea Market 12

Been there, done that. I know that look well. For a while, I was a seller at this market, and it's the look of "I've hardly sold a damn thing so far!" I sympathize.



Flea Market 13

This lady has the "fashion model" look in this "low brow market".

Flea Market 14

I watched this woman for a short while. She had personality plus. I'm betting she's successful at this gig.

Flea Market 15

You've seen the ads for the "Maytag Repairman"? Well, it's the lonely psychic readers here. I guess they weren't able to foretell that sales would be dismal today.

That's it. Comments?

regarding #14, i'm guessing the plus is cleavage

as for the psychics, you're right, you'd think they'd know it wasn't gonna be worth it and stay in bed

More good stuff, reyn.

I particularly like that herbal remedy fella - has a sorta Diefenbaker gone rough vibe.

Very nice character portraits.

Nice pictures but it doesn't look like anyone has fleas.

Thanks guys! Nice to get feedback. What's everybody's opinion on #8? Is it a winner?

By the way, all these photos were taken with my camera in plain view, strapped around my neck, hung and shot from mid-chest. Didn't appear to have anybody figure I was taking their portrait, and if they did, said nothing.

This last week, I've been practising with people photography.

I've got some problems with the bright pot immediately in front of her, and the lack of contrast between her hair and the background. Her face can't compete with that bright pot. Takes away a bit from the overall effect - for me.

I LOVE number 8. I think it is far and away the best of the bunch. The pot wouldn't have bothered me at all if eBeth hadn't pointed it out.

Even with the pot I think it is a lovely, lovely photograph.

I agree - #8 is a great shot..... I miss flea markets!

I agree that it's not "technically perfect", but candid /street photography is like that. It's more "the decisive moment" kind of thing, as opposed to landscape photography.

But, the comment is a fair one. Perhaps I could have done more in the editing stage. Not to make any excuses, but it is the first time that I've taken photos indoors without using flash. I had to fool around with some of the settings. I actually was surprised how well it did turn out.

With me, it's the subject matter that counts the most. I think (for me anyways) people photography is one of the hardest things to do, just over-coming one's shyness.

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Thanks boom and Kris for your comments.

I enjoyed the whole series of photos.

Candid street shots are difficult - especially since you want to get away from the whole effect of shots taken when people are looking away from you. #8 was one that did that best.

If you were thinking of entering it in a contest, I'd recommend tweaking it a bit in the editing process.

There's a fairly big photo exhibition/fair/program on in Toronto right now.

http://www.contactphoto.com/

Two series of photos are on display in the subway station I go through twice each day.

http://www.contactphoto.com/installations.php

Lost and Pedestrian.

http://www.contactphoto.com/view.php?sec=exhibitions&eventid=585

http://www.contactphoto.com/view.php?sec=exhibitions&eventid=612

What's notable, in part, is that the people are involved in what they're doing - vs not looking at the photographer. It's interesting to really 'see' it in those photos.

That flea market looks like some I've gone to in Texas. The best ones have been shut down now.

Thanks again, Beth, for your feedback.

I'm not sure about entering stuff in contests - at least at this point. I'm very much a novice who's just finding his way.

Also, thanks for the links. I particularily liked the photo "Shelter", by John Oswald. Right up my alley.

Why's that, Edgar? I always got the impression that they were very popular. Perhaps some got too pricey to rent a table in.

It's a tough way to make a buck. I did it on sundays for several months. Didn't make much money.

I'm guessing the overhead was too much.

reyn , great pix , thanks for sharing !
those chainsaws sure look serious ; are they leftovers from that movie ('chainsaw massacre' or whatever it was called ) ? .
hbg

Thanks for stopping by and having a look!

good afternoon , reyn !
i'm in the process of getting my pictures from our 'south-america to europe cruise' organized . it was my first use of a digital camera and i'll need lots more practice for future 'shooting expeditions' . so i'm looking through the forums/threads to get some ideas on how to organize things .
those are some great pix you posted !
hbg