Why There’s No Right or Wrong Way to Shoot Street Photography

I am convinced:

There is no right or wrong way to shoot street photography.

It is ‘all good’!

The goal:

Shoot in accordance with your own personal aesthetics and ethics.

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1. How long do you plan to live?

Let us assume we will shoot photos until we die at age 120. Certainly we will evolve, and shoot MANY DIFFERENT STYLES in photography and street photography.

For example, my personal quest is to become the ultimate street photographer of all-time (1000x deeper and more profound than Henri Cartier-Bresson). I am striving to master all aspects of street photography. For example street portraits (color with RICOH GR II x flash).

Also, street portraits in monochrome:

If you live long enough, you will allow MUCH personal evolution to occur in your photography!

Lots of experimentation with different equipment, different processing styles, different focal lengths, and different philosophies.

2. Creative cycling

The goal is perpetual creativity in your photography. To become a perpetual photographer, my suggestion:

Go through certain creative cycles when you pursue certain types and styles of photography, and switch it up once you get bored of it.

For example, travel street photography:

Digital medium format street photography:

3. Spend less time online

My greatest boon:

Spending less time on the internet and seeing how other people shot street photography.

Having this ‘creative isolation‘ was great– it allowed me to re-think street photography from basics. I think it also helped me gain a more personal and genuine view on street photography (with no dogma, rules, or standards).

4. Share your own photos to your own website/blog

The best way to thrive as a street photographer in modern times:

Share your own photos to your own website/blog.

Also:

Pursue your own personal photography projects (to have fun for yourself!)

5. Street photography projects as fun and flexible

Only pursue street photography projects for fun! You can shoot it any way!

For example:

You can shoot with a project in mind, or you can organize your photos into a project after-the-fact.

For example a very basic idea: organize your photos according to location (Tokyo) and aesthetic (color):

6. How to ‘improve’ your street photography

This is more of a philosophical question:

How can I ‘improve’ my street photography?

Generally I find that improving my street photography means:

  1. Being less scared, hesitant when shooting street photography (augmenting my courage). I really think that courage is more important than skill in street photography.
  2. Simpler, more dynamic, more emotional photos.
  3. Having the opportunity to shoot more often (ideally you would shoot street photography all-day, every day!)

For example, I’m currently living in Providence (Rhode Island), and I am still able to shoot street photography (RICOH GR III x iPhone Pro):

The goal:

Perpetually shoot street photography until you die, and keep sharing your photos!

ERIC


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