The flaneur — to walk aimlessly, elegantly, slowly, poised — and to photograph anything you find interesting.
Not to worry so much about whether your photos are “ good” or “bad”. To simply enjoy the walk for the sake of it.
To not “force” yourself to shoot— to only shoot when you feel like it!
Beyond street photography
Don’t worry about shooting “good” street photos. Instead, shoot for autotelic (self-motivated) reasons. For example,
- I shoot to analyze people, places, cities, and urban environments.
- I photograph people to get a closer look of them later (why does the person look so interesting or fashionable?)
- To better connect me with a place or city.
Enjoying getting “in the zone” during street photography
For me, I love getting in the “zone” when shooting street. During these moments, I feel beyond myself. My perception of time is altered, I slow down, and find more beauty and visual joy around myself.
Enjoy the walk
Don’t expect to make good photos — enjoy the walk, and just shoot photos whenever you see something interesting.
Travel and shoot ultralight— #ricohmafia status.
Don’t force it
Don’t force yourself to shoot. Only shoot when you have an inner impulse to shoot.
Don’t restrain yourself to public pavement and concrete. Enjoy flaneur-like walks in nature, parks, etc:
Enjoy flaneuring around at exhibitions or museums.
Flaneur lifestyle
To flaneur is a mode of living — a lifestyle and approach:
- Walk for pure enjoyment
- Walking as an existential thing — walking isn’t “exercise”.
- ”Only thoughts conceived while walking have any value.”- Nietzsche
- Walking might be as essential as sleeping or eating (Nassim Taleb)
Never stop walking!
ERIC