Embracing Imperfection in Street Photography
What’s poppin, people? It’s Dante.
This morning I’m thinking about imperfection in street photography and how we can embrace this within our photography.
Ultimately, I believe that we are imperfect.
Human beings are imperfect creatures.
We’re flesh. We’re bound by gravity.
“We cut, we bleed. We feel sorrow, pain and greed. We lust for the flesh of others.”
We have an imperfect design in nature. The trees, too, aren’t necessarily perfect.
The bark chips off. The flowers bloom, and then they wither away.
Sometimes trees fall and die.
There’s something about this impermanent nature of life that you recognize when surrounding yourself with beautiful nature.
You realize how imperfect things really are.
“But there’s something about that imperfect nature of life that becomes so beautiful.”
When I find these beautiful little things that are discarded — whether it’s the little pots that were broken and discarded or the dead leaves falling on the ground — I can’t help but smile, not frown.
When I see something imperfect, when I see something tragic, when I see something that may cause pain or suffering…
It’s actually a much more interesting approach to affirm that feeling — affirm that sorrow, affirm that sensation or that object itself — because:
“Through that imperfect nature of life… there is perfection.”
It’s this interesting dichotomy I can’t help but notice.
Imperfection as Process
So by embracing this in our photography, I believe we can create more interesting images.
One simple suggestion?
Don’t use the viewfinder.
I use the LCD screen on the back of my Ricoh camera so I can:
- Throw the camera around
- Snapshot freely and loosely
- Be surprised by the results
I think this is a really interesting way to approach composition in street photography. Because ultimately…
“Composition derives through your intuition.”
It’s that gut instinct within you to press the shutter.
Photography Is Physical
Photography is a very physical medium.
A photographer is responsible for where they position their body in relation to the subject and background.
This requires movement.
To be on your toes.
To walk.
To physically adjust to create a composition.
That composition comes from that gut instinct — that physical response you have to the thing you’re photographing.
“The photograph reflects the imperfect nature of life when you embrace the process physically.”
Let the Chips Fall
Through snapshotting and photographing loosely, we can embrace imperfection in our photography and create more interesting work.
I’m no longer trying to create “strong” or “better” photos with every click.
I’m detaching from the outcome.
“By detaching myself from the results, I’m no longer striving for perfection.”
And you know what I’ve found?
“In order to grow, in order to evolve, in order to transform and become new — one must destroy their self.”
Destroy. Rebuild. Repeat.
That’s evolution.
Limitation Is Liberation
Over the last 2.5 years, I’ve stripped everything down:
- Removed color
- Removed excess gear
- One Ricoh camera
- High-contrast black and white baked in
This workflow:
- Bakes in the grain and grit
- Removes barriers
- Liberates me
The camera doesn’t get in the way. The process doesn’t get in the way.
I move freely, shoot freely, process within the camera, and move on.
No longer burdened by what photography “should” be — but instead, photographing what life could be.
“What I see isn’t necessarily what I get. What I get is what I didn’t see.”
That’s the magic of black and white. It plays with:
- Order and chaos
- Light and shadow
- Perfection and imperfection
Return to Play
“Each day, destroy past ways of working. Rebuild again. Become a child.”
Children aren’t trying to be perfect.
They:
- Shout and pout
- Express themselves openly
- Build castles just to knock them down
We should channel that inner child to embrace imperfection.
Each day, become nothing again — and grow.
Through making photos.
Through going outside.
Through movement and spontaneity.
This is empowering.
A Soulful Approach
So think more about perfection and imperfection.
How can you embrace this in your own photography?
“The goal is to reflect your soul through the photographs you make.”
By embracing your flaws, the flaws of life itself, you give yourself a voice.
This is the beauty of street photography.
- Serendipity
- Spontaneity
- Authenticity
Let it rise to the surface.
Whether it’s:
- Technique
- Tools
- Your mindset
These things matter. But also… they don’t.
Because ultimately:
“You must detach from the result to embrace imperfection in its purest form.”
Final Thoughts
Let go.
- Play more
- Tinker more
- Break things
Even this video — I’m using a GoPro Mini.
No LCD screen. I can’t see myself.
I didn’t shave. You can see all my flaws.
And I think… that’s more interesting.
“We are flesh. We cut, we bleed. We feel sorrow, pain and greed. We lust for the flesh of others. We are bound by gravity. Nobody is perfect.”
But that divine imperfection — that’s what makes life perfect.
These are my morning thoughts for the day about imperfection in street photography.
Thank you for watching today’s video. I’ll see you in the next one.
Oh — and one fun way to embrace imperfection?
Use your thumb or middle finger on the shutter.