My favorite aspect of street photography is that you never know what you’re going to experience when you’re out there. You could step out of your door and within the first five minutes and make a new photo, have a radically new idea, or experience.
For instance, just a few moments ago, this group of boys threw a squishy ball across the street, and it landed at my feet, I picked it up, threw it over towards them, crossed the street, and started making photos. After a few minutes of interaction, the boy pulled out a cap gun, started shooting it with his friends, and then I get to make a photo of the scene.
Was the Photo great? I don’t know and I don’t really care. The point is that the photographer is simply responsible for positioning themselves on the front lines of life. It doesn’t matter how much you know about composition, the history photography, or the technical side of things.
Were you there, were you present on the street, did you lead with courage at the forefront?
This happens to me very frequently when I’m on the street. It doesn’t matter if in my hometown or traveling somewhere new, I’m always open to experiencing something new.
The camera truly is the key, that unlocks the doors to the multifaceted complexities and experiences that you can have in life. When you set your body in motion, without preconceived notions, you’ll be surprised at what you find. Just keep an open heart, mind, and of course, two eyes.