The Power of Gratitude and Prayer
Your thoughts create your reality
Endure
HARDEN
The word “endure” has its roots in Latin and has evolved through Middle English and Old French. Here’s a breakdown of its etymology:
1. Latin Origin:
• Derived from the Latin verb indūrāre, meaning “to harden” or “to make hard.”
• In-: “Within” or “into.”
• Dūrāre: “To harden” or “to last,” related to dūrus, meaning “hard” or “harsh.”
2. Old French:
• Entered Old French as endurer, meaning “to make hard” or “to bear.”
3. Middle English:
• From Old French, it came into Middle English as enduren, retaining the meaning of “to bear, tolerate, or suffer.”
Modern Usage:
The sense of “to continue in existence despite hardship” reflects its Latin roots of hardening oneself to withstand challenges. The idea of endurance thus combines both toughness (hardness) and persistence.
Would you like further context on its philosophical or metaphorical uses?
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Compact is the future
A funny thought-
If Atget or Bresson or Winogrand was alive today, would they still be shooting with a Leica?
Absolutely not! They would be shooting with a Ricoh GR compact digital camera system.
Who is Dante Sisofo?
Dante Sisofo is a street and documentary photographer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His passion for photography ignited in 2016 during his university studies. He graduated from the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore. In 2016, Sisofo won first place in the Miami Street Photography Photo Slam, judged by renowned photographer Martin Parr. Two years later, he received a scholarship to study under Magnum photographer Alex Webb. Sisofo’s experiences extend beyond the United States. He studied at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and spent weekends photographing in Jericho. After graduating in 2018, he lived with a Palestinian family in Jericho, an experience that inspired him to join the Peace Corps in 2019 as a volunteer in Zambia, Africa. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he was evacuated and returned to Philadelphia. In addition to his street and documentary photography, Sisofo has experience in political photography. He worked as a photojournalist for the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia in 2016 and served as a field organizer during the presidential election, contributing to the election of President Joe Biden. Sisofo’s work is characterized by a deep engagement with the world around him, capturing spontaneous and candid moments that reflect the human experience. He emphasizes curiosity and the joy of the process in his photography, using compact cameras like the Ricoh GR III for its portability. His philosophy extends beyond photography into life itself, focusing on intentional living and personal growth.
CONTACT SHEETS
What’s poppin’, people? It’s Dante.
This morning, I was going through my contact sheets, and I figured, why not share them with you? You can grab the PDF for free.
I’m putting this out there because I want to empower you as a photographer. This is the kind of stuff I wish I had when I was just starting out. Whether you’re new to street photography or you’ve been at it for a while and want to dive deeper into the mindset behind the photos I’ve made, this is for you.
With more information out there, open and accessible, we can all grow, learn, and push ourselves further.
\Why contact sheets?
First and foremost, I decided to make this E-Book of my contact sheets to empower other photographers. My goal is to help you learn through some simple tips and wisdom I’ve gained over the past decade of photographing around the world. By studying my contact sheets, you will see the behind the scenes of how my photographs were made. I will give you some advice and background information throughout this PDF. Please feel free to download and share this with other photographers that want to learn!
The decisive moment
The notion of the decisive moment can be easily misunderstood in photography. Some people might believe that photographs are made with only a single click of the shutter. Realistically, the best photographs are made by making way more photos than you may think.
Shoot first, ask questions later.
Work the scene
Many successful photographs are made by working the scene. What this means is, when you see something interesting, you follow through with making many pictures of the situation, moving your body and watching life unfold. Working the scene requires repetition and patience. It’s important to work the scene in because it will increase your chances of making a successful photograph.
Don’t leave the scene until the scene leaves you.
Composition
Photography is like visual problem solving. We are only really responsible for where we position our body, the camera, and when we press the shutter. We decide what we would like to exclude and include within the frame. To make successful photographs, you must have strong intuition and visual acuity. Composition requires daily practice that no amount of theory can teach you.
Create visual harmony out of chaos.
