Sunday Downtown and a Show at the Royale
(Click any image to enlarge)
Yesterday I spent the particularly hot June morning in downtown St. Louis, just seeing what there was to see. I took my usual spot on Locust between 7th and 16th and traipsed all over—the length of Washington, all around the plaza, down any street with appealing light. Shoot street photography is borderline impossible when there is only one person on a street. Yes, you can shoot them, but the odds that they’re doing anything interesting or can serve a photo in a compelling way are about nil, and as they’re isolated their attention is going to be on you.
But then, while I spend 98% of these photowalks thinking ‘it is really hot and this is stupid,’ without fail there’s usually at least one interesting thing that happens. In this case, I was walking north onto 8th from Market when these two young guys called out asking if I wanted to film something.
And in fact, I did. I had intentionally crossed over to see if I might be able to shoot them because one was skateboarding. I was ready to scrap this plan though as on approach I noticed that his friend was filming him and I didn’t want to come in over that. But it was actually the friend that called out and invited me over.
85mm, f/16
This is the first photo I’m posting out of my newest lens: an RF mount, 85mm f1/2 USM, L-series glass. I purchased it the previous morning but other than a few test shots around the house, yesterday’s photowalk was the first time putting it through the paces. And between some action shots, a protest march, and an evening concert I was pleased with the results!
The above doesn’t look like what you’d expect from an 85mm, because this lens is most commonly used for portraiture. I waited more than a year before committing to this piece of kit. It’s expensive glass for one thing, but I wanted to prove to myself that this focal length was important for getting the kinds of shots I like. And over the last year I noticed that especially while shooting more dynamic events where I was in the mix, I would find myself making sure I switched to 85mm in order to get closeups. Some of my favorite sorts of shots are where I have a clear subject but in the mix with a bunch of other people.
50mm, f/16
I don’t recall what street this is on but I’ve long been drawn to this wall for its texture. I’ve tried to photograph it a few times and I still haven’t quite found a way of conveying what it is that appeals to me.
50mm, f/16
I’m not sure what this fellow was doing, but I did see him raise his arm once in a salute to a skateboarder that had waved to him. He was standing alone like this at the bottom of the steps down to the Mississippi.
85mm, f/16
85mm, f/14
After a few hours downtown I drove over to Forest Park, felt uninspired probably by the harsh light and heat, then I skipped over to Euclid for a few where I got a text that there was a protest downtown. I wasn’t expecting an action that day, but I was excited to get to march and photograph them.
85mm, f/7.1
When I made it back that way I found this little guy was splayed out on the outskirts of Keiner Plaza just trying to keep cool.
50mm, f/16
50mm, f/16
This was another well-run protest with wholly supportive reactions from the Cardinals fans walking around and the cars that had to stop for us. St. Louis is a very blue dot in a very red sea. And I’m still not used to this level of coordination with police, but it’s preferable to kettling and intimidation.
28mm, f/8
50mm, f/2.5
50mm, f/2.5
23mm, f/4
50mm, f/2.5
The day ended with a show at the Royale. Three artists and a DJ, and the ever-present heat, but with a bit of a breeze, the trellised grape canopy, and drinks, it made for a great June evening.
50mm, f/2.5
85mm, f/2.5
85mm, f/1.8
