{"id":26699,"date":"2016-01-27T15:02:02","date_gmt":"2016-01-27T23:02:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=26699"},"modified":"2022-10-12T23:21:37","modified_gmt":"2022-10-13T03:21:37","slug":"100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/","title":{"rendered":"100 Lessons From the Masters of Street Photography"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dropbox.com\/s\/nv6ljhczg57koyu\/100-Lessons-From-the-Masters-of-Street-Photography.pdf?dl=0\"><strong><em>Dropbox PDF Download &gt;&gt;&gt;<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-file\"><a id=\"wp-block-file--media-cfb39319-ed54-4db1-929a-e60e1c5f5a30\" href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/100-Lessons-From-the-Masters-of-Street-Photography.pdf\">100 Lessons From the Masters of Street Photography<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/100-Lessons-From-the-Masters-of-Street-Photography.pdf\" class=\"wp-block-file__button\" download aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-cfb39319-ed54-4db1-929a-e60e1c5f5a30\">Download<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26701\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/cover-100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Cover-100-Lessons-From-the-Masters-of-Street-Photography.jpg?fit=1128%2C1412&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1128,1412\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Cover &amp;#8211; 100 Lessons From the Masters of Street Photography\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Cover-100-Lessons-From-the-Masters-of-Street-Photography.jpg?fit=1128%2C1412&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-26701\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Cover-100-Lessons-From-the-Masters-of-Street-Photography.jpg?resize=1128%2C1412\" alt=\"Cover - 100 Lessons From the Masters of Street Photography\" width=\"1128\" height=\"1412\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Cover-100-Lessons-From-the-Masters-of-Street-Photography.jpg?w=1128&amp;ssl=1 1128w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Cover-100-Lessons-From-the-Masters-of-Street-Photography.jpg?resize=527%2C660&amp;ssl=1 527w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Cover-100-Lessons-From-the-Masters-of-Street-Photography.jpg?resize=768%2C961&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Dear streettogs, in order to make access to information about street photography more open and easily accessible, I put together my book &#8220;100 Lessons From the Masters of Street Photography&#8221; together in this (epic) blog post. This is a distillation of all the lessons I&#8217;ve learned from <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/learn-from-the-masters\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">the masters of street photography<\/a>. I encourage you to print this out, save to Instapaper or Pocket, and share it with your friends.<\/p>\n<p>Keep this page bookmarked, and whenever you feel uninspired, or want something to read while on the bus or subway, give this a read.<\/p>\n<h2>Free download<\/h2>\n<p>This book is &#8220;<a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/08\/29\/my-vision-of-open-source-photography-volume-2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">open source<\/a>&#8220;, meaning it is free to download, share, remix, and modify to your heart&#8217;s content.<\/p>\n<p><strong>PDF with images (26MB)<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.erickimphotography.com\/Downloads\/Books\/100LessonsFromtheMastersofStreetPhotography\/100%20Lessons%20From%20the%20Masters%20of%20Street%20Photography.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Direct Download<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/open?id=0BxslI7nEWY93Q2lRY2U1ZDU0WXc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Google Drive<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>.ePub (ebook format, 32MB)<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/open?id=0BxslI7nEWY93SEoxN090TWNwZ3c\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Google Drive<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.erickimphotography.com\/Downloads\/Books\/100LessonsFromtheMastersofStreetPhotography\/100%20Lessons%20From%20the%20Masters%20of%20Street%20Photography.epub\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Direct Download<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>.docx<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dropbox.com\/s\/ycwr039wwbhdrpn\/100%20Lessons%20From%20the%20Masters%20of%20Street%20Photography.docx?dl=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dropbox<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1hFZ89leQwcQqIxgG_N2f-fOlRePfHb5E_T16HBwbJzA\/edit?usp=sharing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Google Docs<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/0BxslI7nEWY93WnZKMEJjX0VKbHc\/view?usp=sharing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Google Drive<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.erickimphotography.com\/Downloads\/Books\/100LessonsFromtheMastersofStreetPhotography\/100%20Lessons%20From%20the%20Masters%20of%20Street%20Photography.docx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Direct Download<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>.txt<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.erickimphotography.com\/Downloads\/Books\/100LessonsFromtheMastersofStreetPhotography\/100%20Lessons%20From%20the%20Masters%20of%20Street%20Photography.txt\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Direct Download<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dropbox.com\/s\/qewq4zilhylbuyq\/100%20Lessons%20From%20the%20Masters%20of%20Street%20Photography.txt?dl=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dropbox<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/0BxslI7nEWY93M041VkU1T1VJaXM\/view?usp=sharing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Google Drive<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For a more comprehensive book of the masters, check out the&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/epub-pdf-learn-from-the-masters-of-photography\/\"><strong>ePub\/PDF: Learn From the Masters of Photography<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<hr>\n<h2>Dedication<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26854\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26854\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26854\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/22124497289_2d0fc1842d_o\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/22124497289_2d0fc1842d_o.jpg?fit=3936%2C2608&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3936,2608\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;4.5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;GR&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1438198851&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;1600&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.001&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"22124497289_2d0fc1842d_o\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Marseille, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/22124497289_2d0fc1842d_o.jpg?fit=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26854\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/22124497289_2d0fc1842d_o-2000x1325.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325\" alt=\"Marseille, 2015\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1325\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/22124497289_2d0fc1842d_o.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/22124497289_2d0fc1842d_o.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/22124497289_2d0fc1842d_o.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/22124497289_2d0fc1842d_o.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26854\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Marseille, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>To Cindy,<\/p>\n<p>You never stopped believing in me, and you have helped me fulfill my personal maximum in my life.<\/p>\n<p>I love you now and forever.<\/p>\n<p>Berkeley, Dec 9, 2015.<\/p>\n<h2>Table of contents<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26853\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26853\" style=\"width: 1545px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26853\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/img_1321\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1321.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1545,1024\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"IMG_1321\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Vancouver,  2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1321.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26853\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1321.jpg?resize=1545%2C1024\" alt=\"Vancouver, 2015\" width=\"1545\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1321.jpg?w=1545&amp;ssl=1 1545w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1321.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1321.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26853\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Vancouver, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ol>\n<li>Fulfill your personal maximum<\/li>\n<li>Get closer<\/li>\n<li>Shoot 25% more than you think you should<\/li>\n<li>Shoot from the gut<\/li>\n<li>The \u00e2\u20ac\u0153.7 Meter Challenge\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/li>\n<li>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Marinate\u00e2\u20ac\u009d your photos<\/li>\n<li>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t shoot from the hip<\/li>\n<li>Influence the scene<\/li>\n<li>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t crop<\/li>\n<li>Focus on the edges<\/li>\n<li>Emotionally detach yourself from your photos<\/li>\n<li>Create context in your frame<\/li>\n<li>Provoke your subjects<\/li>\n<li>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Can you do that again for me?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/li>\n<li>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be a slave to your camera<\/li>\n<li>Cure yourself of \u00e2\u20ac\u0153G.A.S.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/li>\n<li>Embrace \u00e2\u20ac\u0153beginner\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s mind\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/li>\n<li>Shoot how you feel<\/li>\n<li>Limitations are freedom<\/li>\n<li>Document your own life<\/li>\n<li>Shoot with a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153stream-of-consciousness\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/li>\n<li>Shoot what it feels like<\/li>\n<li>Embrace failure<\/li>\n<li>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be afraid to click the shutter<\/li>\n<li>Add \u00e2\u20ac\u0153something more\u00e2\u20ac\u009d to the frame<\/li>\n<li>Master your body language<\/li>\n<li>Tell convincing lies<\/li>\n<li>Kill your master<\/li>\n<li>Contradict a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153rule\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/li>\n<li>Follow your curiosity<\/li>\n<li>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t explain your photos<\/li>\n<li>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Open\u00e2\u20ac\u009d vs \u00e2\u20ac\u0153closed\u00e2\u20ac\u009d photos<\/li>\n<li>Kill your ego<\/li>\n<li>Shoot what you love<\/li>\n<li>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t hesitate<\/li>\n<li>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t try to be someone else<\/li>\n<li>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t repeat yourself<\/li>\n<li>Ask for permission<\/li>\n<li>Try to get rejected<\/li>\n<li>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t stop your projects too soon<\/li>\n<li>Take shitty photos<\/li>\n<li>Chase the light<\/li>\n<li>Channel your personal emotions<\/li>\n<li>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153All photographs are accurate, none of them is truth\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/li>\n<li>Disturb your viewer<\/li>\n<li>Disregard technical settings<\/li>\n<li>Embrace \u00e2\u20ac\u0153P\u00e2\u20ac\u009d mode<\/li>\n<li>Enjoy the process<\/li>\n<li>Single photos can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t tell stories<\/li>\n<li>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t worry about marketing your work<\/li>\n<li>Subtract from the frame<\/li>\n<li>Make yourself vulnerable<\/li>\n<li>Forever be an \u00e2\u20ac\u0153amateur\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/li>\n<li>Stay hungry, stay foolish<\/li>\n<li>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t force it<\/li>\n<li>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t take easy photos<\/li>\n<li>Shoot what you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re afraid of<\/li>\n<li>Print your photos<\/li>\n<li>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be \u00e2\u20ac\u0153suckered by the exotic\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/li>\n<li>Shoot in boring places<\/li>\n<li>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t take bad photos<\/li>\n<li>Make specific photos<\/li>\n<li>Compose intuitively<\/li>\n<li>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153project\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/li>\n<li>Improve 1% everyday<\/li>\n<li>Take 1 photo everyday<\/li>\n<li>Make something extraordinary from the ordinary<\/li>\n<li>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t see your photos as \u00e2\u20ac\u0153art\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/li>\n<li>Constantly question yourself<\/li>\n<li>Feel emotions in color<\/li>\n<li>Never leave home without your camera<\/li>\n<li>Make a book<\/li>\n<li>Juxtapose<\/li>\n<li>Pave your own path<\/li>\n<li>What do you want from your photography?<\/li>\n<li>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t constantly switch your equipment<\/li>\n<li>Learn where to stand<\/li>\n<li>Expect to be disappointed<\/li>\n<li>More megapixels, more problems<\/li>\n<li>Experiment with film<\/li>\n<li>Kill your babies<\/li>\n<li>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t look at your photos immediately<\/li>\n<li>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t shoot for others<\/li>\n<li>Photograph your own backyard<\/li>\n<li>Make images that stand on their own<\/li>\n<li>What counts is the result<\/li>\n<li>Abstract reality<\/li>\n<li>Capture your own personal \u00e2\u20ac\u0153decisive moments\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/li>\n<li>Rules will set you free<\/li>\n<li>Experiment<\/li>\n<li>Fuck fame<\/li>\n<li>Think long-term<\/li>\n<li>Create a relationship with your subjects<\/li>\n<li>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t bore your viewer<\/li>\n<li>Embrace your day job<\/li>\n<li>Count your blessings<\/li>\n<li>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t become married to your beliefs<\/li>\n<li>You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re only as good as your last photo<\/li>\n<li>Unlearn<\/li>\n<li>You have no limits<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2>1. Fulfill your personal maximum<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26703\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26703\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26703\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/marseille-france_8465559399_o-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/marseille-france_8465559399_o.jpg?fit=3087%2C2048&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3087,2048\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"marseille-france_8465559399_o\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Marseille, 2013 #portra400&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/marseille-france_8465559399_o.jpg?fit=2000%2C1327&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26703\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/marseille-france_8465559399_o-2000x1327.jpg?resize=2000%2C1327\" alt=\"Marseille, 2013\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1327\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/marseille-france_8465559399_o.jpg?resize=2000%2C1327&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/marseille-france_8465559399_o.jpg?resize=660%2C438&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/marseille-france_8465559399_o.jpg?resize=768%2C510&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/marseille-france_8465559399_o.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26703\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Marseille, 2013<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;What has interested me in taking photographs is the maximum \u00e2\u20ac\u201d the maximum that exists in a situation and the maximum I can produce from it.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/03\/10-lessons-josef-koudelka-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Josef Koudelka<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>For the last ten years, I have tried to seek my own personal voice, style, and path in photography. This journey has led me through life in so many incredible ways. I have learned so many valuable lessons in photography (and life) which has transformed me as a human being.<\/p>\n<p>My particular interest has been in street photography; capturing moments of everyday life in public settings. I have always been drawn to my fellow human beings, and street photography has helped me become a more empathetic human being.<\/p>\n<p>Ultimately, photography is photography. I used to feel that I should only shoot &#8220;street photography,&#8221; but I have discovered in my path that it doesn&#8217;t matter what you shoot. What matters is how shooting makes you feel. What matters is whether photography pushes you outside of your comfort zone, and whether you are able to achieve your personal maximum.<\/p>\n<p>I feel the purpose of my life is to produce knowledge, and to distill information and lessons I&#8217;ve learned about photography to the masses. I am certainly not a &#8220;master&#8221; myself; just a humble student dedicated to a life-long pursuit of learning. Everything I share in this book is a distillation of the lessons I&#8217;ve learned from the masters of photography.<\/p>\n<p>Don&#8217;t take everything in this book as &#8220;truth.&#8221; Rather, see the masters of photography as your personal guides. Take these lessons with a pinch of salt; pick and choose which lessons resonate with you, and throw away the rest.<\/p>\n<p>Ultimately to find your own personal vision and style in photography, you just need to know yourself as a human being. &#8220;Know thyself&#8221; is the greatest wisdom given to us by the ancient philosophers.<\/p>\n<p>Find yourself through the book, and discover the photographer you are.<\/p>\n<p>Love, Eric<\/p>\n<p><em>Blue Bottle on Broadway, Oakland, Tuesday 3:46pm, Nov 10, 2015<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>2. Get Closer<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26705\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26705\" style=\"width: 1325px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26705\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/r0131772-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0131772.jpg?fit=3264%2C4928&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3264,4928\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;7.1&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;GR&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1428877607&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;400&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0005&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"R0131772\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;NYC, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0131772.jpg?fit=1325%2C2000&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26705\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0131772-1325x2000.jpg?resize=1325%2C2000\" alt=\"NYC, 2015\" width=\"1325\" height=\"2000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0131772.jpg?resize=1325%2C2000&amp;ssl=1 1325w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0131772.jpg?resize=437%2C660&amp;ssl=1 437w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0131772.jpg?resize=768%2C1160&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0131772.jpg?w=2000&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0131772.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26705\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">NYC, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153If your photographs aren&#8217;t good enough, you&#8217;re not close enough.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/05\/30\/8-lessons-robert-capa-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Robert Capa<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>One of the common mistakes that many beginning street photographers make is this: they don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t get close enough.<\/p>\n<p>We have many fears and provide a lot of excuses for not getting close enough in our street photography. We are worried about pissing people off, we are worried about making other people feel uncomfortable, and we are worried that strangers might call the cops on us (or even worse, physically assault us).<\/p>\n<p>Realize that this is all in your head. By getting closer to a stranger, you won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t die. In-fact, I have learned that in photography (and life), with physical proximity comes emotional proximity.<\/p>\n<p>It isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t enough to use a telephoto or zoom lens to get \u00e2\u20ac\u0153close\u00e2\u20ac\u009d to your subject. By using a telephoto lens, you compress your image, and visually your photo feels less intimate. It feels like you are more of a voyeur looking in; rather than you being an active participant of the scene.<\/p>\n<p>In street photography I generally recommend using a 35mm lens (full-frame equivalent) for most photographers (<a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/04\/10-things-alex-webb-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Alex Webb<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/09\/22\/20-lessons-constantine-manos-taught-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Constantine Manos<\/a>, and <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/08\/27\/10-things-anders-petersen-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Anders Petersen<\/a> shoot with this focal length). The human eye sees the world in around a 40mm field-of-view, and I find that shooting with a 35mm lens gives you enough wiggle-room around the edges of the frame.<\/p>\n<p>A 50mm is fine too (<a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/12\/09\/17-lessons-henri-cartier-bresson-taught-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Henri Cartier-Bresson<\/a> was famous for using it for nearly his entire life), but in today\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s crowded world, I find it to be a bit too tight. A 28mm is fantastic too (<a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/03\/10-lessons-william-klein-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">William Klein<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/08\/24\/5-lessons-bruce-gilden-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bruce Gilden<\/a>, and <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/08\/10-things-garry-winogrand-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Garry Winogrand<\/a> have used this focal length), but realize that you have to be close enough with this lens to fill the frame.<\/p>\n<p>As a rule-of-thumb, I try to shoot with a 35mm at least two-arm-lengths away (or closer). 2 arm-lengths is 1.2 meters (around 4 feet). Therefore I always have my camera pre-focused to 1.2 meters, set at f\/8, ISO 1600, and I simply go out to find moments to shoot.<\/p>\n<h2>3. Shoot 25% more than you think you should<\/h2>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26706\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/laughin-lady-contact-copy\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/laughin-lady-contact-copy.jpg?fit=1270%2C656&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1270,656\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"laughin-lady-contact copy\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/laughin-lady-contact-copy.jpg?fit=1270%2C656&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-26706\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/laughin-lady-contact-copy.jpg?resize=1270%2C656\" alt=\"laughin-lady-contact copy\" width=\"1270\" height=\"656\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/laughin-lady-contact-copy.jpg?w=1270&amp;ssl=1 1270w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/laughin-lady-contact-copy.jpg?resize=660%2C341&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/laughin-lady-contact-copy.jpg?resize=768%2C397&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>If you see an amazing character once in your life, realize that you will never see them ever again. So live life without regrets and make the photograph.<\/p>\n<p>For this photo, I saw this amazing woman in the streets of NYC and said to her, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh my God miss, you are the most incredible-looking woman I have seen all day. Do you mind if I made a few photographs of you?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She was quite humbled and said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Of course!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n<p>I got very close with her with a <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/10\/20\/review-of-the-ricoh-gr-ii-for-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ricoh GR digital camera<\/a>, and shot on 28mm with the Macro mode in \u00e2\u20ac\u0153P\u00e2\u20ac\u009d (program) mode with ISO 400. To fill the frame with her face, I shot this photograph at around .3 meters (about 1 foot away). I took many photographs, shooting some with flash, some without. I asked her to look up, and to look down at me.<\/p>\n<p>On the 19th frame, she started bursting out laughing and said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re taking so many photos, you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re crazy!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d and started laughing. On that frame, I captured the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153decisive moment.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d&nbsp;After capturing the moment, I still wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t 100% sure whether I got an interesting photograph or not, so I kept clicking, around 10 more frames.<\/p>\n<p>As a general rule-of-thumb, when I think I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve got the photograph, I try to take 25% more photographs (because you never know if you might catch an even more interesting photograph after-the-fact).<\/p>\n<p>Later she told me she was 82 years old. The reason the photograph is meaningful to me is because there are too many photos of death, destruction, and misery in the world.<\/p>\n<p>It is one of the very few \u00e2\u20ac\u0153happy\u00e2\u20ac\u009d photos I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve shot. Inspired by this image, I hope to make more photographs like this to spread positivity and love in the world.<\/p>\n<h2>4. Shoot from the gut<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26707\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26707\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26707\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/img_1136-4\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1136-e1453764978718.jpg?fit=1024%2C1545&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1024,1545\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;8&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"IMG_1136\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Paris, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1136-e1453764978718.jpg?fit=1024%2C1545&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"wp-image-26707 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1136-e1453764978718.jpg?resize=1024%2C1545\" alt=\"Paris, 2015\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1545\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1136-e1453764978718.jpg?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1136-e1453764978718.jpg?resize=437%2C660&amp;ssl=1 437w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1136-e1453764978718.jpg?resize=768%2C1159&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26707\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Paris, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153My photography is not \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcbrain photography\u00e2\u20ac\u2122. I put my brain under the pillow when I shoot. I shoot with my heart and with my stomach.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/08\/27\/10-things-anders-petersen-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Anders Petersen<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/08\/27\/10-things-anders-petersen-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Anders Petersen<\/a><\/strong> is one of the most influential contemporary master photographers. He shoots with a simple point-and-shoot film camera (Contax T3) and shoots soulful black and white images which he refers to as \u00e2\u20ac\u0153personal documentary.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He makes himself and the people he meets as his main subjects, and he shoots from the heart.<\/p>\n<p>A photograph without emotion is dead. The problem that a lot of photographers make is that they try to become too analytical with their photography. They are too preoccupied with composition, framing, form, nice light, and they forget the most important thing of making a memorable image: creating an image that has heart, soul, and passion.<\/p>\n<p>When you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re out shooting, try not too be too analytical. Shoot from your intuition and your guts. If you find anything even remotely interesting, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t self-censor yourself.<\/p>\n<p>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t let your brain tell you: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t take that shot, it is boring, and nobody will find it interesting.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Take the photograph anyways, because you can always edit it out (remove it) later.<\/p>\n<p>But when is it time to become analytical?<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It is more after when I am shooting when I am looking at my contact sheets, and then I try to analyze and put things together.