Market Day, Cognac, 1979

[Toby Webster]

After I left school, and following an Art Foundation Course, I spent a few months living in Cognac. It would have been 1978. I was mad about photography, and for a period found myself enjoying what would now be referred to as street photography, very much on trend in French photo magazines at the time. I had a Pentax Spotmatic ES that my grandfather had given me, with a simple but rather lovely 50mm f1.8 lens, and a small stock of Tri-X that I scored in payment for allowing the local photo shop owner take some studio shots of me for his shop window - I was evidently a pretty teenager, but hated having my photograph taken. I took these one market day in Cognac. They're nothing special at all, but have acquired a certain curiosity value with the passing of time. The negs, which I found a few years ago in a rather damp stable, have badly suffered from fungus, and took a lot of cleaning up in PS. I show this small selection again partly because I have been piqued by Hans's lovely photos from the same period elsewhere in France, but also because they have a certain quality of mystery which I find wanting in much street photography; who were the two girls, evidently laughing, turning towards? What did the young family find so fascinating on an out-of-frame stall? What was being loaded onto that funny little pony cart? What delighted pleasantries were the two men exchanging?

I was evidently completely invisible to my subjects, which I guess is something that comes from being confident and comfortable taking candid photos of strangers; I certainly wouldn't be now!

 

[bandybw]

I really enjoy looking at these - they are great images. I have always wished I could take this type of street photography but have never been comfortable even considering it.

 

[HansTrapp]

These photos are clearly more dated. Clothing, vehicles. A very nice series in any case.
Back then, you could still take street photos without risking hostile reactions from passers-by. I'm glad I inspired you to show us these images.

 

[Steve]

I enjoyed these I know it's a genre you have a great interest in, it would be good to see some more.

 

[Elines]

Yes, agree with the comments.

I sometimes think that any ‘street’ photography will be ‘better’ 20+ years later.

But these are more than historical interest - good stuff

 

[John2]

Nice series Toby. Did we really look like that? love to have seen the second with the blond haired gent in focus, particularly with the two girls looking in his direction. Just love the hair style and trousers of the dad holding the youngster in the third.

 

[Toby Webster]

Thanks all for the kind and interesting comments.

I enjoyed these I know it's a genre you have a great interest in, it would be good to see some more.

I wouldn't say that I have a great personal interest in making street photos, and I more often than not find street submissions on forums excruciatingly awful, it's as though people think that going into a town centre with a camera and randomly firing off their shutter at ill-dressed peoples' backs as they hunch over their phones somehow qualifies them as a great photographer; it more usually identifies them as being quite the opposite, and their limp submissions as being completely depressing. Great street photographs must take enormous skill, timing and dexterity, and they often depict some fleeting and amusing or ironic juxtaposition. I've done very little, and certainly don't have the courage to do it now. Where I do, such as at the odd summer carnival that I attend, I normally find that I've got absolutely nothing worth keeping. I should say though, Steve, that I've seen more of your street photos than most on this particular forum, and I don't think it would take much to tempt me to place you amongst the greats. I'll stick to empty fields and steam engines if I may!

 

[Steve]

That is incredibly kind of you Toby I feel very humbled that would say that. I don't think I am anywhere near that category but it would be nice to get closer as I get older. There are always failures it's hard to get the image of an interesting person/scene with the right background, light etc it's just lots of practice and the pursuit of a half decent image that keeps me doing it. Somedays are not so successful, other days it's like there are images everywhere. I think you should keep having a go you know what makes a good image and it is very satisfying when it all goes to plan. You might enjoy mixing things up with your empty fields and steam engines - I quite like street shots in the park.....

 

[Pex]

Oh how cool to see a vintage series of photos by the photographer. Thanks for sharing. That mini donkey looks too cool. I like the "street" photography but for me I´m to introvert to have any success. You evidently did it decades ago. Nice and kudos