One misconception about street photography is that you must be a fly on the wall and never interact with your subjects. I’m here to dispel this myth and allow you the permission to ask for permission.
Closeness isn’t just physical proximity
When I consider getting close and street photography, I consider an emotional closeness to my subjects. In order to achieve this, you must recognize that asking for permission is critical. When you ask for permission, it opens a dialogue between you and the subject. You’re able to have a more intimate relationship with the people in your photographs. When I ask for permission on the street, I’ve been invited into people’s homes, driven in their cars on adventures, invited to a wedding ceremony, funerals, baptisms, celebrations, etc.
Be an explorer first
Treat the camera as a passport. What this means is, you are in control of your destiny and where photography will take you. I believe that remaining curious and open to new experiences is critical for street photographers. Consider yourself an adventurer, an explorer first. Photography is merely just the way of seeing the world and positioning yourself and the camera at the right time. I believe that all of the technical things about photography, whether it’s settings, composition, layering, lighting, etc. is all boring and super easy to learn. What takes skill is actually being the photographer that will be at the front lines, interacting with life, and taking each moment in.
Forget about the pictures, just explore.
Audacity
Photography all comes down to whether or not you have the audacity to actually go out into the world and engage with life itself. I believe that photography is a very simple medium. You move your physical body and understand how to make relationships between different things in life in front of you. Everything else is the problem here and difficult for others, such as engaging with life and strangers. What happens is, we get caught up in our heads as photographers. We think of ourselves like we’re some sort of master photographer, channeling our inner documentarian or visual storyteller. I say let all this nonsense go to the side. You should be an amateur on the streets. You should be playful. Embrace your inner child, and just have fun! Chat with people. Care more. Become emotionally invested in people and the world. The pictures will come to you.
How curious can one be in a lifetime?
Don’t focus on the outcome
When I go out there with my camera, I’m not actively looking for photographs. Any photographer that goes out just to take pictures is living their life in a really strange way. You should be out there, exploring the world because you’re merely curious about life itself. Photography is just the excuse, or the cup of espresso in the morning to get your body moving. You shouldn’t be making it the priority. When you’re out there, don’t expect anything. Follow your intuition, walk with your head up, shoulders, back, and eyes wide open. Remain confident and courageous, and open to interacting with people in public. Use the camera as a key to unlock many new doors in life. Go on the adventure of your lifetime. Pick up your camera and go out there with utmost curiosity. The ultimate goal in street photography is to remain curious. Before you go out, ask yourself this very simple question.
What will reality manifest to be in a photograph?