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/08\/27\/10-things-anders-petersen-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Anders Petersen<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Shoot from your gut when you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re out on the streets, but use your brain when you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re at home and editing (selecting) your shots. Analyze your images after-the-fact as a post-mortem, and learn how to \u00e2\u20ac\u0153kill your babies\u00e2\u20ac\u009d (weak photos that you are emotionally attached to, but you know aren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t great photos).<\/p>\n<p>Separate the shooting and editing sides of your photography. They use different parts of your brains, and if you try to do both of them at the same time, you will fail.<\/p>\n<p>As a practical tip, turn off your LCD screen when shooting, and refrain from looking at your images immediately after you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve shot them (they call this \u00e2\u20ac\u0153<a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2011\/10\/24\/10-reasons-why-you-should-never-chimp-while-shooting-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">chimping<\/a>\u00e2\u20ac\u009d). Why? It kills your shooting \u00e2\u20ac\u0153flow.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n<p>Furthermore, let your shots \u00e2\u20ac\u0153<a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/06\/07\/the-importance-of-letting-your-photos-marinate\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">marinate<\/a>\u00e2\u20ac\u009d by not looking at them until a week after you have made your images.<\/p>\n<h2>5. The \u00e2\u20ac\u0153.7 Meter Challenge\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26713\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26713\" style=\"width: 1325px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26713\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/r0131169-1\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0131169-1.jpg?fit=2000%2C3020&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2000,3020\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;11&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;GR&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1426141678&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;800&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.025&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"R0131169-1\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;SF, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0131169-1.jpg?fit=1325%2C2000&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26713\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0131169-1-1325x2000.jpg?resize=1325%2C2000\" alt=\"SF, 2015\" width=\"1325\" height=\"2000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0131169-1.jpg?resize=1325%2C2000&amp;ssl=1 1325w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0131169-1.jpg?resize=437%2C660&amp;ssl=1 437w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0131169-1.jpg?resize=768%2C1160&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0131169-1.jpg?w=2000&amp;ssl=1 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26713\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">SF, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>To truly get comfortable getting closer to your subjects, try this assignment from my friend <a href=\"http:\/\/satoki.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Satoki Nagata<\/a>: For an entire month, only take photos of your subjects from <strong>.7 meters (1-arm-length)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>For this assignment, switch your camera to manual-focusing mode, and tape the focusing mechanism of your lens to that distance.<\/p>\n<p>By setting yourself this \u00e2\u20ac\u0153<a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/08\/06\/the-beauty-of-creative-constraints-in-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">creative constraint<\/a>,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d you will learn how to better engage your subjects and get them comfortable with you shooting at such a close distance.<\/p>\n<p>Start off by asking for permission, then once you feel more courageous, start shooting candidly.<\/p>\n<h2>6. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Marinate\u00e2\u20ac\u009d your photos<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26714\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26714\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26714\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/88920014-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/88920014.jpg?fit=3087%2C2048&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3087,2048\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;QSS-29_31&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"88920014\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/88920014.jpg?fit=2000%2C1327&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26714\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/88920014-2000x1327.jpg?resize=2000%2C1327\" alt=\"London, 2014\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1327\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/88920014.jpg?resize=2000%2C1327&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/88920014.jpg?resize=660%2C438&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/88920014.jpg?resize=768%2C510&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/88920014.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26714\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">London, 2014<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>I shoot both film and digital, but one of the biggest advantages of shooting film is that you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re forced not to look at your photos immediately after you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve shot it.<\/p>\n<p>With film, I generally don&#8217;t get my film processed until 6 months-1 year after I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve shot it. This helps me truly help disconnect myself emotionally from my shots, which allows me to look at my photos more objectively.<\/p>\n<p>With digital I find it a lot harder to let my shots \u00e2\u20ac\u0153<strong><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/06\/07\/the-importance-of-letting-your-photos-marinate\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">marinate<\/a><\/strong>,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d as I am prone to \u00e2\u20ac\u0153<strong><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2011\/10\/24\/10-reasons-why-you-should-never-chimp-while-shooting-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">chimping<\/a><\/strong>\u00e2\u20ac\u009d (looking at your LCD screen immediately after you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve taken photographs).<\/p>\n<p>For this photograph, I saw this woman juxtaposed against this billboard behind her in London. I got close to her, and took two photos: both with a flash. One of them she was looking away, and one she was looking directly at me.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26715\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26715\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26715\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/attachment\/88920015\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/88920015.jpg?fit=3087%2C2048&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3087,2048\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;QSS-29_31&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"London, 2014. The second photo. I pretended like I was shooting the sign behind her.\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;London, 2014. The second photo. I pretended like I was shooting the sign behind her. &lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/88920015.jpg?fit=2000%2C1327&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26715\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/88920015-2000x1327.jpg?resize=2000%2C1327\" alt=\"London, 2014\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1327\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/88920015.jpg?resize=2000%2C1327&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/88920015.jpg?resize=660%2C438&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/88920015.jpg?resize=768%2C510&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/88920015.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26715\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">London, 2014<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>At first I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think that it was an interesting shot, but then I let the shot \u00e2\u20ac\u0153<a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/06\/07\/the-importance-of-letting-your-photos-marinate\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">marinate<\/a>\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d and the longer I sat on the image, the more I ended up liking it. I also ended up showing the photograph to a couple of my close friends, who all agreed that it was a strong image. For some shots, the longer you let your shots \u00e2\u20ac\u0153marinate,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d the more you like them.<\/p>\n<p>For others, the longer you let your shots \u00e2\u20ac\u0153<a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/06\/07\/the-importance-of-letting-your-photos-marinate\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">marinate<\/a>,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d the less you like them. Imagine oil and water in a bottle. You shake the bottle hard, and they are both mixed.<\/p>\n<p>The longer you wait, the oil will soon rise to the top (your good photos), while the water will sink to the bottom (your weak photos).<\/p>\n<h2>7. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t shoot from the hip<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26716\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26716\" style=\"width: 1325px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26716\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/r0152297-1\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0152297-1.jpg?fit=2000%2C3020&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2000,3020\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;7.1&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;GR II&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1445089682&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;400&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0003125&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"R0152297-1\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;New Orleans, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0152297-1.jpg?fit=1325%2C2000&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26716\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0152297-1-1325x2000.jpg?resize=1325%2C2000\" alt=\"New Orleans, 2015\" width=\"1325\" height=\"2000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0152297-1.jpg?resize=1325%2C2000&amp;ssl=1 1325w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0152297-1.jpg?resize=437%2C660&amp;ssl=1 437w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0152297-1.jpg?resize=768%2C1160&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0152297-1.jpg?w=2000&amp;ssl=1 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26716\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">New Orleans, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I never shoot without using the viewfinder.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/08\/10-things-garry-winogrand-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Garry Winogrand<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Another common mistake that aspiring street photographers make is that they try to overcome their fear of shooting street photography by shooting from the hip (photographing with your camera at waist-level and not looking through the viewfinder).<\/p>\n<p>Personally when I started shooting street photography, I was dependent on \u00e2\u20ac\u0153shooting from the hip\u00e2\u20ac\u009d (2010). I was too scared to bring my camera\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s viewfinder up to my eye, because I was afraid of getting \u00e2\u20ac\u0153caught\u00e2\u20ac\u009d of taking candid photos of strangers.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/08\/10-things-garry-winogrand-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Garry Winogrand<\/a><\/strong> was one of the most prolific street photographers in history. He shot with a Leica M4, 28mm lens, and was known for creating layered, edgy, and head-on shots. If you go on YouTube, you can see how close he is to his subjects when shooting, and he always quickly looks through his viewfinder while shooting. This allowed him to frame properly, and capture the moments he found interesting.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153[Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t shoot from the hip], you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll lose control over your framing.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/08\/10-things-garry-winogrand-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Garry Winogrand<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>In my experience, I found that shooting from the hip was a huge crutch. The more I shot from the hip, the less confident I was as a street photographer. Not only that, but as <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/08\/10-things-garry-winogrand-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Garry Winogrand<\/a> said, I lost control over my framing. My shots would be poorly framed, skewed, and any shot that I got that looked half-decent was because of luck.<\/p>\n<p>As a street photographer, you aren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t doing anything wrong. You are trying to make images that people can empathize with. If it weren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t for street photographers, historians would have no idea what people did in public spaces in the past. All of the iconic street photography done by <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/12\/09\/17-lessons-henri-cartier-bresson-taught-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Henri Cartier-Bresson<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/06\/06\/7-lessons-helen-levitt-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Helen Levitt<\/a>, and <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/04\/14\/5-lessons-vivian-maier-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Vivian Maier<\/a> wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t exist.<\/p>\n<p>Be confident. Have faith in yourself. By not shooting from the hip, you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re signaling to the world that you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re not doing anything wrong. Also by using your viewfinder (or LCD screen), you can have better control over your framing and composition.<\/p>\n<p>What do you do when you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re shooting street photography and you get \u00e2\u20ac\u0153caught in the act?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n<p>My suggestion: Look at your subject, smile, say \u00e2\u20ac\u0153thank you\u00e2\u20ac\u009d and move on.<\/p>\n<h2>8. Influence the scene<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26718\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26718\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26718\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/01-12\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/01.jpg?fit=4368%2C2912&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"4368,2912\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;16&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS 5D&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1312045078&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;24&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;400&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.01&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"01\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Hollywood, 2011&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/01.jpg?fit=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26718\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/01-2000x1333.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333\" alt=\"Hollywood, 2011\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/01.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/01.jpg?resize=660%2C440&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/01.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/01.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26718\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Hollywood, 2011<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Sometimes it is good to have your subjects notice that you are about to take a photograph of them.<\/p>\n<p>For example in this photo I shot in Hollywood, I saw this hip older lady with these great sunglasses and hat. I crouched down, and took a photograph with my Canon 5D and 24mm lens. The second I was about to take a photograph of her, she looked at me and posed with her hands (giving me the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153jazz hands\u00e2\u20ac\u009d).<\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26721\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/jazz-hands-action-shot-both\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/jazz-hands-action-shot-both.jpg?fit=1741%2C1500&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1741,1500\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"jazz hands- action shot- both\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/jazz-hands-action-shot-both.jpg?fit=1741%2C1500&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-26721\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/jazz-hands-action-shot-both.jpg?resize=1741%2C1500\" alt=\"jazz hands- action shot- both\" width=\"1741\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/jazz-hands-action-shot-both.jpg?w=1741&amp;ssl=1 1741w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/jazz-hands-action-shot-both.jpg?resize=660%2C569&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/jazz-hands-action-shot-both.jpg?resize=768%2C662&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>If I shot from the hip, she might have not noticed me. Therefore she would have never posed for me, and this photo wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t exist.<\/p>\n<p>But does that ruin the photograph, the fact that your subject noticed you? Absolutely not. <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/03\/10-lessons-william-klein-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">William Klein<\/a><\/strong> famously engaged with his subjects a lot when he shot street photography, and his presence made his photographs more vibrant, dynamic, and edgy.<\/p>\n<h2>9. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t crop<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26722\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26722\" style=\"width: 1325px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26722\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/r0152043-3\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0152043.jpg?fit=3264%2C4928&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3264,4928\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;7.1&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;GR II&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1444922689&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;400&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.00033333333333333&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"R0152043\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;New Orleans, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0152043.jpg?fit=1325%2C2000&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26722\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0152043-1325x2000.jpg?resize=1325%2C2000\" alt=\"New Orleans, 2015\" width=\"1325\" height=\"2000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0152043.jpg?resize=1325%2C2000&amp;ssl=1 1325w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0152043.jpg?resize=437%2C660&amp;ssl=1 437w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0152043.jpg?resize=768%2C1160&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0152043.jpg?w=2000&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0152043.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26722\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">New Orleans, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153If you start cutting or cropping a good photograph, it means death to the geometrically correct interplay of proportions. Besides, it very rarely happens that a photograph which was feebly composed can be saved by reconstruction of its composition under the darkroom\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s enlarger; the integrity of vision is no longer there.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/12\/09\/17-lessons-henri-cartier-bresson-taught-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Henri Cartier-Bresson<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>A common mistake many photographers make is that they over-crop their images. They are \u00e2\u20ac\u0153crop-a-holics,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in which they crop every single photograph they take (even when unnecessary). I am also a recovering \u00e2\u20ac\u0153crop-a-holic.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I would unnecessarily over-crop my shots (even when the edges would be interesting).<\/p>\n<p>Another downside to being a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153crop-a-holic\u00e2\u20ac\u009d: I would be lazy when shooting street photography. I shot really far away from my subjects, thinking that I could just crop and zoom in to my subjects, instead of moving physically closer to my subjects.<\/p>\n<p>I would always tell myself in the back of my head, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Eh, if I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t get the shot right, I can always crop it later.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d This made me lazy, and prevented me from improving my composition and framing.<\/p>\n<p>When I first learned that <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/12\/09\/17-lessons-henri-cartier-bresson-taught-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Henri Cartier-Bresson<\/a><\/strong> (the Godfather of street photography and the master of composition) didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t crop his images (and forbade his students to do so), I decided to also try the assignment for myself.<\/p>\n<p>In the beginning, it was difficult not to crop my shots. Also by not cropping my shots, I realized how sloppy I was when I framed my images. Therefore by imposing this rule of not cropping on myself, I began to focus on \u00e2\u20ac\u0153filling the frame\u00e2\u20ac\u009d and creating better edges in my shots, which improved my composition dramatically.<\/p>\n<p>I am not saying that you should never crop your photographs. There are a lot of master street photographers who heavily cropped their photographs (<strong><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/01\/timeless-lessons-street-photographers-can-learn-from-robert-franks-the-americans\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Robert Frank<\/a><\/strong> did some radical cropping for his seminal book: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153<a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/3865218067\/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=3865218067&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=erikimstrpho-20&amp;linkId=IYUA545TLC3SKJV2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The Americans<\/a>,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d even turning some landscape shots into portrait shots with cropping).<\/p>\n<p>If you want to improve your composition: go an entire year without cropping. I can guarantee you that a year later, your composition will improve dramatically. And if in the future you do decide to start cropping again, always do it in moderation (I recommend cropping less than 10% of a frame).<\/p>\n<p>When you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re shooting in the streets, avoid \u00e2\u20ac\u0153tunnel-vision\u00e2\u20ac\u009d (only looking in the center of the frame). Focus on the edges of the frame and particularly the background to improve your composition.<\/p>\n<h2>10. Focus on the edges<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26723\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26723\" style=\"width: 1325px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26723\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/aix-en-provence-r0134546\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Aix-en-Provence-R0134546.jpg?fit=2608%2C3936&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2608,3936\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;4.5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;GR&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1435614844&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;1600&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0008&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Aix en Provence &amp;#8211; R0134546\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Aix-en-Provence, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Aix-en-Provence-R0134546.jpg?fit=1325%2C2000&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26723\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Aix-en-Provence-R0134546-1325x2000.jpg?resize=1325%2C2000\" alt=\"Aix-en-Provence, 2015\" width=\"1325\" height=\"2000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Aix-en-Provence-R0134546.jpg?resize=1325%2C2000&amp;ssl=1 1325w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Aix-en-Provence-R0134546.jpg?resize=437%2C660&amp;ssl=1 437w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Aix-en-Provence-R0134546.jpg?resize=768%2C1159&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Aix-en-Provence-R0134546.jpg?w=2000&amp;ssl=1 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26723\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Aix-en-Provence, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>If you want better composition and framing in your photography, focus on the edges. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t worry about the subject in the center of the frame, if you focus on the edges what is in the center of the frame generally takes care of itself.<\/p>\n<p>In Aix-en-Provence, I saw a woman drinking some wine the table across from me. I saw this epic silhouette of her and her wine glass, so I went up to her and asked if I could take some photos of her shadow. She reluctantly agreed.<\/p>\n<p>I ended up shooting many different photos of the scene, focusing on the edges of the frame while I was composing this image. I wanted to get the silhouette of her face, the silhouette of the wine glass, and also of the water carafe in the bottom-left of the frame.<\/p>\n<p>Focus on the edges, and your composition will fall into place.<\/p>\n<h2>11. Emotionally detach yourself from your photos<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26724\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26724\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26724\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/amsterdam_21966231822_o\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/amsterdam_21966231822_o.jpg?fit=3936%2C2608&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3936,2608\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;4&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;GR&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1436634168&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;1600&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.002&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"amsterdam_21966231822_o\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Amsterdam, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/amsterdam_21966231822_o.jpg?fit=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26724\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/amsterdam_21966231822_o-2000x1325.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325\" alt=\"Amsterdam, 2015\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1325\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/amsterdam_21966231822_o.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/amsterdam_21966231822_o.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/amsterdam_21966231822_o.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/amsterdam_21966231822_o.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26724\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Amsterdam, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sometimes photographers mistake emotion for what makes a great street photograph.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/08\/10-things-garry-winogrand-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Garry Winogrand<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Imagine this situation: it is a cold and rainy day. You are out shooting on the streets, and you are feeling miserable. You are about to give up and go home when you see a little girl with a red umbrella about to jump over a puddle.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_21832\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21832\" style=\"width: 481px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"21832\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/12\/09\/17-lessons-henri-cartier-bresson-taught-street-photography\/par43607\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/PAR43607.jpg?fit=481%2C704&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"481,704\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"PAR43607\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;The cropped version&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/PAR43607.jpg?fit=481%2C704&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"wp-image-21832 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/PAR43607.jpg?resize=481%2C704\" alt=\"The cropped version\" width=\"481\" height=\"704\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/PAR43607.jpg?w=481&amp;ssl=1 481w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/PAR43607.jpg?resize=450%2C660&amp;ssl=1 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 481px) 100vw, 481px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-21832\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Copyright Henri Cartier Bresson \/ Magnum Photos<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>You think of the famous photograph of <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/12\/09\/17-lessons-henri-cartier-bresson-taught-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Henri Cartier-Bresson<\/a><\/strong> (man jumping over puddle), and get excited. The girl jumps, and you click. You just captured the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153decisive moment.