Street Artist – Cellist

I was out Saturday to check out the Occupy Santa Fe demonstration, and afterwards headed toward the Santa Fe Plaza. It was a normal autumn Saturday with lots of tourists and the spillover from the demonstration. Normally on weekends there are some street musicians, but on Saturday, there was a young group of classical musicians, which was unusual. I love stringed instruments and classical music, so I went over.

With its shape and deep color, I thought that the cello would show up well in a photo. I was using my Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 lens, so I knew I could get close shots. I wanted to pare down the photo to that classic shape of the instrument. I took a lot of shots that I liked, but this one is a favorite. It was taken with an aperture of f/2.8 and a shutter speed of 1/800, to stop the movement of the bow and the musician’s hand. I just really like this photo. (:

Image Copyright © Katie Johnson. All Rights Reserved.

~ by KatiesCameraBlog on October 17, 2011.

Posted in Art
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38 Responses to “Street Artist – Cellist”

  1. I love the shape of the instrument too. Thanks for posting your settings, I always learn by reading your posts.

    helensadornmentsblog said this on October 17, 2011 at 5:55 am | Reply

  2. This was a very detailed and informative post! 😀 And the picture is so clear and beautiful 🙂 I hope I will learn to makes shots like this 🙂

    Kristina said this on October 17, 2011 at 6:21 am | Reply

  3. I love the rich color of the cello. 🙂

    Bob Zeller said this on October 17, 2011 at 7:15 am | Reply

  4. I like the composition of this one; the bow cuts the frame in half, not a ‘normal’ type of shot. Very cool!!

    Steve said this on October 17, 2011 at 7:57 am | Reply

    • Thanks, Steve! I like the straightness of the bow against the curve of the cello also. Thanks for noticing the different composition. Sometimes, I just go by what the eye sees. 🙂

      KatiesCameraBlog said this on October 17, 2011 at 8:12 am | Reply

  5. Like it! 🙂

    Nandini said this on October 17, 2011 at 11:17 am | Reply

  6. Love the close up perspective! Thanks for sharing 😀

    Marie Nagle Photography said this on October 17, 2011 at 12:24 pm | Reply

  7. Lovely!

    Zoë said this on October 17, 2011 at 1:16 pm | Reply

  8. I like how you isolated the cello and the musicians hand. Wonderful photo Katie!!

    dhphotosite said this on October 17, 2011 at 1:58 pm | Reply

  9. Mmmm, love music, and I love seeing it captured. I’m really glad you got that hand in there, the way that the hand is holding the bow, it shows the gentleness of the music being played, even if you can’t hear it.

    Very nice shot.

    mypixelizedview said this on October 17, 2011 at 2:44 pm | Reply

  10. Another awesome image! I agree– the shape of the cello is beautiful (wish I was shaped that well!). Visually, it’s a very sensual moment– the hand gently poised over the strings, the bow nearly cuts the image in half in that moment of tension before the first note sings. As always, well done, Katie!

    destrudowoman said this on October 17, 2011 at 3:02 pm | Reply

    • Thank you! Yeah, I think it’s sensual too. 🙂 They were playing some Vivaldi music which caught my ear, and I was like, I have to get over there. 🙂 So glad you liked this photo! 🙂

      KatiesCameraBlog said this on October 17, 2011 at 4:15 pm | Reply

  11. I love the way the wood on it gleams. 🙂 Great photo.

    Cin said this on October 17, 2011 at 4:23 pm | Reply

  12. It has a ‘vintage’ feel to it. I love the rusty brown. Very surreal.

    Brian Looney said this on October 17, 2011 at 4:42 pm | Reply

  13. Gorgeous!

    Soccer Mom said this on October 17, 2011 at 6:21 pm | Reply

  14. I like the way the crisply delineated edge of the cello on the right side contrasts with the blurry green background on the left. And the green background emphasizes the reddish tones of the wood even more…OK, I’m rambling. Great shot! 🙂

    Susie C. said this on October 18, 2011 at 12:38 am | Reply

    • Thanks, Suzie! Loved your rambling. 🙂 On the green in the background, that’s a bench, and I was afraid that even with F/2.8, that it would be too clear, as I wasn’t that far away from the musician, but as it was it does contrast nicely with the tones of the cello. Glad you liked the photo! 🙂

      KatiesCameraBlog said this on October 18, 2011 at 6:37 am | Reply

  15. Thats an amazing shot.. and the instrument is beautiful.. 🙂

    abichica said this on October 18, 2011 at 12:40 am | Reply

  16. Brilliant as always. What I like the most with your blog is that you’re also sharing your thoughts about the picture and how it’s done! Thank you for a truly amazing blog! Keep up the good work!

    saarimner said this on October 18, 2011 at 3:52 am | Reply

    • Ah, thank you so much! Glad you like that I describe my thought process and how I take a photo. To be honest, it helps me too, as so much of what I do is intuitive, that it reinforces what I do right (and what I do wrong too). 🙂 Thanks so much for your comment. I really appreciate the support!

      KatiesCameraBlog said this on October 18, 2011 at 6:33 am | Reply

  17. The tones you achieved are fantastic. Lovely shot.

    Matthew Kunce said this on October 18, 2011 at 4:42 am | Reply

  18. I love the light play on the instrument… this is beautiful!

    Rolling with Husky said this on October 19, 2011 at 7:24 pm | Reply

  19. Love it!

    http://photographmyworld.wordpress.com/

    Laura4NYC said this on October 20, 2011 at 4:48 pm | Reply

  20. I love this, Katie!!

    JuanitasPhotoBox said this on October 23, 2011 at 8:28 am | Reply

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