The Edinburgh Fringe Festival on the Nikon D810 by Mark Seymour

October 15, 2014 DSLR, Guest Post, Human Condition, Nikon, Reportage, Street Photography, User Reports 43

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival on the Nikon D810

By Mark Seymour

There’s an affinity between the storytelling style of documentary photography and the founding principle at the heart of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe; which is to be an open-access arts event that accommodates anyone with a story to tell. The freedom with which I shoot my street photography reflects the freedom the EFFS allows the performers to shape the program through their own creative visions of performance. The Edinburgh festival is the largest arts festival in the world, held annually for three weeks in the Scottish capital bringing global performers and visitors together for an experience you need to try at least once in your lifetime!

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I was honoured to be invited by Calum Thomson, director of Loxley, to take a glimpse of the festival and record it through my street photography with a view to holding an exclusive street photography training course next year. After an early start, flying from Heathrow by Virgin Airlines, I dropped my stuff at the Jury’s Inn located just off the famous Royal Mile in the Old Town, and began my Fringe Experience.
On the second day I was joined by Alistair Jolly from Smugmug where we enjoyed photographing the festival together both in our individual styles.

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I shot all my images using S RAW on the new Nikon D810, then converted them using Alien Skin Software. For me street photography has to be black and white and focuses on the how people are engaging with different situations and experiences, and living their lives. So although there were an abundance of weird and wonderful performers to photograph, what really captured my attention was the interaction between the performers and their audiences. The historic buildings of Edinburgh provide a wonderful backdrop to the myriad of cultures and bizarre that make up the artistic interpretations you find yourself confronted.

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http://www.markseymourphotography.co.uk/street-photography-edinburgh-fringe/

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43 Comments

  3. This is a very strong collection of photos. Very well done!

    Yes, they are over-processed. But they are good photos nevertheless. 🙂

    RE the photo of the trio in gas masks, I think there is a little dynamism that is missing that could have been fixed by going in closer. This shot may as well have been taken with a 50mm. How do you feel about the shot now, compared to the moment you took it?

    • That criticism is a little far fetched Karim. This was a 24; getting the outstretched hands (essential to the image) in meant this was the distance. Or do you think another half metre would have helped (a lot)?

      • The criticism isn’t far fetched – it’s just honest. 😉 There is a dynamism missing. My solution, however, may very well be far fetched. It could have been practically impossible to get this shot right.

        • Its a very crowded place. 50 mm would have been impossible as there would have been people in-between . All the images are taken on a 24mm lens.
          Ref over processing . This is my style. I appreciate your opinion and every one will have a different one and that is what makes us all unique individuals.
          Mark

  7. I don’t often comment on images on this site because, quite frankly, many are not that good. But I really like these. I had no idea what the EFFS was, but your images convey the essence very well. The screaming guy is the strongest for me. The guy is kind of scary, but is nicely juxtaposed by the young lady. I like the way you framed him between the two buildings. I like the gritty B&W treatment of all the images. Nice job.

  10. Just GREAT! One or two photos a bit oversharpened to my tast, maybe due to sharpen again when uploading to the web?

  11. Really nice work here thank you for sharing it with us I like every shot ! Could you please tell us what lenses or lens you used thank you in advance

  16. Lovely photographs! I haven’t been back the the Festival in years and this is a wonderful representation of it. Good Job!

  25. Greetings

    Brilliant subject portrayed with your own approach.

    For me the Monochrome really draws you into the photo. Wonderful, thanks for sharing.

    Regards

    Gav.J

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