1. ASK FOR PERMISSION
One day in Baltimore, I passed by a house with a big family outside. I started a conversation with a mother and she told me that she was preparing her children for a bath. I then asked her for permission to make some photographs. They quickly started sprinting towards the sidewalk. The energy was high and required me to be on my toes. I turned the corner, dropped to a low angle, and everyone ran directly towards me. The spontaneous nature of children playing can be a tricky subject to work with, but by remaining playful and acting fast, I found success. I even let one kid make some photos of me with my camera before their mother took them inside! You never know what stories will unfold through conversation. Asking for permission is critical in my process. I believe it’s important to connect with people on the street. Photographers don’t always need to be a fly on the wall. Remain open and curious. Embrace others with honesty and you will be rewarded.
Don’t be afraid to ask for permission.
CONTACT SHEET #1: Baltimore, USA – April 11, 2016
2. GET CLOSE
In photography, it’s important to get close to your subjects. When I consider closeness, I not only consider the physical proximity, but also emotional closeness. Here at this scene, I photographed my grandmother. While she was sunbathing by the pool, I decided to take advantage of the moment and make a photograph. Initially, I was composing from a neutral distance, and not very close. Once I recognized her gesture as the significant element to include in the frame, I decided to get as close as possible to this moment. Positioning my camera at a low angle was critical for me to achieve visual harmony. The cloud in the background, the striking colors, the gesture, the red lipstick, all fell together as I got closer and closer. Ultimately, closeness is both a physical and emotional concept for me.
The closer you are, the better the photograph.
CONTACT SHEET #2: Philadelphia, USA – May 29, 2016
3. FILL THE FRAME
On a beautiful summer day in Napoli, my brother and I decided to go swimming. We noticed a group of men sunbathing beside us. Because of the language barrier, I had no way of communicating with them. I simply used photography as a way for me to engage and just started making pictures of them. The men then proceeded to pull a watermelon from the sea that they kept underwater to use as a natural refrigerator. We enjoyed eating together and spent a few hours with this group. When the man started slicing the watermelon, I knew this was the moment to photograph. I observed the men from above at a higher vantage point. This perspective allowed me to fill the frame as two men are positioned on both the left and right side. I waited as the man in the water swam into the center of my frame and pressed the shutter. My patience paid off, and I managed to squeeze in detail from edge to edge throughout the frame.
Filling the frame makes photos more striking.
CONTACT SHEET #3: Napoli, Italy – August 15, 2017
4. TELL A STORY
I exited a mosque in Jericho after prayer. A group of men, the Jahlin Family, took notice of my curiosity. They invited me to their home, shared tea with me, and took me on an adventure. I got in the back of their car, and we drove to the top of the Wadi Qelt mountain range. The road was treacherous, and one of the vehicles broke down along the way. The men exited the car and started pushing the car uphill. As the chaos ensued, I hopped out and started making pictures. I decided to include the car in the foreground of the frame. This detail makes the composition successful and helps tell a story. Ultimately, we made it to the peak, made some coffee over a fire, danced, sang, and enjoyed the view of the Dead Sea.
Let the details tell the story.
CONTACT SHEET #4: Jericho, Palestine – February 17, 2017
5. USE LAYERS
While I was walking around the desert in Jericho, a group of boys started following me. Many children enjoy playing with loose tires, and they were pushing one along. I noticed a building that was under construction and was invited inside by the workers as they were taking a break. One of the boys followed me inside, and was standing by the window. I took notice of the window, and how I could use it in a composition. The boy with the tire passed by the window frame, and I decided to use the layering technique. By positioning the boy in the foreground on the left side, and placing the window frame on the right, the foreground and background came together. Sometimes it’s clever to put a frame within a frame when layering.
At this scene, the foreground of the child and the background in the window were obvious decisions to include to make a strong layered photograph.
Layers create a visual feast.