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n<p>You rush home, quickly download your photos to your computer, post-process the photo, and then upload the photograph online. You cross your arms, and think that it is one of the finest photographs you have ever taken. You are excited that perhaps, finally, you will get over 100+ favorites\/likes on this image.<\/p>\n<p>A day or so passes, and you only got 10-15 favorites\/likes. You throw up your hands in rage and think to yourself: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153These people on the internet wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know a great image if it hit them in the face!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d You then continue about your day.<\/p>\n<p>A week or two go by, and you revisit the image. You then look at the image and tell yourself: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hmmm, this image isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t quite as good as I remembered it.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n<p>What just happened? You became emotionally attached to the backstory of how difficult it was to get that image (and the emotion you felt of being excited). This confused you into thinking that this was actually an \u00e2\u20ac\u0153objectively\u00e2\u20ac\u009d good shot.<\/p>\n<p>This happens to the best of us. We get too emotionally attached to our shots, because we were there. We experienced it. It feels alive and vivid inside our memories.<\/p>\n<p>The problem is that our viewers have no idea what the backstory of the image is (unless you write a long caption, which I generally advise against).<\/p>\n<p>What is the solution? Emotionally detach yourself from your photos. When editing (selecting) which images to \u00e2\u20ac\u0153keep\u00e2\u20ac\u009d and \u00e2\u20ac\u0153ditch,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d ask your peers to be \u00e2\u20ac\u0153brutally honest\u00e2\u20ac\u009d with your work.<\/p>\n<h2>12. Create context in your frame<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26725\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26725\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26725\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/americans-33-4\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-33.jpg?fit=3087%2C2048&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3087,2048\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Americans-33\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;San Diego, 2014&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-33.jpg?fit=2000%2C1327&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26725\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-33-2000x1327.jpg?resize=2000%2C1327\" alt=\"San Diego, 2014\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1327\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-33.jpg?resize=2000%2C1327&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-33.jpg?resize=660%2C438&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-33.jpg?resize=768%2C510&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-33.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26725\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">San Diego, 2014<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In photography, the entire story of the image must exist inside the frame. If you want to tell a better story, include context in your photos.<\/p>\n<p>I have this vivid story in my head of how I got the image: I saw this well-dressed man in a hotel lobby, and asked if I could make a few photos. He said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153No problem,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d and I took seven photos. Afterwards, I asked him what he did. He told me, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I own this hotel!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n<p>Now I have this vivid backstory, but the viewer has no idea about that story or information in this photograph.<\/p>\n<p>Viewers find this photograph interesting because the outfit of the man looks like he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s from the 1950s \u00e2\u20ac\u201d a relic of the past. The viewer then makes up their own story about the man, based on the films they have seen in the past.<\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26726\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/0-contact-suit\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/0-contact-suit.jpg?fit=2522%2C1274&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2522,1274\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"0-contact-suit\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/0-contact-suit.jpg?fit=2000%2C1010&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-26726\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/0-contact-suit-2000x1010.jpg?resize=2000%2C1010\" alt=\"0-contact-suit\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1010\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/0-contact-suit.jpg?resize=2000%2C1010&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/0-contact-suit.jpg?resize=660%2C333&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/0-contact-suit.jpg?resize=768%2C388&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>If you have a photograph which is weak without having a compelling story, ditch the shot. When you have to \u00e2\u20ac\u0153explain\u00e2\u20ac\u009d the back-story of a street photograph, it is like explaining a joke. Funny jokes don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t need to be \u00e2\u20ac\u0153explained.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n<h2>13. Provoke your subjects<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26727\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26727\" style=\"width: 1545px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26727\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/img_0953\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_0953.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1545,1024\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"IMG_0953\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Stockholm, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_0953.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26727\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_0953.jpg?resize=1545%2C1024\" alt=\"Stockholm, 2015\" width=\"1545\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_0953.jpg?w=1545&amp;ssl=1 1545w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_0953.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_0953.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26727\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Stockholm, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Rather than catching people unaware, they show the face they want to show. Unposed, caught unaware, they might reveal ambiguous expressions, brows creased in vague internal contemplation, illegible, perhaps meaningless. Why not allow the subject the possibility of revealing his attitude toward life, his neighbor, even the photographer?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/03\/10-lessons-william-klein-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">William Klein<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>There is a general scorn in street photography against \u00e2\u20ac\u0153posed\u00e2\u20ac\u009d photos (or photos that aren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t shot candidly). A lot of people follow the Henri Cartier-Bresson school of street photography in which the photographer shouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t interact with his\/her subjects, and to be an unattached observer.<\/p>\n<p>However there is more than one approach to street photography. One street photographer who interacted with his subjects is <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/03\/10-lessons-william-klein-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">William Klein<\/a><\/strong>; a street photographer who gave a middle-finger to all of the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153rules\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in photography. Klein provoked his subjects, and interact with them.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26729\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26729\" style=\"width: 1477px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26729\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/pf111046_vert-646acc53d54f3934e3dd98584ef2228f1134a5c7\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/pf111046_vert-646acc53d54f3934e3dd98584ef2228f1134a5c7.jpg?fit=%2C&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"[]\" data-image-title=\"pf111046_vert-646acc53d54f3934e3dd98584ef2228f1134a5c7\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;William Klein Kid with Gun \/ Gun 1, New York, 1955 (c) William Klein&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/pf111046_vert-646acc53d54f3934e3dd98584ef2228f1134a5c7.jpg?ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26729\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/pf111046_vert-646acc53d54f3934e3dd98584ef2228f1134a5c7-1477x2000.jpg?resize=1477%2C2000\" alt=\"Gun 1, New York, 1955 (c) William Klein\" width=\"1477\" height=\"2000\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26729\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Gun 1, New York, 1955 (c) William Klein<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Even for Klein\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s famous \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Kid with gun\u00e2\u20ac\u009d photograph, he told the kid: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Look tough.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d At that moment, the kid with the toy gun pointed the gun to Klein\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s face with a look of hate, anger, and intensity (see the contact sheet).<\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26728\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/klein-abc-475x660\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/klein-abc-475x660.jpg?fit=475%2C660&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"475,660\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"klein-abc-475&amp;#215;660\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/klein-abc-475x660.jpg?fit=475%2C660&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-26728\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/klein-abc-475x660.jpg?resize=475%2C660\" alt=\"klein-abc-475x660\" width=\"475\" height=\"660\"><\/p>\n<p>One lesson I learned from <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/03\/26\/10-things-martin-parr-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Martin Parr<\/a> when shooting \u00e2\u20ac\u0153<a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/06\/04\/free-book-the-street-portrait-manual\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">street portraits<\/a>\u00e2\u20ac\u009d is this: ask your subject to look straight into the lens and not to smile. Sometimes I will more directly pose my subjects by asking them to look the other direction, cross their arms, to take a puff of their cigarette, or look left, right, down, and up.<\/p>\n<p>An objection I often hear: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153But Eric, once you engage with your subjects and ask them to do something for you, doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t it make the photograph less legitimate?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n<p>My response is this: Every photograph we take is a self-portrait of ourselves. We decide how to filter reality. We decide what to put into the frame and what to exclude.<\/p>\n<p>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have any personal qualms about showing your own version of reality through your photography. Embrace it.<\/p>\n<h2>14. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Can you do that again for me?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26730\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26730\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26730\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/sneeze-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/sneeze.jpg?fit=4335%2C3468&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"4335,3468\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;16&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;M9 Digital Camera&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1317916094&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;35&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;800&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.008&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"sneeze\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Downtown LA, 2011&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/sneeze.jpg?fit=2000%2C1600&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26730\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/sneeze-2000x1600.jpg?resize=2000%2C1600\" alt=\"Downtown LA, 2011\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/sneeze.jpg?resize=2000%2C1600&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/sneeze.jpg?resize=660%2C528&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/sneeze.jpg?resize=768%2C614&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/sneeze.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26730\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Downtown LA, 2011<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Sometimes you see things happen in the street; certain gestures, facial expressions, or actions by your subjects but miss \u00e2\u20ac\u0153the decisive moment.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d If you ever see a moment that you miss, try this out: approach the subject and ask them: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Can you do that again for me?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n<p>For example, I was in Downtown LA in the fashion district and I saw a man blowing his nose. It looked like an interesting gesture, and I loved his eyes, his suit, and the overall moment. However the second I brought up my camera, he dropped the tissue and made eye contact with me (and stopped blowing his nose). I then said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Excuse me sir, I love your outfit and look. Can you do me a favor and blow your nose again for me?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He laughed, and blew his nose again, and I took a few photos while walking backwards with a flash.<\/p>\n<p>Now believe it or not, most people are quite happy to repeat certain gestures for you if you just ask.<\/p>\n<p>Another technique you can try out in street photography if you feel timid approaching strangers and taking photos without their permission is to approach them and ask them, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Pretend like I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m not here.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n<p>If you see a cool-looking guy smoking a cigar in front of a store, you can approach him and say, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Excuse me, I think you look badass smoking that cigar. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t mind me, can you just keep smoking that cigar and pretend like I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m not here?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n<p>Most people will laugh, and literally ignore you. This can help you get a candid-looking photo (without getting punched in the face).<\/p>\n<p>Sometimes your subject will start posing and smiling while continuing to smoke their cigar. In those situations, simply linger around, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t say anything, and wait about 30 seconds until they start ignoring you.<\/p>\n<p>Another tip: you can start chatting with them and asking them how their day is. When they start talking and drop their guard, you can continue taking photos. This allows you to capture much more natural looking photos (that don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t look posed).<\/p>\n<h2>15. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be a slave to your camera<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26731\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26731\" style=\"width: 1325px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26731\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/r0131212\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0131212.jpg?fit=3264%2C4928&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3264,4928\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;4&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;GR&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1427659262&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;800&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.001&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"R0131212\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Chicago, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0131212.jpg?fit=1325%2C2000&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26731\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0131212-1325x2000.jpg?resize=1325%2C2000\" alt=\"Chicago, 2015\" width=\"1325\" height=\"2000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0131212.jpg?resize=1325%2C2000&amp;ssl=1 1325w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0131212.jpg?resize=437%2C660&amp;ssl=1 437w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0131212.jpg?resize=768%2C1160&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0131212.jpg?w=2000&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0131212.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26731\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Chicago, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You are not supposed to be a slave of mechanical tools, they are supposed to help you and be as small and unimportant as possible not to disturb the communication.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/08\/27\/10-things-anders-petersen-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Anders Petersen<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>There is a disease and a sickness out there which afflicts millions of photographers globally, and costs them hundreds and thousands of dollars. This disease breeds insecurity amongst photographers, as they feel that the camera they have is never good enough.<\/p>\n<p>They think that once they upgrade their camera to a newer and more expensive version (or buy a new lens), they will suddenly become more \u00e2\u20ac\u0153inspired\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 and creative.<\/p>\n<p>The disease? It is called \u00e2\u20ac\u0153G.A.S.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d (<a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/03\/04\/10-tips-on-how-to-cure-yourself-of-gas-gear-acquisition-syndrome\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Gear Acquisition Syndrome<\/strong><\/a>). The concept is that camera companies, bloggers, and marketers try to breed dissatisfaction and insecurity with photographers by telling them: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The reason your photos suck is because your camera isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t good enough.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n<p>Personally I am still afflicted with \u00e2\u20ac\u0153G.A.S.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Whenever I am dissatisfied with my photography, I always hope that buying a new camera will suddenly re-inspire me, and open up doors of creativity. Trust me: it never does.<\/p>\n<p>One of the mantras I preach is: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153<a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2011\/12\/12\/buy-books-not-gear\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Buy books, not gear<\/strong><\/a>.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Frankly I regret all the time, energy, and effort I wasted on buying new cameras and lenses. I wish I invested all of that time and money in photography-education (books, workshops) as well as traveling.<\/p>\n<p>Money can buy you happiness, but only if you spend it on experiences, not stuff.<\/p>\n<p>Not only that, but I find reading gear review sites, gear rumor sites, and gear forum sites always poisons me into wanting to buy new cameras and lenses that I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t need. I have added a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153StayFocusd\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Google Chrome plugin which prevents me from visiting these gear-related sites (because I have no self-control).<\/p>\n<p>I have discovered that when I am out shooting, I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think much about my camera. I only think about my camera when I am sitting at home or bored at work when I am surfing the web.<\/p>\n<p>When I had a full-time 9-5 job, I barely had enough time to shoot street photography and hated my life. Somehow I convinced myself that by buying a new camera, I would spend more time going out and shooting.<\/p>\n<p>Whenever I bought a new camera, it would only \u00e2\u20ac\u0153inspire\u00e2\u20ac\u009d me for a week or two, then I would return to baseline.<\/p>\n<p>Remember; invest your money into experiences, travel, workshops, education, and photography books. No camera will help improve your vision.<\/p>\n<h2>16. Cure yourself of \u00e2\u20ac\u0153G.A.S.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/h2>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26732\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/processed-with-vscocam-with-a6-preset-105\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/2014-12-13-03.10.23-1.jpg?fit=463%2C640&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"463,640\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Processed with VSCOcam with a6 preset&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;COPYRIGHT 2014. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Processed with VSCOcam with a6 preset&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Processed with VSCOcam with a6 preset\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/2014-12-13-03.10.23-1.jpg?fit=463%2C640&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-26732\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/2014-12-13-03.10.23-1.jpg?resize=463%2C640\" alt=\"Processed with VSCOcam with a6 preset\" width=\"463\" height=\"640\"><\/p>\n<p>I am still personally afflicted from \u00e2\u20ac\u0153G.A.S.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d (regardless of how many Tums I eat). I am a materialistic person, and everyday I have to fight the urge not to desire a new smartphone, car, home, clothes, watch, laptop, tablet, camera, lens, or accessory.<\/p>\n<p>I am still not fully cured from \u00e2\u20ac\u0153<a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/11\/24\/10-practical-tips-to-fight-g-a-s-gear-acquisition-syndrome\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Gear Acquisition Syndrome<\/strong><\/a>\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, but here are some things that have me feel (less) \u00e2\u20ac\u0153gassy\u00e2\u20ac\u009d.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Be grateful for what you have<\/strong>: Rather than wanting a camera that I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have, I try to write down why I love the camera I already own.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Realize there is no \u00e2\u20ac\u0153perfect\u00e2\u20ac\u009d camera<\/strong>: Every camera has an upside and downside. Rather than trying to find a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153perfect\u00e2\u20ac\u009d camera, try to find a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153good enough\u00e2\u20ac\u009d camera. Become a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153satisficer\u00e2\u20ac\u009d (happy with \u00e2\u20ac\u0153good enough\u00e2\u20ac\u009d) instead of being a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153maximizer\u00e2\u20ac\u009d (wanting \u00e2\u20ac\u0153perfect\u00e2\u20ac\u009d).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Set yourself an upgrade limit<\/strong>: You don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to own one digital camera for the rest of your life. For example, most laptops and smartphones work reasonably well for about 3 years. So set yourself a rule: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I am not allowed to buy new camera unless I have owned this camera for 3 years.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/li>\n<li><strong>Re-read old reviews of your camera<\/strong>: Re-live the excitement you had for the camera you already own. Imagine losing your camera: If tomorrow you lost your camera (or if your camera was stolen from you), how would you feel? I bet you would appreciate the camera you own a lot more.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t own more than one camera and one lens<\/strong>: I think it is fine to own high-quality and expensive cameras. Just try not to own more than one at a time. Personally when I have owned more than one camera and lens in the past, I had no idea which camera to bring with me when I left my apartment. Psychologists call this \u00e2\u20ac\u0153paralysis by analysis.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d If you only have one camera and one lens, you know exactly what camera to bring with you.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2>17. Embrace \u00e2\u20ac\u0153beginner\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s mind\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26735\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26735\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26735\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/r0132869-3\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0132869.jpg?fit=4928%2C3264&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"4928,3264\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;GR&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1434904331&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;800&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0005&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"R0132869\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Paris, 2015 #ricohgr&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0132869.jpg?fit=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26735\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0132869-2000x1325.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325\" alt=\"Paris, 2015\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1325\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0132869.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0132869.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0132869.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0132869.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26735\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Paris, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153My dream is that if you go out in the streets where you were born you see the streets like for the first time in your life even though you have been living there for 60 years.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/08\/27\/10-things-anders-petersen-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Anders Petersen<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Do you remember when you first picked up a camera, and weren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t disturbed by dogma, rules, constraints, or any other \u00e2\u20ac\u0153theories\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in photography? Do you remember the lightness that you would just roam the streets, and just took photos that interested you without any prejudice or self-criticism? Do you remember how excited it was to just play, like a child?<\/p>\n<p>In Zen Buddhism they call this approach \u00e2\u20ac\u0153beginner\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s mind.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d When we begin any sort of pursuit, hobby, or art in life, we are unburdened. We see the world as fresh and full of opportunities. We are excited, nimble, fresh, and open-minded. We see possibilities, not obstructions.<\/p>\n<p>The problem is that the more experienced we become in photography (and life), we become jaded. Everything just seems to becoming boring. Nothing interests us anymore. You can live in the most interesting city in the world (Paris, Tokyo, New York) and after a while become bored of what you see.<\/p>\n<p>Follow <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/08\/27\/10-things-anders-petersen-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Anders Petersen\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s<\/a> advice and hit the streets like it is the first time. Imagine that it is the first time you experienced it. Imagine what you would find interesting and unique. Imagine yourself like a tourist in your own city.<\/p>\n<p>Try switching things up. Walk around your city with a different route than you usually take. Perhaps take a short trip out of town, and come back to your city with new and refreshed eyes.<\/p>\n<p>Imagine yourself like an alien visiting from another planet. If you were an alien and visited your own city streets for the first time, what would you find interesting or unique?<\/p>\n<p>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t analyze your scenes too much when you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re shooting. Just photograph what you find interesting, and just click.<\/p>\n<p>Disregard what others think; just take photos like any good beginner would.<\/p>\n<h2>18. Shoot how you feel<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26736\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26736\" style=\"width: 1545px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26736\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/img_0906-3\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_0906.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1545,1024\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;QSS-32_33&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"IMG_0906\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Paris, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_0906.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26736\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_0906.jpg?resize=1545%2C1024\" alt=\"Paris, 2015\" width=\"1545\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_0906.jpg?w=1545&amp;ssl=1 1545w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_0906.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_0906.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26736\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Paris, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Our emotions are highly variable: on some days we are super optimistic and think everything in life is perfect and super dandy. On other days we can feel pretty shitty and only feel doom and gloom.