Intuition in Street Photography
Intuition in Street Photography
What’s poppin people? It’s Dante. I’m getting my morning started here, thinking about intuition in street photography, how I use intuition, and why I believe intuition matters.
When I look at the word intuition, it derives from the etymological roots * intuērī*, meaning *to watch* or to contemplate. That meaning really resonates with me.
Observing Life, Not Just Photographing It
I think a lot about how we can get caught up in our heads too much. As much as we’re watching life through our two eyes, through our vision, and even through our camera lens, I’m not actually looking at life through the camera.
I’m not looking at life and thinking, This is a composition. This could be a potential photograph. I simply watch. I contemplate. I recognize potential in a certain situation to make a photograph.
But when I make that photograph, I’m not glued to the camera like a hawk with my eye to the viewfinder. I recognize patterns in nature and human behavior, position my body in a particular way, and at the right time, I raise the camera to press the shutter.
“I’m looking at life for what it is. And then my photographs reflect that intuitive state—much like a flow state.”
The Flow State
Street photography is unpredictable. There’s so much chaos out there. But when you press the shutter, and you recognize that moment through your gut, that’s when you bring order into the composition.
And this doesn’t come from an analytical mind that says, Let me put this element here and that element there. It flows naturally. It comes from tapping into your gut.
Time Spent Watching and Wondering
This kind of intuition only develops with time spent outside—wandering, contemplating, looking, and watching life unfold. When you go out without preconceived notions of what you’ll find, you open yourself to unexpected moments.
“Let go of expectations. Let go of results. Let life flow to you and just be open for the ride.”
Examples of Intuition in Action
Jericho: Connecting Through Instax
One of the first times I traveled abroad to make photographs was in Jerusalem. I decided to take the bus from Jerusalem to Jericho, bringing along an Instax camera. My gut told me to use this camera like a tourist—playfully—and gift the photos I took to the people I met.
The first photograph I made was at the border. I saw sheep, a man smoking, and children nearby. I made some Instax photos and handed them out. That simple act broke the ice.
Later, my intuition guided me to a mosque where everyone was gathering. I entered, prayed, and was invited for tea by a group of men. They even invited me on a journey to the top of the Wadi Kelp mountain range.
Responding to the Unexpected
On the way up the mountain, their car broke down. I started photographing the scene. My first shots were just of the car, but something felt flat about the composition. Then my intuition kicked in, and I decided to lower my perspective. I used the vehicle as a foreground element, which elevated the frame and told the story better.
“Life unfolds in front of you, and you respond to it with your gut. That’s where the magic happens.”
Mexico City: A Mountain Adventure
In Mexico City, I found myself photographing in obvious locations—markets, streets, the usual spots. But I saw a distant mountain range and felt drawn to it. Without any plan, I followed my curiosity. I took a gondola ride up the mountain and discovered boys climbing a cross at the top.
By remaining curious and open, I let the scene unfold naturally. I dropped low to include the cross prominently in the frame and captured the moment intuitively.
Practical Tips for Intuitive Photography
- Shoot More: Don’t hesitate. Take multiple photos from different perspectives and review them later.
- Stay Curious: Follow your gut to unexpected places.
- Be Patient: Observe a scene and let it develop naturally.
- Play: Approach photography with openness and a sense of experimentation.
Recognizing Patterns
When I photograph, I’m not looking at life as a collection of pictures. The photograph is a result of positioning myself at the right time and pressing the shutter. For example, when photographing a boy doing a wheelie, I knew intuitively to drop low. If I’d stayed at eye level, the boy would have been crushed by the background.
Similarly, when I photographed a man holding a snake in front of City Hall, I dropped low to position the snake and the architecture in the same frame. These decisions weren’t analytical—they were instinctive.
“Tap into the flow state. Follow your intuition. Recognize patterns. And respond with courage.”
Final Thoughts
When I’m on the streets, I’m not overthinking. I’m simply observing, contemplating, and responding. The camera becomes my guide—a compass pointing me toward the magic of life.
So get out there. Let intuition lead the way. Shoot more, be curious, and let life flow to you.
How does a compass work?
A compass works by aligning itself with the Earth’s magnetic field, enabling users to determine direction. Here’s a detailed explanation:
1. Magnetic Field of the Earth:
The Earth acts like a giant magnet, with its magnetic field generated by the movement of molten iron and other metals in its outer core. This magnetic field has two poles: the magnetic north pole and the magnetic south pole.