CONTACT SHEET #5: Jericho, Palestine – February 18, 2017
6. MAKE IMPACT
In East Jerusalem, there is a refugee camp named Shu’Fat. There are thousands of Palestinians that live within this community, surrounded by a wall. The looming wall is tall and was the obvious subject to photograph. It made such an impact on my soul, that it sent shivers down my spine, viewing it in person. Walking along the wall, I stumbled across a group of boys playing. They were throwing stones over the wall and rummaging through some garbage. I photographed quickly as the moments were fleeting. One boy decided to pick up a baby stroller and threw it towards the wall. At that moment, I was prepared with my camera by photographing with repetition.
Put yourself in a position to make an impactful composition.
CONTACT SHEET #6: Jerusalem, Israel – February 24, 2017
7. BE COURAGEOUS
I believe a strong photograph requires the photographer to be in the heat of the action. At the border of Jericho, conflict broke out at the scene. I found myself at the frontlines, standing beside Palestinians, being shot at with live ammunition, rubber bullets, and teargas. Tires were set on fire, creating a furious atmosphere at the scene. Standing behind a concrete wall for cover, I turn to the left of me and noticed a masked man. As he looked back towards me, I pressed the shutter.
The man’s gaze, fiery scene, and the tattered mask makes it needless for me to say that I had to display all of the courage in my soul to make this photograph.
How much courage did it take for you to press the shutter?
CONTACT SHEET #7: Jericho, Palestine – May 26, 2017
8. STAY PLAYFUL
Along the dirt path in Zambia, Africa, I noticed a group of boys collecting sand to make bricks. When they noticed me with my camera, they put their work aside and began doing tricks. As the boys leaped into the air, I dropped to my knees and got as low as possible. This perspective allowed me to use the blue sky as a clean background to separate the boys in the foreground. I believe it’s important to be playful on the street. Embrace your inner child, and don’t take yourself so seriously. Don’t be a boring photographer. Just have fun!
Embrace the spirit of play.
CONTACT SHEET #8: Zambia, Africa – August 11, 2019
9. LOOK FOR GESTURES
I spent two weeks at a Seventh-day Adventist church camp in Zambia, Africa. I slept under a makeshift tent, built of sticks and plastic tarps. Each day, there was mass in the center of the village. Afterwards, people would go to the lake and bathe, clean their clothes, and fetch drinking water. On this particular day, it was time to initiate hundreds of Zambians in a baptismal procession by the lake. Because the event was taking place in the lake, I decided I needed to get scrappy to make this photo. I quickly took off my shoes, left my spare batteries in the dirt, and went into the water. Looking for the gestures at this scene was critical. I noticed the preacher would raise his hand before dunking people in the water. This caused me to drop to a low angle and make sure I photograph his hand at the moment it rose into the sky. Watch the faces of people when you are looking to photograph gestures and the way they gaze with their eyes.
Strong gestures create tension.
CONTACT SHEET #9: Zambia, Africa – August 30, 2019
10. CHAMPION HUMANITY
In Zambia, Africa it’s respectful to view your neighbor’s funeral procession, even if you do not know them personally. Because of this, I made sure to bear witness with my camera and document this experience. The day was very emotional with lots of mourning and prayer. As the casket was lowered into the ground, groups of men started covering the hole. I noticed a man down on his knees, crying, and filled with emotion. The shovels were moving quickly and dirt flew all throughout the scene. I dropped low to the ground and decided to photograph very closely, revealing the emotion on the man’s face. A photograph reveals the soul of the people in the frame. As photographers, it’s our duty to share the human experience and elevate it to new heights. Champion humanity and what it means to be alive.
Document the multifaceted complexities of life.
CONTACT SHEET #10: Zambia, Africa – October 22, 2019
11. CREATE MYSTERY
Philadelphia has a lively breakdancing scene. In the summer, you often see people outside blasting music and dancing. On Market Street, the light was striking, and provided me the perfect time of day to photograph this scene. Mystery is difficult to achieve in a photograph, especially when things such as dancing can be seen so obviously. Because the light was just right, I found myself lost in the shadows. As the man flipped over and over again, I tried my luck at photographing this decisive moment. When I viewed the photograph, I was shocked, asking myself how this was even a possibility for the shadow to display itself this way. To create mystery with your photography, you must leave the viewer asking more questions than providing answers. At the end of the day, the ultimate goal of photography is to remain curious. There is one simple question I encourage you to ask yourself before you head out with your camera each day…
What will reality manifest to be in a photograph?
