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.