2. Compass Needle:
A compass contains a lightweight, magnetized needle that is free to rotate on a pivot. The needle is magnetized so that one end (usually marked) points toward the Earth’s magnetic north pole.
3. Alignment with the Magnetic Field:
The magnetic needle aligns itself with the Earth’s magnetic field lines. The north end of the needle points toward the Earth’s magnetic north pole, while the opposite end points toward the magnetic south pole. This alignment allows the user to identify the cardinal directions (north, south, east, and west).
4. Declination:
The compass points to the Earth’s magnetic north, which is slightly different from the true geographic north (the North Pole). The angle of difference is called magnetic declination and varies depending on your location. Maps or local references often provide this information to adjust compass readings for true navigation.
5. Damping Mechanism:
Many compasses include a damping mechanism, such as liquid-filled housings, to stabilize the needle and make it easier to read.
By observing the direction of the needle and making necessary adjustments for declination, a compass helps determine directions accurately, which is crucial for navigation.
Go off the grid
Use my Ricoh GR workflow as a blueprint and join me on the path of innovation in the realm of street photography
Nothing is really happening in the city
Just driving cars around and smoking vapes and talking on the phone and sending emails at a computer?
Guard Your Gates
Don’t allow anything you don’t want to penetrate through your eyes, through your orifices, your ears, your mouth, etc. Food, media, thoughts, toxic people
- Delete all social media accounts where you don’t have any messages coming in.
- Remove and disable all notifications so that the red icon doesn’t pop up on your Messages app.
- Remove all comments.
- Remove all likes.
- Remove all feedback—good or bad.
- Leave any group chats, threads, forums, reddit, etc.
Get Close in Street Photography
Get Close in Street Photography
What’s poppin’, people? It’s Dante. This morning, I’m thinking about why you should get close in street photography. Let’s talk about my philosophy on closeness, how I integrate it within my practice, and why it matters to me.
For Beginners: Facing the Fear of Getting Close
If you’re new to street photography, you might feel anxious or overwhelmed. Maybe you’re thinking:
“What if I raise my camera to my eye, press the shutter, and get close to people? Won’t they get mad at me? I’m anxious just thinking about it!”
Here’s the thing: we want to be in that anxious, fearful state. Why? Because once we overcome that anxiety—once we push through the fear of pressing the shutter and getting close to life—that’s when the joy starts.
The secret for harvesting from existence the greatest fruitfulness and the greatest enjoyment is—to live dangerously! — Friedrich Nietzsche
Nietzsche’s idea resonates with me. Living dangerously isn’t just about thrill-seeking; it’s about finding joy in the courage it takes to engage with life. And getting close to life? That’s its own kind of danger.
Physical Closeness: Elevating the Frame
There’s something powerful about being physically close to your subject. When you’re close, the energy of the moment hits harder, and the emotions feel raw and authentic.
Think about these moments:
- A couple kissing in Mexico City during the rain.
- A man mourning at a funeral in Zambia.
When you’re close, you feel the essence of these moments. The proximity between you, your camera, and the subject adds an unparalleled intensity to the frame.
Emotional Closeness: The Hidden Ingredient
Closeness isn’t just about physical proximity. There’s also an emotional closeness that comes with time spent. For example, I once photographed two men coming out of a masjid, greeting each other with a kiss while smoking and sipping coffee.
That emotional closeness didn’t happen by accident. It came from:
- Spending time with the community.
- Drinking coffee with the people.
- Observing the rhythms of their lives.
This isn’t your typical walk-around-the-city street photography. It’s a documentary approach blended with candid moments. When you’re emotionally open, you become part of the scene—and the photographs reflect that intimacy.
Overcoming Fear: Building Courage Through Rejection
When you first start practicing street photography, rejection feels daunting. You worry about how people will perceive you. But here’s the truth:
“The more times you get told ‘no,’ the better off you are. Rejection builds resilience.”
Over time, you get used to the awkwardness. You embrace the challenge of photographing strangers, of transcending societal norms that discourage interaction. Through courage, you’ll overcome that fear.
Living Dangerously: Joy Through Risk
To me, street photography is about living on the edge. There’s joy in pushing past fear and engaging with life at its rawest. The closer you get to life—both physically and emotionally—the more meaningful your photographs will become.
