Street Photography Technique: Overlap

One fun visual pun or joke you can play — overlap the subjects face with something else, to make a surreal street photograph.


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Some example photos:

1. Henri Cartier Bresson // Knot curtain head

Note how the knot of the curtain looks like it is the head of the man:

2. Joel Meyerowitz // Ticket counter lady

3. ERIC KIM // NYC Grand central station

4. ERIC KIM / London suit, red dot

Red dot on the suit in London metro. Cherry on top is the red dot.
Red dot on the suit in London metro. Cherry on top is the red dot.

How to shoot overlap in street photography

Lee friedlander self portrait with trophy replacing his own head. Tallahassee, Florida, 1969
Lee friedlander self portrait with trophy replacing his own head. Tallahassee, Florida, 1969
  1. Replace someone’s face with a circular object (practice doing this on yourself). Replace your own head with an object.
  2. Study humorous self portraits, LEE FRIEDLANDER is one of my favorites.
  3. Take many photos of the scene, to perfect the visual pun, the joke, or the surreal nature of the overlap technique in street photography.
  4. Have fun, make jokes, and don’t take yourself too seriously. Study ELLIOTT ERWITT for inspiration.

ERIC

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