CONTACT SHEET #11: Philadelphia, USA – June 24, 2021
My Street Photography Secrets
My Street Photography Secrets
What’s poppin, people? It’s Dante. This morning I’m looking at my contact sheets, and I actually wanted to share this with you as a free PDF that you can access in the description or via blog post. All you have to do is click on the link, and it’ll take you to all of these contact sheets.
All of the information I’m going to be sharing in this video is for free. I figured I’d share that in the very beginning of this video because I want to empower you as a photographer. I want you to have the information that I wish I had when I was getting started. The idea with this video, and the idea behind sharing this information openly, is that you can improve your photography.
This is for anybody that’s getting started with street photography or even an advanced street photographer who just wants to understand the mindset behind the photographs I made, the reasons why I made certain photographs, and my personal process. Because with more information out there and open in the world, I believe that we can all improve, learn, and grow.
The Spirit of Play
In the beginning of these contact sheets, I have a picture of myself on a real contact sheet that my friend Matthew Wong made of me. I found this screenshot randomly and decided to throw it in. I was beatboxing at a random LAN party in Palestine, in Jericho City. It reminded me of being a little boy and having friends come over. Somebody would bring an Xbox, and then we would system link the original Xbox together so that we could play with more than four people.
We could have eight players on a Halo: Combat Evolved map and play with this system link setup—just like how these youth in a little computer room were playing. I embraced the spirit of play. I embrace this childlike spirit while I’m on the streets.
I think this, to me, is the essence of my process. I do not take myself seriously. I do not take myself like this serious, hardcore, kind of documentary photographer. I’m very loose with my approach.
I’m very playful, and I believe that is my biggest secret to how I’ve made a lot of my photographs over the years. By beatboxing and being playful at the scene, I was able to make lots of photographs in this new community.
Dispelling the Myth of the Decisive Moment
And so, again, I made this document so that you can empower yourself. When I got started, I always looked online for information about street photography, but I found it pretty hard to find useful information. Hopefully, some of the things I’ve synthesized today can be beneficial to you.
One of the first things I believe is important to dispel is the notion of the “decisive moment.” This is the idea where you think of a photographer making a photograph on the streets, and there’s this incredible moment where all the stars align, and you wonder: How did they get that shot? Was it really just that one decisive moment?
“In actuality, most of the great photographs you see have been made with multiple clicks of the shutter.”
By moving your body around at a scene and adjusting your angle and perspective, you can finally arrive at the conclusion of the photograph. My motto when I’m approaching the streets, seeing a scene unfold, and photographing it intensely is simple: shoot first and then ask questions later. Figure out what it all means when you get home and upload the photos to your computer.
Crafting Visually Compelling Photographs
It’s important to know that in order to create these complex photographs that are not only visually compelling, but also emotionally impactful, they must also be:
- Compositionally sound
- Concise
- Legible and readable
These are the elements that allow a viewer to feel the impact of the photograph upon glancing at it.
By analyzing some of the photographs I make, you’re going to see how I achieve this. When I’m photographing at a scene, I make sure to be patient and watch life unfold in front of me. Oftentimes, I don’t leave the scene until the scene leaves me.
Composition as Visual Problem-Solving
When we talk about composition today, I like to think about it as visual problem-solving. I see the world like a visual puzzle. The goal of the photographer is to articulate the world and bring order to the chaos of spontaneity and those weird, unusual moments that often go overlooked on the streets.
As photographers, we become hyper-aware of the patterns in nature and human behavior—whether we’re observing:
- The light
- The lines, forms, and geometry
- The way people move and gesture on the street
These nuanced things become something we’re highly aware of, allowing us to put order to those moments through composition.
