Street Photography as Meditation
Yo, what’s poppin’ people? It’s Dante. This morning, I wanted to discuss the idea of street photography being meditation and what that means to me personally.
Over two years ago, when I started photographing with my new process in high-contrast black and white, shooting with the Ricoh GR3 or the Ricoh GR3X, I found myself naturally entering a meditative state through the act of making photographs and walking my city.
The Bliss of Walking and Observing
Walking slowly through the streets allows me to simply be. We all have a past, we all have a future, but when I’m in the present moment—
“I’m not concerned with anything other than recognizing the patterns in nature, studying the light, the river’s movements, the leaves, the human behavior on the street.”
Observing Human Behavior
This weekend, I had an interesting encounter with Dee, the best bus driver from Turkey. Marhaban! Dee’s a cool guy—he carries prayer beads and told me how he prays while driving, repeating the word haleem, haleem, haleem, which in Arabic means something like “God is patient, God is gentle.”
He treats his daily route like meditation, and he explained how repetition opens neural pathways in the brain. This got me thinking—
“When I’m walking, observing, and clicking the shutter, the repetition creates a meditative rhythm, similar to prayer.”
Walking Slow to See More
I take my time.
- I walk slowly.
- I follow the light.
- I observe the patterns.
When I’m walking, I’m not hunting for shots; I’m existing. Following the sunlight, responding to the city, and letting life flow toward me.
Photographing the Small Details
At the coffee shop, sipping an espresso, I noticed a simple leaf looming over a pot. The beauty in the mundane always strikes me.
“Street photography, for me, is about slowing down and being hyper-observant of life’s small, overlooked details.”
I make sure to photograph everything:
- People
- Buildings
- The light
- Small, unnoticed objects
Using My Camera Like a Sketchbook
I shot with the Ricoh GR3X in crop mode, switching from 40mm to 71mm, capturing the beautiful morning light near City Hall. I don’t rush—
“I stand there for 10 minutes, watching light reflections, waiting for the perfect moment to click the shutter.”
Meditation in Movement
When I photograph, I’m not thinking—I’m feeling. I enter a trance, walking slowly, watching reflections, and embracing the process. The act of walking and shooting becomes blissful.
“The dopamine rush from pressing the shutter affirms the moment, creating a peaceful, empowering experience.”
The Joy of Following the Sun
I never plan my shots—I let them come naturally. I follow the sunlight along the river, listening to the birds, enjoying the solitude.
- Walking without distraction
- Observing the way light falls
- Letting intuition guide me
Fasting and Clarity
I don’t eat breakfast or lunch, staying in a fasted state. This creates a clear connection between my mind, gut, and eyes—
“Being fasted helps me become hyper-aware of light, movement, and fleeting moments.”
Capturing the Unexpected
While walking near the Philadelphia Museum of Art, I watched kids playing in the snow-covered fountain. The scene was perfect—a decisive moment capturing the playful youth against the city skyline.
Finding Meaning in the Mundane
Even discarded blankets, tattered walls, and overlooked objects hold beauty. I uplift the mundane through photography, using my camera to ask questions about life.
Final Thoughts
To me, street photography is meditation. It brings me joy, solitude, and bliss.
“I encourage you to go slow, let life flow toward you, and just be present with your camera in hand.”
When you stop hunting and just exist, you’ll find the moments that matter. The city becomes a canvas, and walking becomes a form of self-discovery.