<\/p>\n<p>Personally even though I have a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153perfect\u00e2\u20ac\u009d life (traveling, teaching photography, meeting amazing people) I still suffer a lot of dissatisfaction in my life. I have financial worries, family issues, and personal issues.<\/p>\n<p>There are a lot of times I feel lost, confused, and frustrated. I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know what direction my life is going. Other times I have no idea what I am doing in photography and question myself, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Why do you even take photos? Nobody cares about your work. You suck. You will never be great.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n<p>Photography is one of the best forms of self-therapy. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t judge your emotions (whether negative or positive). Know that life is a roller-coaster; we will suffer dips and highs.&nbsp;When life is going downhill, the hill going up is just around the horizon. Similarly, when things are going well, remember that it won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t last.<\/p>\n<p>When I am feeling dark and moody, I find that shooting gritty black and white suits my mood. However when my life is feeling more positive and upbeat, I find myself shooting more happy, colorful, and saturated color.<\/p>\n<p>A photograph without emotion is dead. Avoid taking photos that are just purely compositional or design-oriented. Make street photos that open the doors of empathy to your viewer.<\/p>\n<h2>19. Limitations are freedom<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26737\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26737\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26737\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/suits-1-10\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-1.jpg?fit=3088%2C2048&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3088,2048\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Suits-1\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;London, 2013&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-1.jpg?fit=2000%2C1326&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26737\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-1-2000x1326.jpg?resize=2000%2C1326\" alt=\"London, 2013\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1326\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-1.jpg?resize=2000%2C1326&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-1.jpg?resize=660%2C438&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-1.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-1.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26737\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">London, 2013<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dToo much choices will screw up your life. Work on one thing, then expand on your canvas.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/09\/23\/15-lessons-david-alan-harvey-taught-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">David Alan Harvey<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>The problem with modern society is that we have too many choices. Do you remember the last time you went to the grocery store and wanted to get some breakfast cereal? Let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s say you wanted to get some wheat cereal. You go to the cereal aisle, and you see that there are 10 different brands for wheat cereal. Even worse, there are different flavors: sugar, chocolate, vanilla, blueberry, and strawberry. Even worse, there are some cereals loaded with probiotics, some with less sugar, and some that is advertised as \u00e2\u20ac\u0153heart healthy.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n<p>Overwhelmed, you just pick up some of the chocolate wheat cereal, and you go home and the next morning you have a bowl of cereal. You are slightly disappointed with your choice, and you kick yourself for not getting the sugar variety.<\/p>\n<p>This is what psychologists call \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The Tyranny of Choice\u00e2\u20ac\u009d (or \u00e2\u20ac\u0153<a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/0060005696\/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=0060005696&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=erikimstrpho-20&amp;linkId=42CI36BICAY2M42U\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The Paradox of Choice<\/a>\u00e2\u20ac\u009d). When we have too many choices or options, we become overwhelmed. This causes more regret, and more stress.<\/p>\n<p>Having too many choices (for example, owning more than one camera and one lens) can be stressful. By having more choices as a photographer, you spend less time shooting, and more time and energy debating which camera, lens, or film to use.<\/p>\n<p>Ironically enough, having fewer options leads to less stress, and more inner-peace.<\/p>\n<p>When I used to own more than one lens, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153decision fatigue\u00e2\u20ac\u009d killed me. I would be out shooting, and constantly switch my lens from a 28mm to a 35mm to a 50mm. No lens was ever perfectly \u00e2\u20ac\u0153ideal\u00e2\u20ac\u009d for the situation I was shooting. In the past I also shot with a Sigma 18-200mm (which made me a really lazy photographer).<\/p>\n<p>If you only own one prime (non-zoom) lens, you learn how to work within the boundaries of your focal length. If your 35mm can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t fit in a whole body shot of your subject, perhaps you can focus on just their face or hands. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Creative constraints\u00e2\u20ac\u009d force you to make more intriguing and interesting images.<\/p>\n<p>Many masters of street photography have followed the philosophy of \u00e2\u20ac\u0153one camera, one lens.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/12\/09\/17-lessons-henri-cartier-bresson-taught-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Henri Cartier-Bresson<\/a> made the majority of his iconic images with his film Leica, 50mm, and black-and-white film. <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/04\/10-things-alex-webb-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Alex Webb<\/a> has stuck to mostly a film Leica, a 35mm lens, and Kodachrome color film. <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/03\/5-lessons-daido-moriyama-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Daido Moriyama<\/a> has stuck with point-and-shoot Ricoh GR cameras, 28mm, and have stayed consistent with grainy black and white look.<\/p>\n<p>Of course there are other great photographers like <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/tag\/todd-hido\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Todd Hido<\/a> who have used multiple cameras, lenses, films, and formats and have made great work. However if you are a beginner, starting off with just one camera and one lens and sticking with it for a long time can help push you creatively.<\/p>\n<p>Try to figure out how you can start to eliminate options and choices from your photography (and life). Having more limitations will force you to be more creative, and set you free.<\/p>\n<h2>20. Document your own life<\/h2>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26738\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/halabujee-2-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-2.jpg?fit=3533%2C2313&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3533,2313\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1372359779&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Halabujee-2\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-2.jpg?fit=2000%2C1309&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-26738\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-2-2000x1309.jpg?resize=2000%2C1309\" alt=\"Halabujee-2\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1309\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-2.jpg?resize=2000%2C1309&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-2.jpg?resize=660%2C432&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-2.jpg?resize=768%2C503&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-2.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26739\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/halabujee-3-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-3.jpg?fit=3559%2C2369&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3559,2369\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1372359050&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Halabujee-3\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-3.jpg?fit=2000%2C1331&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-26739\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-3-2000x1331.jpg?resize=2000%2C1331\" alt=\"Halabujee-3\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1331\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-3.jpg?resize=2000%2C1331&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-3.jpg?resize=660%2C439&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-3.jpg?resize=768%2C511&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-3.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26740\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/halabujee-4-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-4.jpg?fit=3436%2C2344&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3436,2344\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1372358428&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Halabujee-4\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-4.jpg?fit=2000%2C1364&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-26740\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-4-2000x1364.jpg?resize=2000%2C1364\" alt=\"Halabujee-4\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1364\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-4.jpg?resize=2000%2C1364&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-4.jpg?resize=660%2C450&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-4.jpg?resize=768%2C524&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-4.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26741\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/halabujee-5\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-5.jpg?fit=3596%2C2375&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3596,2375\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1372335521&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Halabujee-5\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-5.jpg?fit=2000%2C1321&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-26741\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-5-2000x1321.jpg?resize=2000%2C1321\" alt=\"Halabujee-5\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1321\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-5.jpg?resize=2000%2C1321&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-5.jpg?resize=660%2C436&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-5.jpg?resize=768%2C507&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-5.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26742\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/halabujee-7\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-7.jpg?fit=3571%2C2363&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3571,2363\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1372335983&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Halabujee-7\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-7.jpg?fit=2000%2C1323&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-26742\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-7-2000x1323.jpg?resize=2000%2C1323\" alt=\"Halabujee-7\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1323\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-7.jpg?resize=2000%2C1323&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-7.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-7.jpg?resize=768%2C508&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-7.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26743\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/halabujee-8\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-8.jpg?fit=3586%2C2356&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3586,2356\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1372341809&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Halabujee-8\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-8.jpg?fit=2000%2C1314&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-26743\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-8-2000x1314.jpg?resize=2000%2C1314\" alt=\"Halabujee-8\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1314\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-8.jpg?resize=2000%2C1314&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-8.jpg?resize=660%2C434&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-8.jpg?resize=768%2C505&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-8.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26744\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/halabujee-9-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-9.jpg?fit=3577%2C2369&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3577,2369\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1372342767&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Halabujee-9\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-9.jpg?fit=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-26744\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-9-2000x1325.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325\" alt=\"Halabujee-9\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1325\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-9.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-9.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-9.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-9.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26745\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/halabujee-10-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-10.jpg?fit=3517%2C2350&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3517,2350\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1372342974&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Halabujee-10\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-10.jpg?fit=2000%2C1336&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-26745\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-10-2000x1336.jpg?resize=2000%2C1336\" alt=\"Halabujee-10\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1336\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-10.jpg?resize=2000%2C1336&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-10.jpg?resize=660%2C441&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-10.jpg?resize=768%2C513&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-10.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26746\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/halabujee-11\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-11.jpg?fit=3568%2C2356&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3568,2356\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1372344499&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Halabujee-11\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-11.jpg?fit=2000%2C1321&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-26746\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-11-2000x1321.jpg?resize=2000%2C1321\" alt=\"Halabujee-11\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1321\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-11.jpg?resize=2000%2C1321&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-11.jpg?resize=660%2C436&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-11.jpg?resize=768%2C507&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-11.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26747\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/halabujee-12\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-12.jpg?fit=3506%2C2375&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3506,2375\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1372345580&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Halabujee-12\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-12.jpg?fit=2000%2C1355&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-26747\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-12-2000x1355.jpg?resize=2000%2C1355\" alt=\"Halabujee-12\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1355\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-12.jpg?resize=2000%2C1355&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-12.jpg?resize=660%2C447&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-12.jpg?resize=768%2C520&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-12.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26748\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/halabujee-13\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-13.jpg?fit=3576%2C2356&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3576,2356\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1372345359&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Halabujee-13\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-13.jpg?fit=2000%2C1318&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-26748\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-13-2000x1318.jpg?resize=2000%2C1318\" alt=\"Halabujee-13\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1318\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-13.jpg?resize=2000%2C1318&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-13.jpg?resize=660%2C435&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-13.jpg?resize=768%2C506&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-13.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26749\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/halabujee-14-3\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-14.jpg?fit=3568%2C2344&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3568,2344\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1372346327&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Halabujee-14\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-14.jpg?fit=2000%2C1314&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-26749\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-14-2000x1314.jpg?resize=2000%2C1314\" alt=\"Halabujee-14\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1314\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-14.jpg?resize=2000%2C1314&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-14.jpg?resize=660%2C434&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-14.jpg?resize=768%2C505&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-14.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26750\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/halabujee-15\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-15.jpg?fit=3545%2C2356&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3545,2356\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1372345944&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Halabujee-15\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-15.jpg?fit=2000%2C1329&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-26750\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-15-2000x1329.jpg?resize=2000%2C1329\" alt=\"Halabujee-15\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1329\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-15.jpg?resize=2000%2C1329&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-15.jpg?resize=660%2C439&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-15.jpg?resize=768%2C510&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-15.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26751\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/halabujee-19\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-19.jpg?fit=3557%2C2356&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3557,2356\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1372342499&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Halabujee-19\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-19.jpg?fit=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-26751\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-19-2000x1325.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325\" alt=\"Halabujee-19\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1325\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-19.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-19.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-19.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-19.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26752\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/halabujee-20-3\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-20.jpg?fit=3566%2C2363&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3566,2363\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1372360292&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Halabujee-20\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Busan, 2013 #neopan1600&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-20.jpg?fit=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-26752\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-20-2000x1325.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325\" alt=\"Halabujee-20\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1325\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-20.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-20.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-20.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-20.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26753\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/halabujee-21\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-21.jpg?fit=3517%2C2331&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3517,2331\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1372361052&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Halabujee-21\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-21.jpg?fit=2000%2C1326&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-26753\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-21-2000x1326.jpg?resize=2000%2C1326\" alt=\"Halabujee-21\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1326\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-21.jpg?resize=2000%2C1326&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-21.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-21.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Halabujee-21.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>In January 2013, I got the news that my grandfather passed away. I quickly boarded a plane, and only brought one camera and lens with me: the Ricoh GR1v (a point-and-shoot film camera with a 28mm lens). I also only brought 10 rolls of film (Neopan 400) and pushed the film to 1600. I set myself this limitation in terms of my gear and my goal was to document my grandfather\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s funeral in a meaningful, present, and mindful way.<\/p>\n<p>By having this simple point-and-shoot camera, I was able to really focus on the experience of being there for my grandfather\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s funeral. Because the camera is film, I couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t \u00e2\u20ac\u0153chimp\u00e2\u20ac\u009d and check my LCD screen after every photograph I took.<\/p>\n<p>I was truly present, and wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t distracted by my camera. I think this lack of distraction from my camera helped me create one of the most meaningful projects in my photography career: my \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Grandfather\u00e2\u20ac\u009d series.<\/p>\n<p>If you are a photographer that owns more than one camera and one lens, just bring one camera and one lens with you when you go out shooting. Or if you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re pursuing a certain photography project, do it all on one camera, one lens, and one film (or style of post-processing if you shoot digital).<\/p>\n<p>Focus on the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153shooting process,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d and less about the equipment and technical settings involved.<\/p>\n<h2>21. Shoot with a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153stream-of-consciousness\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26754\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26754\" style=\"width: 1545px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26754\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/img_1277-4\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1277.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1545,1024\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"IMG_1277\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Prague, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1277.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26754\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1277.jpg?resize=1545%2C1024\" alt=\"Prague, 2015\" width=\"1545\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1277.jpg?w=1545&amp;ssl=1 1545w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1277.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1277.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26754\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Prague, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153For me, capturing what I feel with my body is more important than the technicalities of photography. If the image is shaking, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s OK, if it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s out of focus, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s OK. Clarity isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t what photography is about.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/03\/5-lessons-daido-moriyama-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Daido Moriyama<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>One of the common mistakes a lot of photographers make is that they are too analytical when they shoot street photography. They forget the most important part of photography: photographing what you feel with your heart.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/03\/5-lessons-daido-moriyama-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Daido Moriyama<\/strong><\/a> is one of Japan\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s most famous photographers who popularized the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153<a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/07\/24\/how-to-embrace-stream-of-consciousness-in-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>stream-of-consciousness<\/strong><\/a>\u00e2\u20ac\u009d style of photography. Not only that, but he popularized the radical \u00e2\u20ac\u0153are, bure, boke\u00e2\u20ac\u009d (grainy, blurry, out-of-focus) aesthetic, which rebelled against the photography at the time, which focused on making hyper-sharp images with fancy high-end cameras.<\/p>\n<p>What is &#8220;<a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/07\/24\/how-to-embrace-stream-of-consciousness-in-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">stream-of-consciousness<\/a>&#8221; in photography you ask? Well, the concept is that your thoughts, emotions, and ideas are like a river or stream, flowing through your mind. You trust your intuition, instincts, and gut.<\/p>\n<p>When you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re shooting street photography, you just photograph what you find interesting, without any judgement, self-criticism, or frustration. You setup your camera with fully-auto settings, and just point-and-click. It is the purest form of \u00e2\u20ac\u0153snapshot\u00e2\u20ac\u009d photography, where you aren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t thinking like an \u00e2\u20ac\u0153artist.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d You are just like a child, exploring the world, and photographing what you find interesting.<\/p>\n<p>If you shoot with a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153<a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/07\/24\/how-to-embrace-stream-of-consciousness-in-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">stream-of-consciousness<\/a>,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d realize that the majority of your shots won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be very good. In-fact, you will make a lot of crappy, uninteresting, and boring photographs. However if you channel your emotions into your photos, they will become more personally meaningful to you. Furthermore, this feeling will transfer to the viewer.<\/p>\n<p>This makes the editing process so important. You need to always get a second opinion on your photos, and to see if other people get the same emotions from your photograph as you do.<\/p>\n<h2>22. Shoot what it feels like<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26755\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26755\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26755\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/dscf0488-3\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSCF0488.jpg?fit=4896%2C3264&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"4896,3264\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.2&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1405522356&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;23&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;1600&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.016666666666667&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"DSCF0488\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Saigon, 2014&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSCF0488.jpg?fit=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26755\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSCF0488-2000x1333.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333\" alt=\"Saigon, 2014\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSCF0488.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSCF0488.jpg?resize=660%2C440&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSCF0488.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/DSCF0488.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26755\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Saigon, 2014<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Seeing is not enough; you have to feel what you photograph\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/09\/16\/10-lessons-andre-kertesz-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Andre Kertesz<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>I shot this image in Saigon, Vietnam. I was at a bar, and I saw the mysterious mood and feeling of this man through a set of curtains. In terms of technical settings, I shot this image on a <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/06\/03\/review-of-the-fujifilm-x100s-for-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Fujifilm x100s<\/a>, and set the camera to manual-focus, focused on the man, and just started to shoot away in \u00e2\u20ac\u0153P\u00e2\u20ac\u009d (program) mode (aperture set to auto, shutter-speed set to auto) at ISO 3200.