Intuition and Shooting from the Heart
In order to make something strong and impactful, you must have sharp visual acuity and heightened intuition. Ultimately, most of the compositions I make come through intuition. As much as I’m looking at the world through my two eyes, I’m shooting from the heart.
The Controversial Tip: Asking for Permission
One of the first bits of advice I have for street photographers—which is extremely controversial in the realm of street photography—is to ask for permission. I believe this is one of the critical secrets in my process that has allowed me to make these photographs.
For example, at this scene, we had a group of young children playing on the sidewalk. Here’s what happened: I was exploring in Baltimore, and I noticed a mother outside of one of the homes with all of her children. They were getting ready to take a bath. The mother was telling me how the children wouldn’t give her a break—they kept playing, they wouldn’t stop moving, and she was having trouble getting them together to take their bath.
The energy at this scene was extremely high, and it required me to be on my toes. After asking the mother for permission, I remained playful at the scene. Through my intuition and dropping to a low angle, I was able to make photographs that captured the essence of the moment.
The Benefits of Asking for Permission
By asking for permission, you can be granted these beautiful moments—moments that otherwise might not happen. Without permission, you may hesitate or fail to press the shutter at the right time. As a street photographer, sometimes it’s best to be fluid with your approach, open to conversation and confrontation.
“We often think of street photographers as flies on the wall—detached observers—but for me, that’s not my process.”
Sharing the Camera
I oftentimes ask for permission, and a lot of the time, I’ll even give the camera to strangers. For example, I handed my Ricoh GR II to the children, and they started taking photos of me. I don’t take myself too seriously as a photographer. My process is visible, playful, and interactive.
Embracing Playfulness in Photography
You know, I’m not a very serious photographer. I really hope that comes across in my process and the way I talk about it. I’m not necessarily this serious, traditional photographer.
I have no problem handing my camera over to children and letting them take photos, too. I’m not shy to ask for permission. For instance, when I zoom in on this particular scene from the contact sheet, there comes a moment where a decision needs to be made about which photograph to select.
Choosing the Keeper Photo
This image here is quite strong and impactful. The reason I selected it as the keeper is the synthesis of elements within the frame. There’s something raw, spontaneous, and visceral in this photograph that the other images lacked.
The keeper photo stands out because of:
- The hand raised in the background.
- The wonky composition of the boy standing on top of the girl, who is looking down toward my shadow.
- The shadow play and the light at the scene.
You can see how the boy’s shadow is cast on the sidewalk, creating depth in the image. The leading lines in the background draw you in, and the separation of the background elevates the gesture. I intuitively dropped low to make this composition. That decision made all the elements come together.
Getting Close: Physically and Emotionally
Going off the last image I shared, I believe it’s important to get close—not just physically but emotionally too. Photograph what’s closest to you. This is a photograph of my grandmother. She’s resting and sunbathing, as she always loved to do.
To me, this is one of my favorite street photographs of all time—because it’s of my grandmother. It makes me smile, despite the fact that it may not be the most flattering photograph. This is my grandmother.
Playing with the Scene: Closeness and Permission
When you’re photographing people you know or those you have permission to photograph, you can play more, you can tinker more. You can even put the camera extremely close to the subject’s face and create intimate photographs.
At this particular scene, I noticed how my grandmother’s hand was blocking the sun as she wore her sunglasses. The red lipstick stood out, as did her red nails, but the real moment was the way her hand rested on her forehead. There was this incredible gesture of her holding her hand up, and her arm created a beautiful shape.
The Process of Intuition and Adjustment
Initially, I recognized this gesture at the scene. I intuitively dropped low and moved closer, observing the photograph unfold in front of me. I made multiple photographs of the same thing, adjusting micro-movements and making small adjustments to arrive at the ultimate photograph.
“Sometimes, you don’t need to show the full face of the subject. By cropping to show only the lips, the photograph can become more mysterious and interesting.”
