The secret to be a great Street Photographer
As photographers who have some exposure we are interviewed and sometimes they ask you what it takes to be a great street photographer. I am not a great street photographer but I think there is something that is necessary to have if you want to be at least a good street photographer.
It is not about the candid.
It is not about having a super cool camera.
It is not about having a vision.
It is not about the fact you prefer shooting on the street.
It is not about observing some rules.
It is not about what you shoot.
And it is not how you shoot it.
Street Photography skills are a lot and include:
Composition
Emotional aspect
Gestalt Psychology
Intent(ion)
Playing with visual elements
Framing
Eye like a viewfinder
Meaning/Communication
Lateral thinking
Position with respect to the subject
Speed of thought and reaction
Intuition
Preview a scene
Imagination
But there is just one element that is fundamental. And here we go:
That's right: being confident is the basis.
This confidence even allows you to dance and cheer yourself up on the street. I am talking about that self-confidence that allows you to be impervious to the frustration of a failed shot to immediately think about the next scene to photograph. A confidence you have in knowing how to always put your technical and even humanist knowledge at the service of action.
Ours is a type of art that lives on the creation given by the recognition and subsequent action of taking and capturing what is seen and recognized as a photograph. It is not something we can mull over or think about in advance, sculpting the concept. An art that lives in the moment that passes before our eyes without warning.
It is always at the border with the failure. For example the photo above is pretty far to be a great photo, yet it works because of the energy captured. Weather conditions were not the ideal. Very dark and cloudy, with a crappy light. I forced myself to work in 1/125 sec that is not cool at all for my way to work on the street, raising up the camera at the very last moment.
That’s it
Trusting in myself and the Gods of Photography above. To be confident otherwise you you don't even lift the camera.
Stay positive, guys, and go out to make photos.
