Life is short, street photography is long.
1. Street photography is your connection to reality
In SKIN IN THE GAME by Nassim Taleb, he has the analogy of the one Greek god who got his power from being connected to the ground. Once you lifted him off the ground, he lost his power.
Street photography is fascinating, because it connects us to the social world of people.
I find the modern notion of being anti-social strange, as ultimately we all prefer other people. Some people say:
“I hate people”
This isn’t true. The idea is
There are people I hate, but also people I love.
Thus the goal then is spend more time with those whom you love. And to love strangers (xenophila) is a wise goal.
2. Why strangers?
Truth be told in modern day life, we aren’t challenged that much by real fear. Much of our fear is man-made and constructed, mostly fear of upsetting others.
But my big aha moment about street photography:
In street photography, at worst, you’re just mildly annoying someone (YOUTUBE VIDEO).
This is not that big of a deal.
Also
I say, street photography is your best way to be connected to real-life society, through strangers. The more you can photograph strangers, interact with them, and learn to love strangers, the better.
Also:
3. How to never run out of motivation or inspiration in street photography
Perhaps this is where the Russian ‘fatalist’ notion works well, in which we think:
Imagine that you’re currently living the worst-case scenario, and it will never change, but that is still okay!
For example, let us imagine COVID is never going to get better, only gonna get worse. Given that, how can you still thrive as a street photographer?
Or let’s say you can never travel to all the places you’ve wanted to in the past. How can you travel more locally, maybe plan your own street photography road trip, and have an interesting experience and make some interesting photos along the way?
More street photo motivation:
Master Street Photography
Conquer street photography on your own terms at ERIC KIM WORKSHOP >
HAPTIC PHOTO SUPPLY
- Travel Notes Mobile // PRINT
- ERIC KIM NECK STRAP MARK II
- HENRI SHOULDER STRAP
- STREET NOTES MOBILE // Print
BLOG // START HERE
If this inspired you feel free to share or forward to a friend!