The Power of Low Angles
In this scene, the low angle was essential. It worked best because of:
- The sky in the background.
- The way the clouds popped out.
- The vibrance in the scene’s colors, including the buildings on the rooftop.
This low angle brought all the elements together naturally, and getting as close as possible made the photograph even stronger. I believe closeness isn’t just a physical thing; it’s an emotional closeness you share with the subjects you photograph.
Emotional Engagement and Time
Spending time at a scene is where the magic happens. You become emotionally engaged with the people you photograph. There’s something more than just putting the camera close to the subject—it’s about creating a connection that gives the photograph both emotional and visual impact.
Emotional Closeness in Street Photography
I think there’s an emotional closeness for me, at least, when I’m practicing street photography. Speaking of closeness, let’s talk about Napoli. At the sea, we see these Pisans pulling watermelons out of the water, their natural refrigerator. They stored the watermelons in the water and then pulled them out, cut them up, and I got to enjoy some watermelon at this scene.
A Joyful Trip to Italy
My brother Julian and I went on a trip to Italy together during the summer, and it was an amazing time. It was one of my favorite trips of all time. Being with my brother, we got to experience our cultural roots as Italians and just enjoy time by the sea.
At that time, I wasn’t necessarily focused on photography—similar to when I photographed my grandmother. I was just hanging out with family, swimming, chilling on the rocks, sunbathing, and enjoying life. I wasn’t specifically looking to make photographs, but I always had my camera with me.
Always Carry Your Camera
One of the most important parts of my street photography philosophy is to always have the camera on you. You never know when these moments will unfold. I’m so thankful I had my camera at this scene.
We spent hours sunbathing, swimming, chatting with locals, and enjoying a beautiful day. It was a joyous day. And I really had a great time making this photograph. I think that’s what shines in the photograph—the joy itself. The photograph becomes a reflection of your joy.
Filling the Frame in Napoli
At the scene in Napoli, I decided to fill the frame by positioning my body and camera at a higher vantage point, looking down at the water. What caught my attention was the gesture of a man peeling a watermelon open. I photographed the entire process: cracking the watermelon, cutting it open, and handing pieces to his friends, my brother, and me.
The man swimming in the background became the cherry on top. This element made the photograph visually compelling. The watermelon formed a beautiful triangle, filling the frame and creating depth. Without the swimmer, the photograph would have fallen flat.
Key Tips for Filling the Frame
- Include elements in all corners and positions of the frame.
- Create visual depth and layering.
- Look for small details in the background that elevate the composition.
By looking at the background, analyzing the swimmer, and noticing these little things, I positioned my body perfectly. Filling the frame makes a photograph much more striking, but it’s important to synthesize the frame so it’s filled yet easily readable. For example, having three subjects and three pieces of watermelon creates a composition that guides the viewer’s eye naturally.
A Journey to Jericho
This photograph is from Jericho and one of the first I made there. At this scene, I was praying in a mosque. My curiosity led me to observe how everyone in Jericho went to the mosque five times a day. During certain times, the streets would be empty, and I wondered where everyone was.
Curiosity led me inside the mosque, where I learned to pray, make wudu, and engage with the community. Eventually, I lived with a Palestinian family for a few months, sleeping on mosque floors and immersing myself in their culture. These experiences allowed me to tell stories through my photographs.
Capturing Stories: The Car Breakdown
At another scene, I encountered a chaotic frenzy of a car breaking down. The men got out and began pushing it uphill. After I prayed in the mosque, they noticed me, invited me to their home, and offered tea and coffee. We spent time on their rooftop, where they were constructing a new room for their brother. This time together allowed me to make photographs that tell a deeper story.
The Beauty of Stories in Photography
To me, the story behind the photograph makes it more compelling. To tell a story with a photograph, you need depth and connection to the subjects. In a visual sense, you create a story by the details you include in the composition, such as the car in the foreground and the mountain in the background.
“The stories we tell with photographs should reflect our life journey—our adventures in the open world.”
