In a world that is run on fear, courage is much needed.
“It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live.” – Marcus Aurelius
Courage and audacity
When it comes to every day life, I believe we must approach every moment without fear. With street photography, this is the same. Approach the world as a playground with childlike curiosity and courage.
No more doom and gloom
I believe that the news is pushing lots of fear onto the general population. In order to combat this, we must disconnect and go off the grid. Stop watching the news, the TV, social media, etc. Be insanely optimistic for the betterment of humanity. Spread more kindness and joy. At the end of the day, the smallest thing that we can do is smile.
It’s better to be the gay monster than a sentimental boar
When you approach life, with this sense of wonder and awe without any preconceived notions of what’s out there, you will go through life, headstrong without fear. Recognize that everything is ultimately out of our control. Embrace the chaos with open arms, playfully, and without care.
Increase your tenacity
The word “tenacity” comes from the Latin word “tenacitas,” meaning ‘tenseness, firmness.’ “Tenacitas” is derived from “tenax,” which means ‘tenacious, holding fast,’ and is related to “tenere,” meaning ‘to hold.’ The concept inherent in “tenacity” is one of gripping or holding onto something firmly and persistently, reflecting the modern meaning of the word: the quality or fact of being very determined and persistent.
I believe that grip strength is strength. When it comes to overcoming fear, physical training is necessary. My favorite exercise in the gym is the farmers walk. All you have to do is pick up two heavy dumbbells and walk with them. This will allow you to work on your posture and grip strength. This full body lifting technique is critical in my every day routine, and has helped me me to increase my tenacity.
Embrace confrontation
It seems that people have become afraid of confrontation. Perhaps it has something to do with the post Covid syndrome that has spread throughout society. I find that the antidote to this is to be more confrontational. Open the door for strangers, complement others, say hello to the janitors, speak with security guards, and just have fun with every day confrontation. When it comes to street photography, this will help you overcome any fear you have of rejection. Perhaps a way to overcome this is by asking for permission to make portraits of strangers. If they say no, great! This is a way for you to embrace failure and to keep on pushing with your photography.