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Week 2 of the series of night street photography walks with the Meetup group WE SHOOT PEOPLE !

This week the event took us to Southbank, London. Meeting at Waterloo station (under the clock!), we set off to Southbank to do some shooting. Very challenging lighting and cold made this a tough gig, but we battled on for the scheduled walk until we couldn't feel our fingers and ended up in the nearest cafe Nero for some hot chocs and our social. See some of the Meetup group's uploaded images here from this walk.

Next week, walk #3 takes us to the City! Should be a good one.

A few of my shots...

Back by popular demand!! I have started up the first in a series of once a week, night photo walks around London with my Street Photography group We SHOOT PEOPLE.

This weeks location was centred around Mayfair and Soho areas. Loads of back streets, lights, and with some rain some moody night shots were taken by the 10 group members who attended tonight.

Two of my favourites...





Next week's night walk will be in Southbank.

We Shoot People Group at the London Photo Festival

In collaboration with the London Photo Festival, I hosted a We Shoot People - Street Photography Group walk in and around London Bridge / Borough Market. Followed by a social networking night at the Click N' Clique evening at LPF later that evening. We extended the evening for more socialising at the Blue Eyed Maid pub in London Bridge. Thanks to the landlord for his hospitality!

All in all, a very successful and busy night for both new and regular members of the group to interact, discuss and exchange ideas on all things street photography.







We Shoot People event page

Photos © FarlonRahaman

The John Free London Street Photography workshops took place on bank holiday weekend 24-26 August 2012. Thanks to Dave Bull (whom I met through my Street Photography Meetup group) We Shoot People, I was asked if I could help organise these events with him. It was a no brainer!

I attended two of the three London workshops and the Brighton one by kind invitation of John and Wendy Free. What can I say, three fun filled, challenging, knowledge packed, but memorable days that I probably won't forget.

John is a great teacher and mentor. His passion and eagerness to share his years of knowledge is overwhelming. John's inspiring methods of teaching, wit and insightful techniques are invaluable. I have learnt so much to becoming a better street photographer. But I especially learnt that whether you are a beginner or an experienced photographer, as long as you have the willingness to work hard, learn, and have an open heart and mind you can achieve great things, no matter what camera you own.


Southbank (It was a soggy London workshop but rain is always great for street shots!)



Brighton



Kensington Gardens



Borough Market



Brighton - Final pep talk from John



John Free and myself

Some comments from students who attending the London Workshops:

"Learned so much, so many bad habits that need correcting ;) I had a great day, John is so clear in his instructions. Looking forward to seeing some of people's results in a photo album" Susan J

"This was a great day, I gained greater insight into how to see the shot and how to approach the situation. John's a great tutor, and his passion and motivation are infectious. I'm so glad I managed to attend the day, shame it wasn't the full weekend." Steve C

"Really enjoyed this day out with John Free. I learned many things and am planning to shoot a lot more black and white in the future." Karen C



Thanks to: John Free, Wendy Free, David Bull, We Shoot People members and all the new friends I have met along the way.

I had the pleasure to get involved with John Free's London talk and workshops last weekend. As organiser of a London Meetup group called We Shoot People which was created for anybody with a love for street photography, it was an honour to be asked to help with this project. Thanks again to Dave Bull!




From the minute you check out one of John's YouTube videos you instantly feel his passion for street photography. This passion is even more powerful in real life - when he speaks you listen. John has years and years of experience and knowledge in this genre of photography so he knows what he is talking about. His dedication to his art is clear to see and he has many wonderful stories and anecdotes to tell which only adds to the experience of spending time in his company.

John Free is on a clear mission to teach the ways of street photography and get as many as people as possible inspired and passionate about it too. Often quoting some of his favourite photographers; Cartier-Bresson, W. Eugene Smith in his flow, you almost feel as if their spirits are watching and guiding him when he speaks.



These are just some of the comments from the students who attended John's talk:

"This was a fabulous and genuine lecture. I feel totally enthused about street photography and cannot wait for the workshop tomorrow! Thanks very much for coming John and thanks to Linda for organising it. I feel sorry for people who missed it! :-)" Sharon


"I thought John was wonderful. Entertaining and inspirational. I'm so glad I came along." J.S


"John's talk was from the heart and you could hear the passion in his voice. He loves what he does and wants 'YOU' to feel the same about your work and he brought that message across. His mantra was that you have to keep practicing, because you may think that you know it but you don't, you just become complacent! This man has been doing this for over 40 years and he is still honing his skills. Hopefully, most people will have left that room with a couple of words of wisdom.." S.R


"An amazing evening listening to someone speak from his heart and inspire you from the very start. John's take on photography was an eye opener." Chet


"Great talk. I was happy to see that almost everyone "got it".....it wasn't another "heres how i do it" lecture from an average photog with a "i heart Leica" t-shirt!!" Dave


"John is an extremely motivational speaker and a master craftsman. Main things I took home were to shoot from the heart, never take posed shots and try to develop the 20 degree offset strategy. My quote for the night was: "People will have photographs for generations because of you". An outstanding evening which made you think where you are at right now with your own photography. Highly recommended." John K

Click here to read about the John Free workshops 2012