My adventure with this group of brothers involved climbing the Wadi Kelp mountain range, driving with strangers, and dancing, singing, and sharing tea at the mountaintop. The beauty of photography lies in the adventure of a lifetime, which is always waiting outside your window.
Photography as a Visual Language
I approached this day playfully. I made Instax pictures with my camera and gifted them portraits. Carrying an Instax camera becomes a way to communicate—a visual language. Gifting photographs transcends cultural and language barriers, sparking smiles and joy.
This day guided me. I allowed the camera and my curiosity to lead me. I responded intuitively, listening to my gut, which told me to follow the brothers up the mountain. When their car broke down, I hopped out and made a few different frames.
Elevating a Composition
Initially, the frame of the car and the mountain in the background felt flat. By including the car in the foreground, I created a much more striking composition. The added depth and detail elevated the photograph, making it visually compelling, mysterious, and intriguing.
“Adding small details in the foreground can elevate a photograph to new heights.”
I experimented with different angles, shooting through the car window and capturing the scene from multiple perspectives. The beautiful background and the interactions at the scene made it one of the most beautiful experiences I’ve ever had in my life.
Mastering Layering in Photography
Layering is something I believe I’ve mastered over the years in photography. I’ve spent a lot of time synthesizing compositions by combining the foreground, middle ground, and background. I approach life not as a one-dimensional, linear thing, but as a dynamic puzzle of elements unfolding naturally.
At this particular scene in Jericho, some boys followed me into a construction site. Rather than photographing the site itself, I became intrigued by the shape of a wall and the way light hit it. I noticed a boy with a tire coming around the corner and decided to include him in the frame.
Layering as a Visual Feast
When you layer a composition, you add depth and intrigue. An image that ties together multiple visual pieces becomes much more impactful than a simple moment. Initially, I photographed the boy with the tire through a window, using the window’s shape as a frame within the frame.
The world is complex, filled with details. When you analyze a scene, think of it as a puzzle, piecing together elements that create a complete composition. In this case, the open window became the puzzle piece that filled the frame and made the photograph successful.
Capturing Strange and Impactful Moments
While layering is a powerful tool, sometimes a photograph doesn’t need it. There’s something to be said for simple, decisive moments that elevate a frame. For instance, in a photograph of a boy throwing a stroller against a wall, the strange moment itself creates the impact.
This frame was very simple:
- The boy.
- The wall that separates Israel and Palestine.
- The blue sky.
“These three elements create impact by focusing the viewer’s attention on the moment.”
The Role of Courage in Street Photography
In East Jerusalem, I spent time walking through the Shofat refugee camp. I wanted to photograph the wall there, but a lot of photography comes down to courage. It requires the bravery to explore new places and position yourself on the front lines of life.
You need to be out there in the world to make impactful compositions. At one point, I climbed on top of the wall to capture a scene. While standing there, a boy threw a rock at me, hitting my leg. It reminded me of childhood acorn fights.
Finding the Moment of Interest
As the boy tried to throw a stroller over the wall, I knew I had found my moment of interest. I photographed from multiple angles, which is the beauty of using a contact sheet—you can see how the scene was built. When I moved my body to the side, I allowed the lines and background to create dynamic framing, adding depth to the frame without overcomplicating it.
“Layering can be as simple as placing the subject in front of a clean background to enhance depth and composition.”
Courage: The Core of Street Photography
Courage, derived from the Latin cor (meaning heart), is essential in street photography. It’s about positioning yourself in the world to get closer to life itself. Whether capturing quiet moments in your hometown or confronting chaotic scenes in new places, courage shines through your approach. At this scene, adjusting my position to the perfect angle allowed me to create the impactful photograph I was aiming for.
Courage is not just about facing chaos—it’s about the willingness to immerse yourself in life and tell stories with your camera.
The Blend of Street and Documentary Photography
Now you’ll look at this photograph and think, “This isn’t street photography; this is war photography.” What are you talking about, street photography? I’m a street photographer. When I approach new locations, travel the world, or go anywhere, the label “street photography” doesn’t really matter to me.
