BREAK THE RULES
Rethinking Street Photography
What’s up, people? It’s Dante, and today I’m out here on the streets of Philadelphia, standing at the intersection of Order and Chaos. As I walk, I find myself thinking about the rules of street photography — those rigid guidelines that define “what it should be.” After a decade immersed in the traditional, dogmatic approach, I’m ready to flip it all on its head.
Street photography has rules, right? One camera, one lens, candid shots, and always striving for that perfect composition. But following these principles strictly… it gets stale. It limits what a photograph can be.
“Breaking free from tradition and creating your own way to play the game is a necessary step to evolve as an artist.”
The Value of Going Beyond Tradition
For years, I played by the book. I photographed bustling markets, caught people candidly, and honed my skills within the rigid structure of documentary style. One camera, one lens, find the moment, get the shot. And while I perfected my craft, something was missing — the freedom to let loose, to be messy, to just see what happens.
We often limit ourselves by sticking too closely to convention. We start thinking too much about what a photograph “should be,” and that expectation can keep us from exploring the potential of photography. Now, I’m starting to view anything and everything as a potential street photograph. The genre is limitless.
Embracing the Spirit of Play
“Think of a child — a child has endless potential for growth and remains in a state of becoming.”
Once I embraced a childlike curiosity, I felt liberated. Photography became an open playground again. I no longer worried about making a “good” photo or crafting a specific moment. Now, it’s all about playing, tinkering, and evolving. This shift in mindset has allowed me to create some of my best work yet.
What Breaking the Rules Looks Like
- Letting Go of Perfection: I’m done trying to make a “perfect” photograph. I’m more interested in capturing raw, unpolished moments.
- Mixing Up Gear: No longer one camera, one lens. I’ll shoot with whatever feels right that day.
- Embracing Mess: Sometimes I’m just out there, making a mess with my camera. I can clean it up later, and in the meantime, there’s bound to be some diamonds in the rough.
The Infinite Journey
Photography, like life, is an endless journey. By ditching expectations, I’m open to seeing the world differently every day. It’s not about reaching a final destination but about staying curious, increasing that curiosity by even 1% each day. This evolution feels vital to my practice.
“If you’re feeling stuck or stagnant, if you feel like you’ve seen it all, then switch up the process.”
Photography is an infinite game, a journey without a finish line. As I continue, I’m more interested in making a mess, finding joy in the unknown, and looking forward to what each new day reveals. There’s endless time, so why not spend it pushing boundaries, questioning expectations, and breaking the rules?
Redefining Success: The Freedom to Change
Success doesn’t mean meeting some external standard; it’s about staying open to growth and new experiences. Flip the rules on their head. Don’t let any rule or tradition define what your photography could or should be. If we approach each day with that curiosity, if we allow ourselves to be limitless, we’ll see just how far we can go.
The takeaway? Break the rules, embrace the mess, and see what you find.