<\/p>\n<p>I often use \u00e2\u20ac\u0153P\u00e2\u20ac\u009d mode when shooting digitally, because it helps me focus on composing the scene, framing, and \u00e2\u20ac\u0153working the scene\u00e2\u20ac\u009d (instead of fiddling around with my camera).<\/p>\n<p>I loved the expression of the man\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s face, his sense of loneliness, and the mysteriousness of the place. I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think too much about the composition and the framing, I just kept shooting what the scene felt like: dark, estranged, and lost.<\/p>\n<p>Afterwards when I shared the photo with my friends and other photographers I trusted, they told me that the emotion that I felt in this scene mirrored what they felt.<\/p>\n<p>The emotions you feel while shooting street photography won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t always translate to your viewers. However the more you shoot with your heart (and not with your brain), the more likely you are to translate what a scene feels like to your viewer.<\/p>\n<h2>23. Embrace failure<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26756\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26756\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26756\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/suits-2-11\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-2.jpg?fit=3088%2C2048&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3088,2048\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Suits-2\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Beverly Hills, 2013&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-2.jpg?fit=2000%2C1326&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26756\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-2-2000x1326.jpg?resize=2000%2C1326\" alt=\"Beverly Hills, 2013\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1326\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-2.jpg?resize=2000%2C1326&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-2.jpg?resize=660%2C438&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-2.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-2.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26756\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Beverly Hills, 2013<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Luck &#8211; or perhaps serendipity &#8211; plays a big role\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 But you never know what is going to happen. And what is most exciting is when the utterly unexpected happens, and you manage to be there at the right place at the right time &#8211; and push the shutter at the right moment. Most of the time it doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t work out that way. Street photography is 99.9% about failure.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/04\/10-things-alex-webb-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Alex Webb<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Street photography is all about failure. As <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/04\/10-things-alex-webb-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Alex Webb<\/strong><\/a> said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Street photography is 99.9% about failure.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Every time you click the shutter, there is only a .1% chance that you will make an interesting shot. The majority of the time, you might shoot an entire day, not get a single good shot, and feel disappointed and frustrated.<\/p>\n<p>Know that failure is a good thing. The more you fail, the more likely you are to succeed. As Thomas Edison once said: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153If you want to increase your success rate, double your failure rate.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n<p>You can control the effort, not the results. Meaning, you can control putting in 8 hours of shooting in one day, and how hard you work. What you can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t control is whether you get a good shot or not.<\/p>\n<p>In my street photography, I often found that the more I go out and bring my camera, the more \u00e2\u20ac\u0153lucky\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I get. When I have my camera with me, the more opportunities I see. Luck isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t some magical thing that hits us like lightning. However luck favors the prepared.<\/p>\n<p>Be prepared by always having your camera with you, always observing your scenes and environment, and know that every once in a while, you will be at the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153right place at the right time.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d If you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re comfortable with your camera and skilled enough, you will also click the shutter at the right moment.<\/p>\n<p>When you fail to get the shot, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t become discouraged. Rather, learn from your failures and mistakes. What caused you to miss the shot? Was it because your camera wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t setup properly? Was it because your camera was in your bag (and not in your hand)? Was it because you were too nervous and didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have the courage to click the shutter?<\/p>\n<p>Learn from your failures, and the closer you will become to mastering your photography.<\/p>\n<h2>24. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be afraid to click the shutter<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26757\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26757\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26757\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/istanbul-1-8\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Istanbul-1.jpg?fit=3087%2C2048&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3087,2048\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Istanbul-1\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Istanbul, 2014&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Istanbul-1.jpg?fit=2000%2C1327&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26757\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Istanbul-1-2000x1327.jpg?resize=2000%2C1327\" alt=\"Istanbul, 2014\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1327\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Istanbul-1.jpg?resize=2000%2C1327&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Istanbul-1.jpg?resize=660%2C438&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Istanbul-1.jpg?resize=768%2C510&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Istanbul-1.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26757\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Istanbul, 2014<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>One of the mistakes that street photographers make is that they are afraid to click the shutter, fearing that they will take bad shots. Realize the more bad shots you take, the more likely you are to get a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153keeper.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n<p>In this scene in Istanbul, I took 6 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153bad\u00e2\u20ac\u009d shots until I got lucky (boy jumping into the water) and got an interesting image next to this man.<\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26758\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/0-istanbul-man-suit-contact\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/0-istanbul-man-suit-contact.jpg?fit=1333%2C702&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1333,702\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"0- istanbul-man-suit-contact\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/0-istanbul-man-suit-contact.jpg?fit=1333%2C702&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-26758\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/0-istanbul-man-suit-contact.png?resize=1333%2C702\" alt=\"0- istanbul-man-suit-contact\" width=\"1333\" height=\"702\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/0-istanbul-man-suit-contact.jpg?w=1333&amp;ssl=1 1333w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/0-istanbul-man-suit-contact.jpg?resize=660%2C348&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/0-istanbul-man-suit-contact.jpg?resize=768%2C404&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>To succeed more, fail more.<\/p>\n<h2>25. Add \u00e2\u20ac\u0153something more\u00e2\u20ac\u009d to the frame<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26759\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26759\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26759\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/downtown-la-2014_17152623186_o\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/downtown-la-2014_17152623186_o.jpg?fit=3087%2C2048&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3087,2048\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;QSS-29_31&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"downtown-la-2014_17152623186_o\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Downtown LA, 2014&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/downtown-la-2014_17152623186_o.jpg?fit=2000%2C1327&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26759\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/downtown-la-2014_17152623186_o-2000x1327.jpg?resize=2000%2C1327\" alt=\"Downtown LA, 2014\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1327\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/downtown-la-2014_17152623186_o.jpg?resize=2000%2C1327&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/downtown-la-2014_17152623186_o.jpg?resize=660%2C438&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/downtown-la-2014_17152623186_o.jpg?resize=768%2C510&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/downtown-la-2014_17152623186_o.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26759\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Downtown LA, 2014<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not just that that and that exists. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s that that, that, that, and that all exist in the same frame. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m always looking for something more. You take in too much; perhaps it becomes total chaos. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m always playing along that line: adding something more, yet keeping it sort of chaos.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/04\/10-things-alex-webb-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Alex Webb<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>The more experienced you get in street photography, the more sophisticated you will become. You might start getting bored with the images you make, and you want something more in your images.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/04\/10-things-alex-webb-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Alex Webb<\/strong><\/a> is famous for creating complex images, with multiple layers and colors while having minimal overlaps in his frame. His photos are bursting with life, energy, and subject-matter. His photos are on the border of chaotic, yet they still work.<\/p>\n<p>What Alex Webb does is he constantly looks for something more in the frame he can add, especially things in the background.<\/p>\n<p>As beginner street photographers, we become obsessed only what is in front of us, and we disregard the background. We don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know that the background is often as important as the foreground.<\/p>\n<p>If you see a single-subject in the foreground, take the shot, but wait and be patient and look for \u00e2\u20ac\u0153something more.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Perhaps somewhere to the right of the scene, you see an old lady about the enter the frame. And on the top-left of the scene, you might see a woman pushing a baby stroller into the frame.<\/p>\n<p>Try to frame the shot where you can balance the image by dispersing subjects in opposite sides of the frames. Also try to avoid creating overlaps in your images with your subjects by adding a little bit of white-space between them.<\/p>\n<p>But how do you know when a scene is \u00e2\u20ac\u0153too busy\u00e2\u20ac\u009d? It is often a matter of taste. What I try to find is \u00e2\u20ac\u0153multiple stories\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in a single scene, which keeps the viewer engaged and interested.<\/p>\n<p>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t just put extra subjects in the frame for the sake of it. Only add what you think is essential and will add something of value to the frame.<\/p>\n<h2>26. Master your body language<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26760\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26760\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26760\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/r0130890-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0130890.jpg?fit=3936%2C2608&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3936,2608\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;GR&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1425081941&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;800&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.001&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"R0130890\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;SF, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0130890.jpg?fit=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26760\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0130890-2000x1325.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325\" alt=\"SF, 2015\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1325\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0130890.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0130890.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0130890.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0130890.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26760\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">SF, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153If you photograph for a long time, you get to understand such things as body language. I often do not look at people I photograph, especially afterwards. Also when I want a photo, I become somewhat fearless, and this helps a lot. There will always be someone who objects to being photographed, and when this happens you move on.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/03\/26\/10-things-martin-parr-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Martin Parr<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>As a street photographer, you want to learn how to master your body language. 90% of communication isn&#8217;t verbal; we communicate through our facial expressions, body language, and hand gestures.<\/p>\n<p>If you want make strong images, <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/03\/26\/10-things-martin-parr-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Martin Parr<\/strong><\/a> explains the importance of getting close to your subject, and how difficult it is:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dI go straight in very close to people and I do that because it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the only way you can get the picture. You go right up to them. Even now, I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t find it easy.&#8221; &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/03\/26\/10-things-martin-parr-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Martin Parr<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Even <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/03\/26\/10-things-martin-parr-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Martin Parr<\/a>, who has been shooting street photography for decades still finds it difficult to get close to people and get the shot.<\/p>\n<p>To be \u00e2\u20ac\u0153<a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/01\/23\/video-lecture-how-to-be-invisible-when-shooting-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>invisible<\/strong><\/a>\u00e2\u20ac\u009d when shooting street photography, Martin Parr gets very close to his subjects by pretending to focus somewhere else:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dI don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t announce it. I pretend to be focusing elsewhere. If you take someone\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s photograph it is very difficult not to look at them just after. But it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the one thing that gives the game away. I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t try and hide what I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m doing &#8211; that would be folly.&#8221; &#8211; Martin Parr<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Eye contact often makes a stronger street photograph, but also it makes it very obvious to your subject that you want to photograph them. So if you want to be invisible when shooting street photography, avoid eye contact.<\/p>\n<p>The less nervous and awkward body language you show, the less nervous and awkward your subjects will feel.<\/p>\n<h2>26. Tell convincing lies<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26761\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26761\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26761\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/86940020-4\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/86940020.jpg?fit=3087%2C2048&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3087,2048\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"86940020\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Istanbul, 2014&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/86940020.jpg?fit=2000%2C1327&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26761\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/86940020-2000x1327.jpg?resize=2000%2C1327\" alt=\"Istanbul, 2014\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1327\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/86940020.jpg?resize=2000%2C1327&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/86940020.jpg?resize=660%2C438&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/86940020.jpg?resize=768%2C510&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/86940020.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26761\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Istanbul, 2014<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>For this image, you can see the powerful effect of having eye contact in your photographs. To me, the man looks like he is peering straight into your soul; with a death-stare, which is unforgettable to the viewer.<\/p>\n<p>How do you make memorable street photos?<\/p>\n<p>Tell convincing lies.<\/p>\n<p>The lie in this photograph is that it looks like a candid photograph, where I just took a photo of him without permission, and he is about to go up to me, and bash in my face.<\/p>\n<p>The truth? He was the sweetest guy ever, as you can see in the contact sheet:<br>\n<img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26762\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/istanbul-metro-contact\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/istanbul-metro-contact.jpg?fit=1126%2C667&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1126,667\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"istanbul-metro-contact\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/istanbul-metro-contact.jpg?fit=1126%2C667&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-26762\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/istanbul-metro-contact.png?resize=1126%2C667\" alt=\"istanbul-metro-contact\" width=\"1126\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/istanbul-metro-contact.jpg?w=1126&amp;ssl=1 1126w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/istanbul-metro-contact.jpg?resize=660%2C391&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/istanbul-metro-contact.jpg?resize=768%2C455&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The photo is a lie. I crafted my own version of reality, rather than capturing what I saw before me. Ultimately I think it is less boring.<\/p>\n<p>In this scene, I didn&#8217;t pretend like I was shooting something else. I was bold and make eye contact with my subject, and interacted with him. If I had never built up the confidence being able to make eye contact with strangers, I would have never been able to make this image.<\/p>\n<p>Switch it up in your street photography. Sometimes interact with your subjects and ask them not to smile. Other times shoot candid shots without permission. Shoot whatever suits your mood, and know that there isn&#8217;t one &#8220;right&#8221; or &#8220;wrong&#8221; way to shoot.<\/p>\n<p>Follow what feels right for you, and forget the rest.<\/p>\n<h2>28. Kill your master<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26763\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26763\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26763\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/americans-5-3\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-5.jpg?fit=3087%2C2048&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3087,2048\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Americans-5\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;NYC, 2014. Shoot with Kodak Porta 400 Color Film. &lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-5.jpg?fit=2000%2C1327&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26763\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-5-2000x1327.jpg?resize=2000%2C1327\" alt=\"NYC, 2014\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1327\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-5.jpg?resize=2000%2C1327&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-5.jpg?resize=660%2C438&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-5.jpg?resize=768%2C510&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-5.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26763\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">NYC, 2014<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153In those days Henri Cartier-Bresson limited us to lenses from 35 mm to 90 mm. When I showed him the photos he said, \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcbrilliant Ren\u00c3\u00a9!\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 I went outside and shouted \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcHah!\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 He heard me and said \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcwhat was that?\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 I said, \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcnothing, never mind\u00e2\u20ac\u2122. The lens I used was 180 mm &#8211; I never told him! At that point I broke loose from my mentor. I killed my mentor!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/03\/16\/6-lessons-rene-burri-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Rene Burri<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Ironically enough even though this book is on learning from the masters of street photography, there are only so many \u00e2\u20ac\u0153lessons\u00e2\u20ac\u009d you an learn from the masters before you need to \u00e2\u20ac\u0153<a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/09\/18\/kill-your-master-in-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>kill your master<\/strong><\/a>.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n<p>For example, when <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/03\/16\/6-lessons-rene-burri-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Rene Burri<\/strong><\/a> started to shoot photography in Magnum, Cartier-Bresson was one of his mentors and \u00e2\u20ac\u0153masters.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He hugely admired Cartier-Bresson\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s work, and therefore would follow his philosophies in not using telephoto lenses, not cropping, and not posing his subjects.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_22987\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22987\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"22987\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/03\/16\/6-lessons-rene-burri-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/brazil-sao-paulo-1960\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/BRAZIL.-Sao-Paulo.-1960..jpg?fit=944%2C615&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"944,615\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"BRAZIL. Sao Paulo. 1960.\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Copyright Rene Burri \/ Magnum Photos. BRAZIL. Sao Paulo. 1960.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/BRAZIL.-Sao-Paulo.-1960..jpg?fit=800%2C521&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"wp-image-22987 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/BRAZIL.-Sao-Paulo.-1960.-800x521.jpg?resize=800%2C521\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" srcset=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/BRAZIL.-Sao-Paulo.-1960.-660x430.jpg 660x, http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/BRAZIL.-Sao-Paulo.-1960.-800x521.jpg 800x, http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/BRAZIL.-Sao-Paulo.-1960..jpg 944x\" alt=\"Copyright Rene Burri \/ Magnum Photos. BRAZIL. Sao Paulo. 1960.\" width=\"800\" height=\"521\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-22987\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Copyright Rene Burri \/ Magnum Photos. BRAZIL. Sao Paulo. 1960.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Ironically enough one of Burri\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s most famous image of silhouetted men in Brazil, he shot it with a 180mm (directly contradicting the rules of Cartier-Bresson). By \u00e2\u20ac\u0153breaking the rules,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Burri was able to make one of his most iconic and memorable images.<\/p>\n<p>Remember that after learning from the masters, you need to know when to ignore them or when to go against their teachings.<\/p>\n<p>Consider the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153masters\u00e2\u20ac\u009d of street photography simply as mentors or guides. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t listen to them blindly, as one day you need to take off your training wheels and learn to ride on your own.<\/p>\n<h2>29. Contradict a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153rule\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26764\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26764\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26764\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/suits-5-6\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-5.jpg?fit=3087%2C2048&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3087,2048\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Suits-5\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Tokyo, 2013&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-5.jpg?fit=2000%2C1327&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26764\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-5-2000x1327.jpg?resize=2000%2C1327\" alt=\"Tokyo, 2013\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1327\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-5.jpg?resize=2000%2C1327&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-5.jpg?resize=660%2C438&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-5.jpg?resize=768%2C510&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-5.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26764\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Tokyo, 2013<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>If there is a certain \u00e2\u20ac\u0153rule\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in photography you normally follow, break it for a month, in a creative way.<\/p>\n<p>If the rule is \u00e2\u20ac\u0153don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t crop,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d do the exact opposite by experimenting with radical cropping. This is what <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/03\/10-lessons-william-klein-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">William Klein<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/01\/timeless-lessons-street-photographers-can-learn-from-robert-franks-the-americans\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Robert Frank<\/a> did with their images, and it worked for them. So never take &#8220;rules&#8221; at face value&#8211; always challenge them and try to contradict them.<\/p>\n<p>A personal rule I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t shoot the back of heads. Why not? Generally if you can&#8217;t see someone&#8217;s face, it is hard to see their facial expression, and get a sense of emotion in the shot. I almost always prefer faces.<\/p>\n<p>In this situation for my &#8220;<a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/albums\/suits\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Suits<\/strong><\/a>&#8221; project, I visited the business quarters in Tokyo at around midnight. There was this arcade that I found on the top floor, and went around taking some photos with a flash. I saw this old man playing games at the arcade machine, and I took perhaps or two shots, and simply moved on.<\/p>\n<p>For me, the reason I think the shot works is because the back of his head is quite interesting: it shows that he is an older &#8220;suit,&#8221; probably in his 60&#8217;s or older (because of his balding head).<\/p>\n<p>If the back of someone&#8217;s head is more interesting than their face, just shoot it. Don&#8217;t be constricted by rules in a negative way.<\/p>\n<h2>30. Follow your curiosity<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26765\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26765\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26765\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/img_1033-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1033.jpg?fit=1024%2C1545&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1024,1545\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"IMG_1033\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Vienna, 2015 #trix1600&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1033.jpg?fit=1024%2C1545&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26765\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1033.jpg?resize=1024%2C1545\" alt=\"Vienna, 2015\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1545\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1033.jpg?