“For the most part, I approach the streets and the world with a documentary mindset, engaging with life through a visual aesthetic that aligns with street photography.”
Courage at the Core of Photography
Courage, derived from the Latin word cor (meaning heart), is essential in photography. A strong photograph comes from the heart and the willingness to position yourself out in the world. As I spent more time in the Jericho community, I noticed conflict breaking out, and I decided to test my courage. I got closer and closer to the front lines, determined to make meaningful photographs.
At one particular scene, smoke filled the background, a tire was on fire, and live ammunition whizzed past. I noticed a man with a tattered mask, visually compelling in the chaos. I decided to stand at the barricade with him, even as rubber bullets and tear gas rained down.
“An important question to ask yourself when reviewing your photographs is: Did it require courage to make this?”
Courage doesn’t require a war zone. You can display courage in your hometown by approaching strangers, getting closer to life, and creating impactful compositions. At this scene, I got as close as humanly possible, and it remains one of my favorite photographs.
Embracing Playfulness in Photography
I don’t take myself too seriously as a photographer. I love to play, stay on my toes, and have fun. At one scene, young boys were working—collecting sand in buckets to build bricks. They noticed my camera and began doing tricks, flipping over the sand with impressive athleticism. Naturally, I started photographing them.
“This spirit of play aligns with my photographic process. It’s about being present and playful, capturing life as it unfolds.”
During my time as a Peace Corps volunteer in Zambia, I lived in a mud hut and worked in aquaculture. This is where I fully embraced the importance of play, even in serious contexts. In one scene, I captured a boy mid-backflip against the vibrant blue sky. It took time, patience, and dozens of photos to perfect this moment.
Observing Gestures: The Key to Strong Frames
Gestures—especially hand movements—are critical in photography. When you’re on the street, pay attention to people’s hands, feet, and the patterns of their movements. These simple observations can significantly elevate a photograph.
At a Seventh-Day Adventist Church camp in Zambia, thousands gathered under makeshift tents. For two weeks, we slept under the stars and celebrated together. The camp culminated in a series of baptisms at a nearby lake. I waded into the water, up to my chest, observing the patterns of the preacher’s gestures and the rhythm of the baptisms.
Initially, I thought the most interesting moment would be when individuals emerged from the water. However, I soon realized the preacher’s raised hand before the dunking was the stronger gesture. This insight transformed the photograph, showcasing the significance of studying patterns and gestures.
Honoring Humanity Through Photography
Photography is about championing humanity—the joy, sorrow, and in-between moments. While in Zambia, I witnessed many funerals. In Zambian culture, it’s encouraged to attend funerals even if you don’t know the family. Communities gather from all over, mourning together for weeks.
“It’s respectful to be present at these moments, and I was given permission to photograph a funeral.”
At one funeral, as the casket was lowered, I noticed a man mourning intensely. I followed his emotional response, dropping to a low angle to capture the rawness of his grief. Smoke, dirt, and the gathering crowd created a visually compelling frame, but the man’s gesture was the emotional focal point.
Celebrating Movement and Light
In Philadelphia, I often photograph Market Street in the summer, where breakdancers and street performers fill the streets. Movement fascinates me—anything that moves is fair game. At one scene, I captured a dancer mid-flip, his shadow cast strikingly on the ground.
“Light and shadow play can elevate a scene to a more mysterious level, creating a dynamic photograph that invites the viewer in.”
This photograph’s impact lies in the interplay of three elements:
- The dancer in motion.
- The shadow on the ground.
- The background that ties the composition together.
Wrapping It Up: Sharing the Journey
At the end of my journey, I photographed a piece of paper with my name written in Arabic, scanned it, and included it with a photo of the Jalin brothers from Jericho. My goal is to inspire others to approach photography with curiosity, courage, and playfulness.
“You can access my contact sheets and explore this journey on my blog. I hope this new video format and shared process provide value to your photographic practice.”
