Make Street Photography Great Again
Street photography is the ultimate leisurely activity, a way to walk and stand through the day, connected deeply to the eternal now. It’s more than just taking photos—it’s about immersion in life itself, experiencing each fleeting moment fully. Today, I’m sharing some raw thoughts on how to make street photography great again by breaking away from distractions and reclaiming freedom in the art.
The Ultimate Leisurely Activity
Working hard is a slave mentality. Street photography should be as natural as breathing. If it’s something you genuinely love, it shouldn’t feel like work. Discipline may be necessary for some, but for those truly obsessed, going out to shoot is second nature.
“The more you walk, the more you see. The more you see, the more you photograph. The more you photograph, the more successful you will be with your photography.”
Remove anything that stops you from pressing the shutter as often as possible. First up: ditch film. Get a Ricoh GR digital camera—any model. It’s the new Leica. Compact, simple, and consistent, with only small improvements over generations, like the highlighted metering in newer models. Forget about settings. Set your camera to P mode, point, and shoot. Photography isn’t more “authentic” because you spent hours adjusting settings or developing film. It’s 2024—streamline your process.
Embrace Simplicity and Focus on Leisure
Ask yourself: How can you make photography easier? How can you make more photographs? Photography should be an obsession, an involuntary action. He who walks the most shall win.
Think of it like weightlifting—the more you work those photographic muscles, the stronger they become. Strap on a 40-pound plate carrier if you want to level up. Make photography a natural part of your life. If you have to force it, you’re doing it wrong.
The Art of Letting Go
With the industrial revolution, people could ditch horses for cars, no longer having to deal with the smell of poop in the morning that people had to clean up each day. Now, we need to let go of Instagram and other distractions that clutter our minds.
“If you’re still using Instagram first thing in the morning, it’s like waking up and smearing shit all over your face. Do you want shit in your eyes? No. Delete your damn Instagram.”
Engage with the world without the constant comparisons. Scrolling through Instagram is like eating McDonald’s every day. Sure, you get a quick hit, but it’s empty calories for your mind. Want to be the best version of yourself, the best photographer you can be? Disconnect.
Forget about Instagram, zines, prints—anything that diverts you from what actually matters: making photographs. Prints? They’re going to end up in a box somewhere, gathering dust. Instead, channel all your energy into the act of making photos every day. Let go of the idea of a “final product” and just exist in the moment.
Detach from Results
Ask yourself: If you could never see the results, would you still make photographs? Focus on creation, not consumption. Photography is a long game, and it takes years—even decades—to create something meaningful. Keep your attention on what’s in front of you, on the next shot, the next opportunity.
Escape the Digital Ghetto: Start Your Own Legacy
If you want to share your work, create a website. Treat it like a digital sandbox. Post your photos daily, experiment, and keep moving forward. Your own website is a blank slate where you make the rules—use it to your advantage. Publish PDFs, slideshows, blog posts, and create a network of your work that isn’t reliant on Instagram or other platforms.
How to Build the Future of Street Photography
If you’re ready to take the plunge:
- Delete your Instagram. Quit feeding the social media machine.
- Create your own domain with Bluehost.
- Build on WordPress.org for complete control.
- Install the Astra theme for a clean, modern, and user-friendly experience.
Let’s take back street photography from the endless scroll of social media. Let’s build a future that values creativity and individual expression over quick likes.
“The best art often comes from breaking the rules. Let’s build the future of street photography.”
Take control. Embrace the process, walk the streets, and make street photography great again.