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1033.jpg?resize=437%2C660&amp;ssl=1 437w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1033.jpg?resize=768%2C1159&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26765\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Vienna, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153The camera is like my third eye it is an outlet for my curiosity. I was always curious as a kid and you have to use your senses. I wanted to meet the big giants of the 19th century, a sculptor, an artist, a dictator a musician and then I would find the pictures would just happen. You don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t capture a picture you are responding. I respond to situations and I am very fast &#8211; fastest gun in the West &#8211; even at my age.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/03\/16\/6-lessons-rene-burri-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Rene Burri<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>One of the best traits a street photographer can have is curiosity. You can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t fake curiosity in life. Curiosity is the fuel of life. Curiosity is what keeps us hungry to learn more, experience more, and live more.<\/p>\n<p>If you want to become a better photographer, learn how to become more curious in life. Be more like a child and less like an adult. Once we become adults, we become closed off to new ideas and ways of thinking. Rather than exploring things for ourselves and following our curiosity we rather Google answers.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/12\/26\/11-lessons-jacob-aue-sobol-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Jacob Aue Sobol<\/strong><\/a> is a photographer who is perpetually curious about the lives of others. This is what fuels his work and passion:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dI also photograph because I am curious. I am curious about what the person on the other side of the street is thinking, how he or she lives, and how he or she feels. I am always looking for someone to share a moment with.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/12\/26\/11-lessons-jacob-aue-sobol-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jacob Aue Sobol<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t photograph what you think others might find interesting. One of the best ways to discover your \u00e2\u20ac\u0153style\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in photography is to learn what you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t like to photograph. Photograph what you are personally interested in. If there is a certain neighborhood or part of your town that you are interested in, just go there with a camera and take photos.<\/p>\n<p>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think too much. Follow and shoot what you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re curious about.<\/p>\n<h2>31. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t explain your photos<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26766\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26766\" style=\"width: 1325px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26766\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/21387170268_c8a830380a_o\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/21387170268_c8a830380a_o.jpg?fit=3264%2C4928&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3264,4928\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;GR&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1442576271&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;400&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.008&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"21387170268_c8a830380a_o\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Seattle, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/21387170268_c8a830380a_o.jpg?fit=1325%2C2000&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26766\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/21387170268_c8a830380a_o-1325x2000.jpg?resize=1325%2C2000\" alt=\"Seattle, 2015\" width=\"1325\" height=\"2000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/21387170268_c8a830380a_o.jpg?resize=1325%2C2000&amp;ssl=1 1325w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/21387170268_c8a830380a_o.jpg?resize=437%2C660&amp;ssl=1 437w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/21387170268_c8a830380a_o.jpg?resize=768%2C1160&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/21387170268_c8a830380a_o.jpg?w=2000&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/21387170268_c8a830380a_o.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26766\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Seattle, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I leave it to others to say what [my photos] mean. You know my photos, you published them, you exhibited them, and so you can say whether they have meaning or not.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/11\/25\/7-lessons-josef-koudelka-taught-photography-life\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Josef Koudelka<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>One of the common mistakes photographers make is that they don&#8217;t leave their photos open to interpretation. They use fancy titles which explain what they want the viewer to take out of the photograph.<\/p>\n<p>Take the opposite approach: leave your photos open to interpretation to the viewer. The more open to interpretation you make your photos, the more engaging they will be to your viewer.<\/p>\n<p>A key way to do this is to leave out key information, or to add mystery or ambiguity to your photos. Intentionally cut off heads, limbs, or obscure the background. Kill the sense of context of the scene. Make the viewer work hard to interpret what is going on in the scene.<\/p>\n<p>A good joke shouldn&#8217;t need to be &#8220;explained&#8221; by the joke teller. Similarly a good street photograph shouldn&#8217;t need a detailed backstory in the caption of a photograph.<\/p>\n<p>Similarly, movies are always the best when they end in an ambiguous way, in which the viewer makes up their own ending. When the director ends a film without a clear ending, the film is unforgettable.<\/p>\n<p>Photographer <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/02\/14\/6-lessons-joel-sternfeld-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Joel Sternfeld<\/strong><\/a> shares how when the photographer makes an image, he or she is interpreting the world:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dPhotography has always been capable of manipulation. Anytime you put a frame to the world, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s an interpretation. I could get my camera and point it at two people and not point it at the homeless third person to the right of the frame, or not include the murder that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s going on to the left of the frame.&#8221; &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/02\/14\/6-lessons-joel-sternfeld-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Joel Sternfeld<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/04\/07\/18-lessons-richard-kalvar-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Richard Kalvar<\/strong><\/a>, a master Magnum photographer, also shares the importance of having mystery behind your shots and not explaining them:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s tempting to satisfy people\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s curiosity as to what was \u00e2\u20ac\u0153really going on\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in a scene, but it always leaves a bad taste in my mouth. If there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a mystery, the viewer should try to unravel it for him- or herself, subjectively, through intelligence, imagination and association. I want people to keep looking, not just move on to the next thing.&#8221; &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/04\/07\/18-lessons-richard-kalvar-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Richard Kalvar<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>One of the biggest takeaways we can get from <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/04\/07\/18-lessons-richard-kalvar-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Richard Kalvar<\/a>?<\/p>\n<p>Don&#8217;t make the mystery or drama too obvious to your viewer. Let them follow their curiosity, by analyzing your images, and trying to unfold the mystery themselves.<\/p>\n<h2>32. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Open\u00e2\u20ac\u009d vs \u00e2\u20ac\u0153closed\u00e2\u20ac\u009d photos<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26767\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26767\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26767\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/dark-skies-over-tokyo-5\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Dark-Skies-Over-Tokyo-5.jpg?fit=4616%2C3072&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"4616,3072\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;4&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;M9 Digital Camera&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1322718432&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;35&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;800&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.083333333333333&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Dark Skies Over Tokyo-5\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Tokyo, 2012&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Dark-Skies-Over-Tokyo-5.jpg?fit=2000%2C1331&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26767\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Dark-Skies-Over-Tokyo-5-2000x1331.jpg?resize=2000%2C1331\" alt=\"Tokyo, 2012\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1331\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Dark-Skies-Over-Tokyo-5.jpg?resize=2000%2C1331&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Dark-Skies-Over-Tokyo-5.jpg?resize=660%2C439&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Dark-Skies-Over-Tokyo-5.jpg?resize=768%2C511&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Dark-Skies-Over-Tokyo-5.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26767\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Tokyo, 2012<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In photography, there tends to be two types of images: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153open\u00e2\u20ac\u009d photos and \u00e2\u20ac\u0153closed\u00e2\u20ac\u009d photos.<\/p>\n<h3>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Open\u00e2\u20ac\u009d photos<\/h3>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Open\u00e2\u20ac\u009d photos are open to interpretation; which means the viewer can make up his or her own story in their head. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Open\u00e2\u20ac\u009d photos tend to be more memorable and engaging.<\/p>\n<h3>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Closed\u00e2\u20ac\u009d photos<\/h3>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Closed\u00e2\u20ac\u009d photos are closed to interpretation. A \u00e2\u20ac\u0153closed\u00e2\u20ac\u009d photo can only be interpreted in one way. Generally \u00e2\u20ac\u0153closed\u00e2\u20ac\u009d photos are forgettable; the viewer looks at the image once and has no reason to look at it again.<\/p>\n<p>Here are some assignments you can try out:<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment #1: Make an \u00e2\u20ac\u0153open\u00e2\u20ac\u009d photo<\/h3>\n<p>Make a photograph without a clear explanation. Intentionally try to use blur, out of focus effects, a flash, high contrast black and white, or cut out limbs or body parts.<\/p>\n<p>Make an image difficult to interpret, and ask your friends or viewers to come up with their own story. Capture people with strong body gestures or emotions, and don&#8217;t make it clear what exactly is going on.<\/p>\n<p>Make a mystery out of your photos, in which the viewer has to be the detective.<\/p>\n<h3>Assignment #2: Make a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153closed\u00e2\u20ac\u009d photo<\/h3>\n<p>Sometimes when you&#8217;re doing documentary or photojournalism photography, you don&#8217;t your photos open to interpretation. You want it to share a specific viewpoint.<\/p>\n<p>In this case, you want a detailed description or caption, for the viewer not to be misled. But street photography is more about creating your own interpretation of the world, rather than trying to capture some &#8220;objective&#8221; reality.<\/p>\n<p>Don&#8217;t forget that the more ambiguous or open-ended you make your images, the more fun and engaging it will be for the viewer.<\/p>\n<h2>33. Kill your ego<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26768\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26768\" style=\"width: 1545px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26768\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/img_1283-4\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1283.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1545,1024\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"IMG_1283\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Berlin, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1283.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26768\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1283.jpg?resize=1545%2C1024\" alt=\"Berlin, 2015\" width=\"1545\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1283.jpg?w=1545&amp;ssl=1 1545w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1283.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1283.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26768\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Berlin, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dI wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t talk about the photographs. No, I try to separate myself completely from what I do. I try to step back to look at them as somebody who has nothing to do with them.&#8221; &#8211;&nbsp; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/11\/25\/7-lessons-josef-koudelka-taught-photography-life\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Josef Koudelka<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>We can let our ego get in the way of our photography. We think our photos are like our children, and we become too emotionally attached to them (even if they are bad photos). We need to learn how to \u00e2\u20ac\u0153<a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/08\/18\/kill-your-babies\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>kill our babies<\/strong><\/a>.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n<p>I have a difficult time overcoming my attachments to my photos. When people critique my photos, I feel like they&#8217;re critiquing me as a human being.<\/p>\n<p>Remember: you are not your photos. When people critique or criticize your photos, they aren&#8217;t criticizing you. They&#8217;re just judging your photos.<\/p>\n<p>One of the best ways to overcome this is to detach your ego from your photos. By detaching your ego from your photos, you can judge them more honestly and objectively.<\/p>\n<p>When you want feedback on your photos, ask people, &#8220;Please be straightforward and give the photos a brutally honest critique.&#8221; Also when critiquing your own work, imagine that they were shot by someone else.<\/p>\n<p>Edit ruthlessly, and kill your ego from the process.<\/p>\n<h2>34. Stay humble<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26769\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26769\" style=\"width: 1545px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26769\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/img_1499-3\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1499.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1545,1024\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"IMG_1499\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Berkeley, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1499.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26769\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1499.jpg?resize=1545%2C1024\" alt=\"Berkeley, 2015\" width=\"1545\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1499.jpg?w=1545&amp;ssl=1 1545w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1499.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1499.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26769\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Berkeley, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dThe biggest danger for a photographer is if they start thinking they are important.&#8221; &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/03\/02\/5-lessons-sebastiao-salgado-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sebasti\u00c3\u00a3o Salgado<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Sometimes it is easy to get self-absorbed in our photography. Remember, if you feel you are an expert, and know everything &#8212; you can no longer learn.<\/p>\n<p>Always stay humble, keep your mind open to the suggestions of others, and embrace &#8220;beginner&#8217;s mind.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Listen to what others have to say, but ultimately you need to make your decisions in your photography for yourself.<\/p>\n<h2>35. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t hesitate<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26770\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26770\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26770\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/16-9\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/16.jpg?fit=5212%2C3468&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"5212,3468\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;4&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;M9 Digital Camera&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1317937423&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;35&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;400&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.33333333333333&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"16\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Downtown LA, 2012&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/16.jpg?fit=2000%2C1331&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26770\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/16-2000x1331.jpg?resize=2000%2C1331\" alt=\"Downtown LA, 2012\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1331\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/16.jpg?resize=2000%2C1331&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/16.jpg?resize=660%2C439&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/16.jpg?resize=768%2C511&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/16.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26770\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Downtown LA, 2012<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>I have always been drawn to badasses, characters, and tattoos. Partly because I grew up not being confident in my own masculinity, so whenever I see those who I think are tough, I am naturally drawn to them.<\/p>\n<p>I saw this man in Downtown LA, and I was absolutely frightened to approach and photograph him. However I mustered up the courage to approach him, and ask to make a few portraits of him.<\/p>\n<p>Even though he looked scary, he was extremely friendly and had no problem with me taking his photo. I shot two photos with a flash on my camera, and I am glad that I followed my gut and intuition in asking him for the shot.<\/p>\n<p>If you see what you think might be a good photo, never hesitate; and just go for it. Live life without regrets.<\/p>\n<h2>36. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t try to be someone else<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26771\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26771\" style=\"width: 1325px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26771\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/10-9\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/10.jpg?fit=2970%2C4484&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2970,4484\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;GR&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1420334039&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;1600&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.00025&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"10\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Downtown LA, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/10.jpg?fit=1325%2C2000&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26771\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/10-1325x2000.jpg?resize=1325%2C2000\" alt=\"Downtown LA, 2015\" width=\"1325\" height=\"2000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/10.jpg?resize=1325%2C2000&amp;ssl=1 1325w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/10.jpg?resize=437%2C660&amp;ssl=1 437w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/10.jpg?resize=768%2C1159&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/10.jpg?w=2000&amp;ssl=1 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26771\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Downtown LA, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dPhotograph who you are!&#8221; &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/08\/24\/5-lessons-bruce-gilden-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bruce Gilden<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>One of the most polarizing street photographers is <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/08\/24\/5-lessons-bruce-gilden-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Bruce Gilden<\/strong><\/a>. Love him or hate him, he is true to who he is. He was born and raised in the concrete jungle of New York City, and he professes that his father was a &#8220;gangster type.&#8221; Bruce has an attitude, shoots up close and personal with a flash and 28mm, and is unapologetic about how he shoots or his work.<\/p>\n<p>A lot of people criticize him for exploiting his subjects, or <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2011\/06\/24\/bruce-gilden-asshole-or-genius\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">being an asshole<\/a>. Personally I&#8217;ve met him and I would say that he stays true to who he is: a rough, tough, no bullshit human being. But at the same time, he has a lot of empathy for the people he photographs:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dI love the people I photograph. I mean, they&#8217;re my friends. I&#8217;ve never met most of them or I don&#8217;t know them at all, yet through my images I live with them. At the same time, they are symbols. The people in my pictures aren&#8217;t Mr. Jones or Mr. Smith or whatever; they&#8217;re someone that crossed my path or I&#8217;ve crossed their path, and through the medium of photography I&#8217;ve been able to make a good picture of that encounter. They have a life of their own, but they are also are symbols. I would say that I respect the viewer, but I don&#8217;t want to tell him everything.&#8221; &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/08\/24\/5-lessons-bruce-gilden-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bruce Gilden<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>When I started shooting street photography, I tried to imitate <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/12\/09\/17-lessons-henri-cartier-bresson-taught-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Henri Cartier-Bresson<\/a> (who was extremely introverted and didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t like to interact with his subjects).<\/p>\n<p>But the problem is that I wasn&#8217;t being true to myself. I didn&#8217;t photograph who I was. I was imitating a photographer whose personality and worldview was completely different from mine.<\/p>\n<p>Over the past several years I discovered my style in street photography reflected who I was as a human being: social, chatty, and engaging with others.<\/p>\n<p>At heart I am an extrovert (I am an \u00e2\u20ac\u0153<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/ESFP\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">ESFP<\/a>\u00e2\u20ac\u009d according to the Myers-Briggs personality test). Ultimately I prefer engaging with my subjects when photographing them (as Bruce Gilden often does), and I prefer to shoot closely and prefer physical intimacy through proximity.<\/p>\n<p>There is no &#8220;right&#8221; or &#8220;wrong&#8221; way to shoot street photography. You need to shoot who you are. What makes your personality unique? If you prefer not to interact with your subjects, shoot from a distance and be candid.<\/p>\n<p>If you&#8217;re extroverted and like conversation, don&#8217;t be afraid to talk with your subjects.<\/p>\n<p>The ancient Greeks said: &#8220;<em>Know thyself<\/em>.&#8221; Similarly, know thyself in street photography. Shoot what suits your personality, mood, and temperament, and disregard what everyone else says or does.<\/p>\n<h2>37. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t repeat yourself<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26772\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26772\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26772\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/11-11\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/11.jpg?fit=3936%2C2608&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3936,2608\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;GR&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1420341190&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;1600&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.00025&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"11\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Downtown LA, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/11.jpg?fit=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26772\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/11-2000x1325.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325\" alt=\"Downtown LA, 2015\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1325\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/11.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/11.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/11.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/11.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26772\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Downtown LA, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dWhen I went out of Czechoslovakia I experienced two changes: The first one is that there wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t this situation any longer. I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t need wide-angle lenses. And I had understood the technique very well, I was repeating myself, and I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m not interested in repetition, I wanted to change. I took a 50mm\/35mm Leica. The second change was that I started to travel the world. I had this possibility and I had a look at this world.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/03\/10-lessons-josef-koudelka-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Josef Koudelka<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>There is always a fine line between repetition and variety as a photographer and artist. On one hand you want repetition and consistency in your work to give you a certain style or voice. On the other hand, you want variety in your work to prevent yourself (and viewer) from getting bored.<\/p>\n<p>When <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/03\/10-lessons-josef-koudelka-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Josef Koudelka<\/strong><\/a> worked on his &#8220;<a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/01\/30\/street-photography-book-review-gypsies-by-josef-koudelka\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Gypsies<\/strong><\/a>&#8221; project, he traveled and lived with the Roma people for around ten years. He shot it all on a SLR and a 25mm lens. This helped him shoot in cramped quarters, and create an intimate document of the life of the Roma people.<\/p>\n<p>When Koudelka was done with the project, he realized that he no longer needed to repeat himself. Therefore he just ended up exploring and traveling the world with a 35mm\/50mm Leica. Koudelka wanted to also switch up the subject matter that he photographed:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to reach the point from where I wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know how to go further. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s good to set limits for oneself, but there comes a moment when we must destroy what we have constructed.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/03\/10-lessons-josef-koudelka-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Josef Koudelka<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>There is a concept called &#8220;creative destruction&#8221; in art and life. The idea is that you need a framework to keep you inspired and creative in your artwork. But at a certain stage, this framework can become more of a cage. Once this happens, you must break out of your cage.<\/p>\n<h2>38. Ask for permission<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26773\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26773\" style=\"width: 1325px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26773\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/21790409488_3cebe76a88_o\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/21790409488_3cebe76a88_o.jpg?fit=3264%2C4928&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3264,4928\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;GR&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1443091323&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;250&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.004&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"21790409488_3cebe76a88_o\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;SF, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/21790409488_3cebe76a88_o.jpg?fit=1325%2C2000&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26773\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/21790409488_3cebe76a88_o-1325x2000.jpg?resize=1325%2C2000\" alt=\"SF, 2015\" width=\"1325\" height=\"2000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/21790409488_3cebe76a88_o.jpg?resize=1325%2C2000&amp;ssl=1 1325w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/21790409488_3cebe76a88_o.jpg?resize=437%2C660&amp;ssl=1 437w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/21790409488_3cebe76a88_o.jpg?resize=768%2C1160&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/21790409488_3cebe76a88_o.jpg?w=2000&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/21790409488_3cebe76a88_o.