“When you get close to life, it reflects back in your photographs. Courage leads to lasting memories you’ll cherish forever.”
Final Thoughts: Why Getting Close Matters
I encourage you to get closer in street photography. Push through the fear. Face rejection. Be open to confrontation. When you embrace the danger, you’ll discover more joy in life and in your work.
“The closer, the better. Get close, and watch your photographs come alive.”
So, grab your camera, head out there, and see what happens when you get close.
Why Sticking to One Focal Length Will Transform Your Photography
Why Sticking to One Focal Length Will Transform Your Photography
What’s poppin’, people? It’s Dante. This morning I’m thinking about focal length in street photography and the philosophy behind choosing the right lens. And so, I don’t believe that there’s a “right” lens.
My Philosophy on Focal Length
When it comes down to it, my philosophy around focal length is maybe strange or weird, but here it is: focal length doesn’t matter. What mattered most in my journey was sticking to one focal length, practicing with it every single day, and learning to see the world through that lens.
For me, that lens has been a 35mm lens, which I’ve used for 90% of my photographs over the years.
The Journey: From 28mm to 35mm
When I started with the Ricoh GR II and its 28mm lens, it felt natural. But as I began to travel and explore the world, I transitioned to the 35mm lens, and that switch was simple. It felt like the right tool for versatility. For five years, I stuck with that one focal length.
Around 2021, I decided to experiment with a 28mm lens again. Looking back, I think that was probably not a good idea. While I made some solid work with it, like a chaotic playground scene where it worked beautifully, I now believe it’s better to stick with one focal length.
“There’s something to be said about sticking to one focal length.”
The Difference Between 28mm and 35mm
With a 28mm lens, you get closer to life. It forces you to be out there, right on the front lines of life. But 28mm also makes you pay way more attention to the edges of the frame. Here’s an example:
- In one scene, I had to get super close to a man at his car window. Every detail—like the shadow in the corner—had to be carefully managed.
- At the same time, the closeness and dynamics of the 28mm can heighten tension and create a more playful, loose composition.
Now, let’s talk about the 35mm lens. The 35mm gives a little more compression to the image, simplifying the frame and making it cleaner. For example:
- A shot with a subject in the foreground and layers in the background can feel more balanced with the 35mm.
- With a 35mm, you can break the frame into foreground, middle ground, and background in a way that feels cohesive and concise.
“The greatest thing about using the 35mm lens is the fact that you can use layering in your compositions much more fluidly.”
Discipline: The Key to Mastery
When I was starting out, I showed my work to a salesperson at B&H Photo and asked for advice on a camera upgrade. They recommended the Fujifilm X-Pro 2 with a 23mm lens (equivalent to 35mm). Without asking too many questions, I bought it and stuck with it for five years.
During this time, I made some of my best work. Why? Because I stayed disciplined. Sticking to one focal length allows you to get so in tune with your gear that it becomes second nature.
“Eventually, you want to just stay dedicated to one focal length.”
Why Focal Length Doesn’t Really Matter
At the end of the day, focal length is just a tool. What matters is how you use it:
- Practice daily with one camera and lens.
- Let your intuition guide your compositions.
- Focus on the relationship between your body, your camera, and your subject.
When I’m out shooting, I’m not thinking about compression or technical details. I’m simply positioning myself, my camera, and pressing the shutter at the right moment.
“The composition is in the way you perceive the world. It comes through intuition and how you position your body.”
My Current Setup
Right now, I’m using two cameras:
- Ricoh GR III (28mm lens)
- Ricoh GR IIIx (40mm lens)
For a year and a half, I exclusively used the 28mm. Now, I’m transitioning to the 40mm, experimenting and finding my groove. But even with this shift, I stay disciplined. I never switch back and forth between focal lengths day to day.
Final Thoughts
If you’re just starting out, my advice is simple:
“Pick one focal length and run with it. Experiment early on, but eventually dedicate yourself to one lens for a few years. It’ll transform your photography.”
Photography is about the relationship between you and the subject. The gear should disappear. When you master one focal length, your intuition takes over, and all that matters is the moment.
That’s it for now. Peace.
Cultural decline is the reason to shine
In a modern world of mediocrity, strive to become extraordinary!