Shoot Everywhere and Everything
What’s popping, people? It’s Dante, walking around Rome, thinking about one thing today: just shoot it. If you see something that scratches your curiosity, even by one percent, shoot it. Don’t overthink the subject or worry about getting the “perfect” shot. Instead, let your intuition guide you and allow everything that moves to become interesting.
Street Photography as an Ethos
One misconception about street photography is that it has to be done on the street and must involve people. In reality, street photography is an ethos—a way of seeing and capturing the world that extends beyond any specific location or subject. I approach it as a mindset, an openness to the world, where I’m letting curiosity and spontaneity lead. With this ethos, every place becomes a canvas, every scene an opportunity to create something meaningful.
“If you see something that scratches your curiosity by even 0.1%, just shoot it.”
Street photography isn’t about meticulously planning each shot or chasing technical perfection. It’s about going with the flow and letting the world reveal itself in unexpected ways. Instead of carefully lining up compositions, I allow things to fall into place naturally.
Playing with Curiosity
When you’re out shooting, don’t let yourself get caught up in the idea of a “good” composition or perfect lighting. Forget everything you think you know, go out there and play. Let your curiosity drive you to experiment. Street photography is about exploring, letting the chips fall where they may, and seeing what the moment has to offer.
“Just play more. What would a child see if they were on the street for the first time with a camera?”
Think of it this way: what would it look like if you saw the world with fresh eyes? Let motion, blur, grain, and the grittiness of the streets take over. This approach allows for artistic freedom, where you’re not just capturing reality but abstracting it. Don’t force things to line up. Simply move with the moment, capturing freely, and let the results surprise you.
Embrace Everything: Beyond Streets and Crowds
Street photography isn’t limited to crowded urban streets or specific subjects. Photograph everything that speaks to you, even if it’s just a shadow, a pattern, or a small detail. By letting go of rigid ideas about what street photography “should” be, you open yourself to new discoveries.
- Shoot everywhere: Don’t wait for the “right” location.
- Photograph everything: Embrace blur, motion, and spontaneity.
- Stay open: Every detail, every movement, is an opportunity.
“Take more pictures, and don’t be too critical of what you photograph. See what the results will be later.”
This ethos transforms photography from a strict art form into a way of life. When you carry this openness, each scene becomes something unique. Don’t overthink it, just keep shooting and let the streets and scenes unfold. You’ll find that the most powerful images are often the ones that simply happened, guided by intuition, curiosity, and the courage to let go.