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26773\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">SF, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I carried this little album of my work. I have three choices. If I see someone in this beautiful mood, I&#8217;ll go up to them and ask them, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d like to take a picture of that mood. If they say yes, I ask if they can get back into that mood. Not everyone can do that. Or, if the said no, then I took out the album and they saw the work. Or I took it, and ran like hell. I had those three choices in the subway.&#8221; &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/10\/15-lessons-bruce-davidson-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bruce Davidson<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/10\/15-lessons-bruce-davidson-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Bruce Davidson<\/strong><\/a> is a photographer who isn&#8217;t afraid to ask for permission. He is a street photographer who has deep empathy for his subjects, and tries to make imagery that connects with them.<\/p>\n<p>Davidson\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s first body of work was &#8220;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.magnumphotos.com\/C.aspx?VP3=SearchResult&amp;ALID=2K7O3RP0468\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>East 100th Street<\/strong><\/a>,&#8221; in which he documented impoverished individuals and families with uncompromising sincerity and love with a large-format camera. He would visit the neighborhood over and over again, before he was able to build trust with his subjects. One thing that helped him was that he printed photos of the people he shot and gave it to the subjects in the neighborhood, rather than just taking shots and running away.<\/p>\n<p>After that project, he started to work on photograph the gritty subways of NYC in color, using an SLR and a flash in the 1980\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s.<\/p>\n<p>If you see Davidson&#8217;s images in his &#8220;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/1597111945\/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=1597111945&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=erikimstrpho-20&amp;linkId=X66GX3HBGUTVNP6L\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Subway<\/strong><\/a>&#8221; book, most of them look candid and without permission. But in reality, Davidson asked a lot of his subjects for permission. Davidson describes his approach:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Often I would just approach the person: \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcExcuse me, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m doing a book on the subway and would like to take a photograph of you. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll send you a print.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 If they hesitated, I would pull out my portfolio and show them my subway work; if they said no, it was no forever. Sometimes, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d take the picture, then apologize, explaining that the mood was so stunning I couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t break it, and hoped they didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t mind. There were times I would take the pictures without saying anything at all. But even with this last approach, my flash made my presence known. When it went off, everyone in the car knew that an event was taking place\u00e2\u20ac\u201c the spotlight was on someone. It also announced to any potential thieves that there was a camera around. Well aware of that I often changed cars after taking pictures.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/10\/15-lessons-bruce-davidson-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bruce Davidson<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Davidson didn&#8217;t always ask for permission. But shooting candidly would sometimes draw unnecessary attention:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dSometimes, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d take the picture, then apologize, explaining that the mood was so stunning I couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t break it, and hoped they didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t mind. There were times I would take the pictures without saying anything at all. But even with this last approach, my flash made my presence known. When it went off, everyone in the car knew that an event was taking place- the spotlight was on someone.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/10\/15-lessons-bruce-davidson-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bruce Davidson<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Know that there is no reason you should be afraid of asking for permission. The worst case scenario is that someone will say &#8220;no&#8221; upon you asking them.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/02\/20\/8-lessons-zoe-strauss-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Zoe Strauss<\/strong><\/a>, a contemporary Magnum Photographer also has to deal with a lot of rejection in her work when asking for permission:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve stopped hundreds of people and asked to make their photo. If it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s an up-close portrait, I always ask the person if I can take the photo. Often the answer is \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcno\u00e2\u20ac\u2122.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/02\/20\/8-lessons-zoe-strauss-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Zoe Strauss<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Asking for permission is incredibly difficult. You make yourself vulnerable to rejection, which is scary and intimidating.<\/p>\n<p>The wonderful thing about asking for permission is that the image-making process becomes more a collaboration between two individuals, rather than the photographer simply &#8220;stealing&#8221; an image from the subject.<\/p>\n<p>If you are afraid of approaching strangers and shooting their photo without permission, start off by asking. The more you ask and the more you get rejected, the more confidence you will build. Not only that, but you will improve your people skills when people do eventually say &#8220;yes.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Here is some practical advice when asking for permission:<\/p>\n<h3>a) Compliment your subject<\/h3>\n<p>When you first approach your subject, start off by complimenting them by telling why you want to photograph them. For example, it can be the color of their hair or eyes, their outfit, their earrings, or sunglasses. In the past I have said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Excuse me sir, I absolutely love your face. Do you mind if I made a portrait of you?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d with great success.<\/p>\n<p>If you find someone who looks a bit down on his\/her luck yet still want to make a photo of them, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t give a fake compliment. However you can say something positive like, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Excuse me sir, you look like you have one hell of a life story. Do you mind if I made a portrait of you?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n<h3>b) \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Making\u00e2\u20ac\u009d vs \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Taking\u00e2\u20ac\u009d a photo<\/h3>\n<p>I have also found that by saying \u00e2\u20ac\u0153making\u00e2\u20ac\u009d a photo (instead of \u00e2\u20ac\u0153taking\u00e2\u20ac\u009d a photo), I get more people to say yes. Why is that? \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Making\u00e2\u20ac\u009d a photo is a more collaborative and creative process (this is what Europeans say). \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Taking\u00e2\u20ac\u009d a photo almost sounds like you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re stealing somebody\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s soul.<\/p>\n<h3>c) \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Portrait\u00e2\u20ac\u009d vs \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Picture\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/h3>\n<p>By asking to make someone\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s \u00e2\u20ac\u0153portrait\u00e2\u20ac\u009d not \u00e2\u20ac\u0153picture,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d subjects are much more willing. What is the difference? \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Portrait\u00e2\u20ac\u009d sounds much more regal and respectful. Most people would be honored to have their \u00e2\u20ac\u0153portrait\u00e2\u20ac\u009d made. However \u00e2\u20ac\u0153picture\u00e2\u20ac\u009d sounds more creepy and unprofessional.<\/p>\n<h3>d) Show them your LCD screen<\/h3>\n<p>If your subject says \u00e2\u20ac\u0153yes\u00e2\u20ac\u009d to being photographed, make them part of the image-making process by showing them the LCD screen. Ask them which shot they like the best, and even offer to email them the photo.<\/p>\n<h3>e) Ask them about their life story<\/h3>\n<p>Generally when I approach people and don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have anything to say, I ask them \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What is your life story?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d as an ice-breaker. This opens up so many amazing stories, and you can always find some common ground. By paving this path, you can find a way to connect with any stranger on the streets, and also share some of your life story with them too.<\/p>\n<p>As an example, I met this interesting character in the Mission in San Francisco while out shooting with a student. We chatted with him for about 10 minutes before taking his image. Once we started to talk about his life story, he totally dropped his guard:<\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26774\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/orange-beard-contact-1\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Orange-Beard-Contact-1.jpg?fit=2550%2C3300&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2550,3300\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Orange Beard Contact-1\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Orange-Beard-Contact-1.jpg?fit=1545%2C2000&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-26774\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Orange-Beard-Contact-1-1545x2000.jpg?resize=1545%2C2000\" alt=\"Orange Beard Contact-1\" width=\"1545\" height=\"2000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Orange-Beard-Contact-1.jpg?resize=1545%2C2000&amp;ssl=1 1545w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Orange-Beard-Contact-1.jpg?resize=510%2C660&amp;ssl=1 510w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Orange-Beard-Contact-1.jpg?resize=768%2C994&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Orange-Beard-Contact-1.jpg?w=2000&amp;ssl=1 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>I took 69 photos of him in total, and it wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t until the last photo that I made which I felt showed his character. I loved his orange beard, and the soft robin-egg blue of his eyes. Even though he was a rough character who was homeless, we made a connection. I ended up giving him a print, which brought him immense amounts of joy.<\/p>\n<h2>39. Try to get rejected<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26776\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26776\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26776\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/r0131318-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0131318.jpg?fit=4928%2C3264&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"4928,3264\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;7.1&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;GR&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1427918390&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;1600&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0003125&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"R0131318\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Toronto, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0131318.jpg?fit=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26776\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0131318-2000x1325.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325\" alt=\"Toronto, 2015\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1325\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0131318.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0131318.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0131318.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0131318.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26776\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Toronto, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>We often fear the rejection more than the rejection itself.<\/p>\n<p>If you want to quickly break out of your shell in street photography, start off by asking for permission. The goal is by the end of the day, you want 10 people to say &#8220;yes&#8221; being photographed, and 10 people saying &#8220;no&#8221; to being photographed.<\/p>\n<p>If your subject says \u00e2\u20ac\u0153yes,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d take at least 10 photos of them, and show them the LCD afterwards. Even offer to email it to them.<\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26777\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/0-toronto-street-portrait-contact-copy\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/0-toronto-street-portrait-contact-copy.jpg?fit=1312%2C627&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1312,627\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"0 &amp;#8211; toronto street portrait contact copy\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/0-toronto-street-portrait-contact-copy.jpg?fit=1312%2C627&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-26777\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/0-toronto-street-portrait-contact-copy.jpg?resize=1312%2C627\" alt=\"0 - toronto street portrait contact copy\" width=\"1312\" height=\"627\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/0-toronto-street-portrait-contact-copy.jpg?w=1312&amp;ssl=1 1312w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/0-toronto-street-portrait-contact-copy.jpg?resize=660%2C315&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/0-toronto-street-portrait-contact-copy.jpg?resize=768%2C367&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><br>\nYou can also ask your subject which photo of them they prefer. This engages your subject, and makes them more comfortable being photographed.<\/p>\n<h2>40. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t define yourself<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26778\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26778\" style=\"width: 1545px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26778\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/img_1509-7\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1509.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1545,1024\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"IMG_1509\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Kettleman City, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1509.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26778\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1509.jpg?resize=1545%2C1024\" alt=\"Kettleman City, 2015\" width=\"1545\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1509.jpg?w=1545&amp;ssl=1 1545w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1509.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1509.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26778\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Kettleman City, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh people you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re a documentary photographer. I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t even know what that means. Oh people say you are a photojournalist. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m rarely published in journals. Oh then yore a fine art photographer. Then I say I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m not. I aspire to be a fine photographer.&#8221; &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/10\/15-lessons-bruce-davidson-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bruce Davidson<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t become pigeon-holed by definitions in photography (especially in \u00e2\u20ac\u0153street photography\u00e2\u20ac\u009d). Most of the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153street photographers\u00e2\u20ac\u009d profiled in this book never call themselves \u00e2\u20ac\u0153street photographers.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Street photography\u00e2\u20ac\u009d is just an easy blanket term we can use to describe the type of public photos of people we make (to differentiate ourselves from nature and landscape photographers).<\/p>\n<p>Photography is photography. Some days you might want to shoot \u00e2\u20ac\u0153street photography,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d and on other days you might want to shoot your friends, family, or sunsets.<\/p>\n<p>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t let definitions hold you back. Disregard labels that others try to put on you.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/10\/15-lessons-bruce-davidson-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Bruce Davidson<\/strong><\/a> is often characterized as a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153documentary\u00e2\u20ac\u009d or \u00e2\u20ac\u0153street\u00e2\u20ac\u009d photographer. Some of his work is \u00e2\u20ac\u0153documentary\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in the sense that he spends a lot of time with the same subjects. Some of his work is \u00e2\u20ac\u0153street photography\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in the sense that sometimes he shoots photos of subjects candidly, in public spaces.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/10\/15-lessons-bruce-davidson-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bruce Davidson<\/a> sees himself as a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153humanist\u00e2\u20ac\u009d that happens to take photos, rather than being any sort of \u00e2\u20ac\u0153photographer.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n<p>You are a human being that is interested in life. Just think of yourself as an individual that loves life, and just happens to take photos.<\/p>\n<p>Once you shed external definitions, this opens up your view to the world. No longer do you not shoot certain subject matter because it isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t \u00e2\u20ac\u0153street photography.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n<p>Photograph anything that remotely interests you. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t worry if the photo might be a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153cliche\u00e2\u20ac\u009d or \u00e2\u20ac\u0153boring.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d You don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t need to publish all the photos you take. And if you shoot digitally, there is no downside to making extra photos.<\/p>\n<p>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t aim to be a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153street photographer\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, aim to be a great photographer. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t ask photographers whether they think your photos are \u00e2\u20ac\u0153street photography\u00e2\u20ac\u009d or not. Simply ask them whether the images you make emotionally move them.<\/p>\n<p>Why do photographers like to define one another and stick them into boxes? It makes others feel comfortable about themselves.<\/p>\n<p>By putting other photographers into boxes, you feel more secure about yourself. This is a greedy and selfish thing to do that imposes your own definition onto others. Human beings are uncomfortable with unambiguity, and they always want to see where they are in comparison to you.<\/p>\n<p>I often get ridiculed that I am not a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153street photographer.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Rather than arguing with them, I just resort to self-deprecating humor by saying, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re right, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m not a street photographer, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m just an Asian tourist with a camera.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n<p>To be a better photographer, be more interested in your fellow human beings:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m just a humanist. I just photograph the human condition as I find it. It can be serious. It can also be ironic or humorous. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m political, but not in an overt way.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/10\/15-lessons-bruce-davidson-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bruce Davidson<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Even <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/08\/10-things-garry-winogrand-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Garry Winogrand<\/a> hated the term &#8220;street photographer.&#8221; In one interview he joked that when people asked him what kind of photographer he was, he would just that that he was a &#8220;zoo photographer.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>To sum up, aim to love people first, and then focus on photography afterwards. I believe that it is more important to make connections with people than to make photos.<\/p>\n<h2>41. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t stop your projects too soon<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26779\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26779\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26779\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/suits-3-8\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-3.jpg?fit=3087%2C2048&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3087,2048\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Suits-3\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;NYC, 2013&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-3.jpg?fit=2000%2C1327&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26779\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-3-2000x1327.jpg?resize=2000%2C1327\" alt=\"NYC, 2013\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1327\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-3.jpg?resize=2000%2C1327&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-3.jpg?resize=660%2C438&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-3.jpg?resize=768%2C510&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-3.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26779\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">NYC, 2013<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I find that young people tend to stop too soon. They mimic something they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve seen, but they don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t stay long enough. If you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re going to photograph anything, you have to spend a long time with it so your subconscious has a chance to bubble to the surface.&#8221; &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/10\/15-lessons-bruce-davidson-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bruce Davidson<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>One of the problems that many photographers starting off is that they stop their photography projects too soon. They quickly get bored before really delving deep into their subject matter, theme, or concepts.<\/p>\n<p>A truly great photography project require time, depth, consideration, hard work, sweat, passion, and endurance.<\/p>\n<p>For example for Bruce Davidson&#8217;s &#8220;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/1597111945\/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=1597111945&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=erikimstrpho-20&amp;linkId=X66GX3HBGUTVNP6L\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Subway<\/strong><\/a>&#8221; project, he rode the subway nearly every single day (at random hours in the day) for two years straight. By spending so much time in the subway, he became part of the subway. He learned the nuances of the subway, was able to capture different types of subject matter, and a variety of images.<\/p>\n<p>The problem with modern day society is that we often suffer from \u00e2\u20ac\u0153photographic ADD&#8221;; we can&#8217;t concentrate on one project, vision, or subject matter. We quickly flit from one fashionable type of photography to another.<\/p>\n<p>Growing a strong photography project is like growing a tree. You need to start off with a strong foundation, and you need to plant a seed and give it lots of water, light, and love. It takes a long time for a seed to sprout into a great tree.<\/p>\n<p>Look at all the great redwood trees, and imagine the thousands of years they needed to grow to the height they currently exist.<\/p>\n<p>The mistake many photographers do is that they prematurely pull their seeds out of the ground. They don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t let their seeds germinate long enough to lay down roots, and grow. If you are constantly re-planting your seed, it will never grow to incredible heights.<\/p>\n<p>How do you find a photographic project that is interesting? <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/10\/15-lessons-bruce-davidson-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bruce Davidson<\/a> gives great advice for aspiring photographers:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dIf I were a student right now and I had a teacher like me I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d say, \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcYou have to carry your camera everyday and take a picture everyday. And by the end of the week you should have 36 pictures exposed. And then suddenly you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll latch onto someone, maybe a street vendor- oh he or she is very interesting I might have to be with him or her. So things open up visually.&#8221; &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/10\/15-lessons-bruce-davidson-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bruce Davidson<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<figure id=\"attachment_22895\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22895\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"22895\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/03\/09\/6-lessons-dorothea-lange-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/migrant-mother-dorothea-lange\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/migrant-mother-dorothea-lange.jpg?fit=610%2C800&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"610,800\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"migrant mother-dorothea lange\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/migrant-mother-dorothea-lange.jpg?fit=610%2C800&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"wp-image-22895 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/migrant-mother-dorothea-lange-610x800.jpg?resize=610%2C800\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 610px) 100vw, 610px\" srcset=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/migrant-mother-dorothea-lange-503x660.jpg 503x, http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/migrant-mother-dorothea-lange.jpg 610x\" alt=\"migrant mother-dorothea lange\" width=\"610\" height=\"800\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-22895\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Migrant mother \/ Dorothea Lange<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/03\/09\/6-lessons-dorothea-lange-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Dorothea Lange<\/strong><\/a>, the famous photographer of &#8220;migrant mother&#8221; also shares the philosophy of working your theme until exhaustion, and not giving up too soon:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Pick a theme and work it to exhaustion\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 the subject must be something you truly love or truly hate. [\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6] Photographers stop photographing a subject too soon before they have exhausted the possibilities.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/03\/09\/6-lessons-dorothea-lange-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dorothea Lange<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>When you&#8217;re working on a project, don&#8217;t stop too soon. Keep working your theme over a long period of time. The more depth you have with your project, the more unique and meaningful you will make it.<\/p>\n<p>A practical tip? Think decades for your photography project, not years, months, or days.<\/p>\n<h2>42. Take shitty photos<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26780\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26780\" style=\"width: 1545px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26780\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/img_0949-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_0949.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1545,1024\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;QSS-32_33&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"IMG_0949\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Stockholm, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_0949.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26780\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_0949.jpg?resize=1545%2C1024\" alt=\"Stockholm, 2015\" width=\"1545\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_0949.jpg?w=1545&amp;ssl=1 1545w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_0949.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_0949.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26780\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Stockholm, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You shoot a lot of shit and you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re bound to come up with a few good ones.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/02\/10\/12-lessons-trent-parke-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Trent Parke<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be a perfectionist in your photography. If you seek perfection, it might lead to \u00e2\u20ac\u0153<a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/05\/12\/free-e-book-how-to-overcome-photographers-block\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>photographer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s block<\/strong><\/a>.