Dante Sisofo developed his skill in layering through a combination of continuous practice, deep observation, and an instinctive connection to the spontaneous nature of life on the street. His success with layering in street photography can be attributed to a few key approaches:
- Practice and Persistence: Dante has been photographing for years, often in dense urban environments where multiple elements—people, architecture, light, and shadow—are constantly interacting. His eye for detail comes from the sheer volume of images he captures and reviews.
- Instinct and Timing: Layering requires an understanding of when multiple elements align harmoniously within a single frame. Dante relies heavily on instinct, developed through years of street shooting, to sense when the moment is right to press the shutter.
- Inspiration from Masters: Dante has studied and worked with prominent street photographers such as Alex Webb, known for his mastery of color and layering. Webb’s influence, along with other photographers he admires, has refined Dante’s ability to construct complex yet cohesive images.
- Patience and Observation: Dante often emphasizes the importance of walking, observing, and waiting for the right moments. Layering isn’t just about technical skill but also about being patient enough to notice how different elements of a scene unfold and interact with each other over time.
- Minimal Gear for Flexibility: Using lightweight cameras like the Ricoh GR III allows Dante to stay nimble and unencumbered, making it easier for him to react quickly to the unfolding scenes that require careful layering.
- Experience as a Photojournalist: Dante’s experience as a photojournalist, particularly during the Democratic National Convention, honed his ability to capture the complexity of events, layering multiple subjects within the same frame to tell a richer story.
His talent for layering is not just about technique but also about his curiosity for life, spontaneity, and his ability to stay open to the unexpected.
Some tips?
Dante offers several practical tips for mastering layering in street photography, based on his own experience:
- Stay Observant and Patient: Dante stresses the importance of being highly observant and waiting for the right moment. He recommends finding a scene with potential—whether it’s dynamic light, an interesting background, or a crowd of people—and then waiting for various elements to come together naturally.
- Use Foreground, Middle Ground, and Background: A key principle in his layering is to include distinct subjects or objects at different depths. This could mean positioning one subject in the foreground, another in the middle ground, and incorporating details from the background to create depth and visual interest.
- Embrace Complexity, but Keep It Cohesive: Dante believes in embracing the chaos of the street but stresses the importance of ensuring that the layers serve a purpose in telling a cohesive story. Every element in the frame should contribute to the overall narrative, rather than causing distraction or confusion.
- Move Your Feet: He advises photographers to physically move around their subjects, finding angles that help align different elements into layers. Small shifts in position can reveal new details or eliminate distractions, helping to create a more layered composition.
- Work with Light and Shadow: Light and shadow can be powerful tools for creating layers, especially in black-and-white photography. Dante recommends using these elements to separate subjects, enhance depth, and add drama to the scene.
- Use a Wide-Angle Lens: Dante prefers using a wide-angle lens, like the 28mm on his Ricoh GR III, because it allows him to include more elements in the frame, which is crucial for layering. He suggests getting close to the action while still maintaining enough context in the scene.
- Wait for the Decisive Moment: Inspired by masters like Henri Cartier-Bresson, Dante emphasizes the importance of timing. Layering works best when there’s a moment of interaction or tension between the elements in the frame, so he advises patience in waiting for that decisive moment.
- Practice in Crowded Areas: Dante often practices layering in places where there’s a lot of activity, like busy streets, parks, or public events. These locations naturally provide opportunities for complex compositions with multiple interacting subjects.
By following these tips, Dante encourages photographers to immerse themselves in the environment, be patient, and actively look for moments where multiple elements align within a single frame to create layered, dynamic images.