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n<p>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t get caught up in your ideas for your photography projects. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t worry about the small details; just go out and shoot and figure out the details later.<\/p>\n<p>A lot of perfectionists shoot themselves in the foot because every time they go out and shoot, they expect all their shots to be great. But friend remember that the more &#8220;shit&#8221; you shoot, the more likely you are to get a great shot.<\/p>\n<p>I am constantly disappointed in my photography, especially when I shoot digitally. Why is that? Because I set unrealistic expectations for myself, and I look at my photos too soon (the same day).<\/p>\n<p>Most master photographers I have talked to only admit to making one good photo a month, and one great shot a year. The chance of me making a good photo in a day is extremely low.<\/p>\n<p>This is a benefit of shooting film: I generally get my film processed once every 6 months-1 year. This means that I am more likely to get a great shot, which leads to less disappointment.<\/p>\n<p>With digital, I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have the mental fortitude to wait so long.<\/p>\n<p>Remember that the more risks you take, the more likely you are to take a great shot. To live life without taking any risks is to never have the chance to be great. Wayne Gretzky, one of the best hockey players of all time once said:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dYou miss 100% of the shots you don&#8217;t take.&#8221; &#8211; Wayne Gretzsky<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>If you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t take any photos of a scene you find interesting, your chance of making a good photo is 0%. The more risks you take, you are slightly more likely to make an image you are happy with.<\/p>\n<p>Don&#8217;t be afraid to shoot shitty photos. In-fact, intentionally try to shoot a lot of \u00e2\u20ac\u0153shit.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d To be frank, I think it is impossible to shoot 100,000 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153shitty\u00e2\u20ac\u009d photos in a row. You are bound to get a good one along the line.<\/p>\n<p>I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t mean for you to put your camera to burst mode and just \u00e2\u20ac\u0153machine gun\u00e2\u20ac\u009d everything you see. Rather, try to shoot 10,000 photos intentionally, and try to make good shots. But the secret is to have no expectations of making any good photos.<\/p>\n<p>The higher the expectations you set for yourself, the more pressure you will put on yourself, and the less likely you are to make a good shot. It is kind of like going on a first date: trying too hard to impress your date will actually make them less interested in you.<\/p>\n<p>Remember to separate the shooting\/editing phase in photography. When you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re out on the streets, just shoot anything you find interesting. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t put any restrictions on your shooting.<\/p>\n<p>Once you go home and download your photos to your computer, be a brutal editor. Be ruthless. <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/08\/18\/kill-your-babies\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Kill your babies<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>As a general rule of thumb, only expect to make one good street photograph a month.<\/p>\n<p>Never forget how difficult street photography is; it is the most difficult genre of photography that exists. No other form of photography requires courage to approach strangers, to compose your frame well, and to also have the stamina to \u00e2\u20ac\u0153<a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/01\/29\/video-lecture-why-it-is-important-to-work-the-scene-in-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>work the scene<\/strong><\/a>.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n<p>Not only that, but so much of what happens in street photography is fleeting and random. There is so little we can control in street photography; we can only control where to stand and when to click the shutter.<\/p>\n<p>Remember if you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t get the shot, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t make excuses. There are certain scenes in which there is nothing else you can do in terms of making a better shot. For example, you might have been in a very cramped area, which prevented you from framing the scene better. But ultimately you have the control whether to \u00e2\u20ac\u0153keep\u00e2\u20ac\u009d or \u00e2\u20ac\u0153ditch\u00e2\u20ac\u009d your shot.<\/p>\n<p>I honestly feel that 90% of photography is about being a good editor of your own work (choosing your best shots), rather than just making good images.<\/p>\n<p>With modern digital cameras, making a technically competent photo is very easy (especially if you shoot in \u00e2\u20ac\u0153P\u00e2\u20ac\u009d mode and RAW). \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Bad\u00e2\u20ac\u009d cameras don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t exist anymore.<\/p>\n<p>The biggest issue we have in modern photography is that there are too many images to look through. My friend <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/twocutedogs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Charlie Kirk<\/a> said it best:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153If you shoot film, you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re a photographer. If you shoot digital, you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re an editor.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/twocutedogs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Charlie Kirk<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Not to say film is better than digital; they are just different. With digital, you need to be even more brutal with your editing, because with film you end up shooting less.<\/p>\n<p>One great example of a master photographer is <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/02\/10\/12-lessons-trent-parke-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Trent Parke<\/strong><\/a> who is never satisfied with his work, and is always trying to take his work to the next level.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26781\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26781\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26781\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/trent_parke_moving-bus-sydney-cbd\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Trent_Parke_Moving-Bus-Sydney-CBD.jpg?fit=1024%2C684&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1024,684\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Trent_Parke_Moving-Bus-Sydney-CBD\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Trent Parke \/ Sydney. Martin Place, Moving bus. 2002. \/ (c) Magnum Photos&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Trent_Parke_Moving-Bus-Sydney-CBD.jpg?fit=1024%2C684&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26781\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Trent_Parke_Moving-Bus-Sydney-CBD.jpg?resize=1024%2C684\" alt=\"Trent Parke \/ Sydney. Martin Place, Moving bus. 2002. \/ (c) Magnum Photos\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Trent_Parke_Moving-Bus-Sydney-CBD.jpg?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Trent_Parke_Moving-Bus-Sydney-CBD.jpg?resize=660%2C441&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Trent_Parke_Moving-Bus-Sydney-CBD.jpg?resize=768%2C513&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26781\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Trent Parke \/ Sydney. Martin Place, Moving bus. 2002. \/ (c) Trent Parke \/ Magnum Photos<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>For example, one of Parke\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s most famous images of of dark silhouetted subjects against a bus in Sydney required him to visit the area 3-4 times a week for an entire month to capture. <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/02\/10\/12-lessons-trent-parke-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Trent Parke<\/a> explains:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dI shot a hundred rolls of film, but once I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d got that image I just couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t get anywhere near it again. That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s always a good sign: you know you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve got something special.&#8221; &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/02\/10\/12-lessons-trent-parke-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Trent Parke<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>One of the lessons I learned from a Magnum workshop I attended with <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/09\/23\/15-lessons-david-alan-harvey-taught-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">David Alan Harvey<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/09\/22\/20-lessons-constantine-manos-taught-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Constantine Manos<\/a> is this: the difference between a mediocre and great photographer is how bad they want the shot.<\/p>\n<p>A mediocre photographer will be satisfied with 1-2 photos of a scene. A great photographer will take 100-200 photos of a scene (to get the perfect image).<\/p>\n<p>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be afraid to make bad images. Diane Arbus explains how by taking \u00e2\u20ac\u0153bad\u00e2\u20ac\u009d photos we can learn:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Some pictures are tentative forays without your even knowing it. They become methods. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s important to take bad pictures. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the bad ones that have to do with what you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve never done before. They can make you recognize something you had seen in a way that will make you recognize it when you see it again.&#8221; &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/10\/15\/11-lessons-diane-arbus-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Diane Arbus<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h2>43. Chase the light<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26782\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26782\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26782\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/r0180744-3\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0180744.jpg?fit=4928%2C3264&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"4928,3264\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;GR&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1447516033&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;800&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.002&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"R0180744\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Downtown LA, 2015 #ricohgr&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0180744.jpg?fit=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26782\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0180744-2000x1325.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325\" alt=\"Downtown LA, 2015\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1325\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0180744.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0180744.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0180744.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0180744.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26782\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Downtown LA, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I am forever chasing light. Light turns the ordinary into the magical.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/02\/10\/12-lessons-trent-parke-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Trent Parke<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>The root of the word &#8220;photography&#8221; in Greek means &#8220;drawing with light.&#8221; Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t see yourself as a photographer, but as painter using a camera as your brush.<\/p>\n<p>As a rule, always follow the light. When you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re out shooting on the streets, try to find areas with dramatic contrast between the shadows and light. If you shoot during the middle of the day, you can adjust your camera to -2 exposure compensation to get very dark shadows, and well-exposed highlights.<\/p>\n<p>In post-processing, you can also \u00e2\u20ac\u0153crush the blacks\u00e2\u20ac\u009d by dragging the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153black\u00e2\u20ac\u009d slider to make even more contrasty black and white images.<\/p>\n<p>One thing I have discovered is that black and white looks good regardless of lighting situations. However color photographs look really bad when shot in poor light.<\/p>\n<p>For good inspiration of good light and color, study the work of <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/04\/10-things-alex-webb-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Alex Webb<\/strong><\/a>. As a rule, he doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t shoot when the light is poor and harsh. Therefore he either shoots early-morning (sunrise) or late-afternoon (sunset). He is the ultimate painter of light in color photography.<\/p>\n<p>What you can also do is this: during the day (when the light isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t good), use that time to scout locations. If you find a street corner that you find might be interesting, re-visit it when the sun starts to set, and then park yourself on that corner, and work the scene.<\/p>\n<p>Light turns the ordinary into the magical. A scene without good light can be boring. A scene with great light becomes something otherworldly.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re shooting at sunset, follow the light. As the sun starts to set, you will notice the rays of light will shift and move. Just follow the light.<\/p>\n<p>If you want to be more \u00e2\u20ac\u0153efficient\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in your street photography, limit your shooting only to \u00e2\u20ac\u0153golden hour\u00e2\u20ac\u009d (sunrise\/sunset). During the times when the light isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t good, either get a cup of coffee or take a nap.<\/p>\n<p>When the light is good, shoot like a madman.<\/p>\n<h2>44. Channel your personal emotions<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26783\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26783\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26783\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/l1036770-2-3\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/L1036770-2.jpg?fit=3916%2C2634&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3916,2634\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;19&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;M8 Digital Camera&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1448117664&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;640&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.002&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"L1036770-2\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Downtown LA, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/L1036770-2.jpg?fit=2000%2C1345&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26783\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/L1036770-2-2000x1345.jpg?resize=2000%2C1345\" alt=\"Downtown LA, 2015\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1345\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/L1036770-2.jpg?resize=2000%2C1345&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/L1036770-2.jpg?resize=660%2C444&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/L1036770-2.jpg?resize=768%2C517&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/L1036770-2.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26783\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Downtown LA, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dWhen I came to Sydney at the age of 21 I left everything behind &#8211; all my childhood friends and my best mate &#8211; at first I just felt this sense of complete loneliness in the big city. So, I did what I always do: I went out and used my Leica to channel those personal emotions into images.&#8221; &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/02\/10\/12-lessons-trent-parke-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Trent Parke<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>There is no \u00e2\u20ac\u0153objectivity\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in photography. As a photographer, you are a filter of reality. You decide what to include in the frame, and what not to include in the frame.<\/p>\n<p>Furthermore, you are also a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153subject selector.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d You filter what you find \u00e2\u20ac\u0153interesting\u00e2\u20ac\u009d and what you find \u00e2\u20ac\u0153boring.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n<p>There is no such thing as an objectively \u00e2\u20ac\u0153interesting\u00e2\u20ac\u009d image. What you find interesting might not be interesting to your viewer.<\/p>\n<p>For example, let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s say you took a photo of an African villager with exotic paint on their face. To you (assuming you are a Westerner) you might find it fascinating. But if you showed that to one of the fellow African villagers (who also wear the same exotic paint on their face), they wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t find it interesting.<\/p>\n<p>As viewers of images, we use our own personal background and story to interpret images. We use our prejudices, our pre-conceptions of the world, and interpret images based on our personal biases and views.<\/p>\n<p>How can we make emotional images that connect with our viewers, if photography is so subjective?<\/p>\n<p>My suggestion: <strong>shoot with your heart<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>There is no guarantees that your viewers will find your images interesting. But the more you shoot with your heart, the more likely you are to strike an emotional chord with your viewer as well.<\/p>\n<p>One photographer whose work I greatly admire is <a href=\"http:\/\/jtinseoul.wordpress.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Josh White<\/strong><\/a>, a friend of mine who shows his emotional scars through his photos. He is from Canada and has lived in Seoul for many years, and has blogged about his life experiences very publicly.<\/p>\n<p>The viewer of Josh\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s images don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t feel like outsiders; they feel like a part of his experiences. Furthermore, Josh writes with his heart on his sleeve (and also shoots from the heart). I feel like I have gotten to know Josh not only as a photographer but a human being through both his writing and images.<\/p>\n<p>Often photographers who deal with a lot of emotional hurt and turmoil end up creating great work. Think about all the famous artists who have created incredible work after suffering a death, a break up, or any other personal tragedy.<\/p>\n<p>Similarly, many artists have created great work when intensely happy things happen in their lives (birth of a child or a second-chance at life after a near-death accident).<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/jtinseoul.wordpress.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Trent Parke<\/a>, whose monochrome images bleed with emotion and mystery shares how he tries to infuse his personal images into his work:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dI\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m always trying to channel those personal emotions into my work. That is very different from a lot of documentary photographers who want to depict the city more objectively. For me it is very personal &#8211; it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s about what is inside me. I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think about what other people will make of it. I shoot for myself.&#8221; &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/jtinseoul.wordpress.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Trent Parke<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>I find that photography is one of the best ways of self-therapy. When I used to work a 9-5 job, and feeling stressed after answering 200+ emails, I would go walk around the block from my office and just take photos of strangers to relieve stress.<\/p>\n<p>When I channeled my emotions in my shooting, I could better relate and emphasize with my subjects on the streets. When I felt shitty and overwhelmed, I would see other people like that on the streets. When I felt excited and overjoyed, I could see that in the streets as well.<\/p>\n<p>In-fact, I could surmise that many street photographers treat street photography as &#8220;walking meditation&#8221; (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.rinziruizphotography.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Rinzi Ruiz<\/strong><\/a>, a good friend has taught me a lot about how he connects <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/06\/10\/free-e-book-zen-in-the-art-of-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Zen \u00e2\u20ac\u0153mindfulness\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/strong><\/a> and street photography).<\/p>\n<p>The more I shoot strangers, the more I discover and learn about myself. Every image I take of a stranger is a projection of my own emotions and beliefs upon them. Each image I shoot of a stranger is a self-portrait.<\/p>\n<p>I love the interactions that I gain through street photography. There is nothing more soothing than sharing my stresses, anxieties, and difficulties with strangers (ironically enough, strangers are more willing to listen to your life problems than your close friends).<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/02\/10\/12-lessons-trent-parke-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Trent Parke<\/a> has a similar philosophy, that photography is discovering yourself and your place in the world:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dMy mum died when I was 10 and it changed everything about me. It made me question everything around me. Photography is a discovery of life which makes you look at things you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve never looked at before. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s about discovering yourself and your place in the world.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/02\/10\/12-lessons-trent-parke-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Trent Parke<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/12\/26\/11-lessons-jacob-aue-sobol-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Jacob Aue Sobol<\/strong><\/a> is another Magnum Photographer who is intensely curious about his subjects. I am always amazed to see the access he is able to get with his subjects during intimate moments (even having sex). His goal with photography? Integrating his life experiences with love:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dThe year after I started at the European Film College, I started writing short stories and, later, taking pictures. Once I realized that I was able to isolate my emotions and communicate them through my pictures, I felt like I had found an ability which was unique and which I wanted to explore further. Now, a lot of experiences in life and the people I have shared my time with have added to my memories, my fear and my love, and through this they have inspired me to continue photographing.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/12\/26\/11-lessons-jacob-aue-sobol-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jacob Aue Sobol<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Photography enhances my life experiences. Without a camera I wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be as present. Furthermore, the camera helps record my emotions, memories, and feelings of loved ones, strangers, and my life experiences.<\/p>\n<h2>45. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153All photographs are accurate, none of them is truth\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26784\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26784\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26784\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/suits-4-4\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-4.jpg?fit=3936%2C2608&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3936,2608\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;7.1&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;GR&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1424840865&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;3200&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0003125&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Suits-4\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;SF, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-4.jpg?fit=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26784\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-4-2000x1325.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325\" alt=\"SF, 2015\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1325\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-4.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-4.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-4.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-4.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26784\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">SF, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dThere is no such thing as inaccuracy in a photograph. All photographs are accurate. None of them is truth.&#8221; &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/09\/26\/5-lessons-richard-avedon-taught-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Richard Avedon<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/09\/26\/5-lessons-richard-avedon-taught-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Richard Avedon<\/strong><\/a> isn&#8217;t known as a &#8220;street photographer.&#8221; He is famous for his large-format black and white portraits of models, celebrities, and musicians.<\/p>\n<p>However I feel that his strongest body of work is his &#8220;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.americansuburbx.com\/2011\/01\/richard-avedon-richard-avedons-in.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>In the American West<\/strong><\/a>&#8221; project. From 1979-84, Avedon traveled across America with a crew and shot stark black-and-white portraits of ordinary people against a simple white backdrop. His images ooze of hope, despair, longing, strength, confusion, and love.<\/p>\n<p>When Avedon first exhibited the images, he got a lot of criticism. Many said that he showed a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153distorted\u00e2\u20ac\u009d view of working-class Americans. Furthermore, he was often criticized for capturing unflattering portraits of his subjects. How did Avedon respond? He described how his image-making process was more of a &#8220;fiction than \u00e2\u20ac\u0153objective\u00e2\u20ac\u009d documentary:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I think the larger issue is that photography is not reportage, it is not journalism\u00e2\u20ac\u201d it is fiction. When I go to the west and do the working class (it is more about the working class than the west)\u00e2\u20ac\u201dit is my view. Like John Wayne is Hollywood\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s view. So it means my idea of the working class is a fiction.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/09\/26\/5-lessons-richard-avedon-taught-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Richard Avedon<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Every photo we make is an opinion. Opinions are never \u00e2\u20ac\u0153right\u00e2\u20ac\u009d or \u00e2\u20ac\u0153wrong\u00e2\u20ac\u009d; they are simply our subjective view of reality.<\/p>\n<p>Avedon boldly states that all photos are &#8220;accurate&#8221; in the sense that the moment your camera captures an image, the moment you caught is precise (cameras don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t lie).<\/p>\n<p>There is no objective &#8220;truth&#8221; in your photos, because we only capture a fraction of a second. How can a fraction of a second show the entirety of someone\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s personality, character, and soul? If you take a photo of someone blinking (and it makes them look stupid), is that a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153lie,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d or just a slice of reality?<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/09\/14\/24-more-lessons-mary-ellen-mark-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Mary Ellen Mark<\/strong><\/a> (a photographer who was very intimate with her subjects) admits that photos are just opinions. As a photographer, you need to express your subjective point-of-view:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re ever an objective observer. By making a frame you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re being selective, then you edit the pictures you want published and you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re being selective again. You develop a point of view that you want to express. You try to go into a situation with an open mind, but then you form an opinion and you express it in your photographs. It is very important for a photographer to have a point of view- that contributes to a great photograph.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/09\/14\/24-more-lessons-mary-ellen-mark-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mary Ellen Mark<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>The humanist photographer <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/03\/02\/5-lessons-sebastiao-salgado-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Sebasti\u00c3\u00a3o Salgado<\/strong><\/a> adds the deeply subjective nature of photography:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Photography is not objective. It is deeply subjective &#8211; my photography is consistent ideologically and ethically with the person I am.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/03\/02\/5-lessons-sebastiao-salgado-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sebasti\u00c3\u00a3o Salgado<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Who are you as a photographer and a human being? Show it through your images.<\/p>\n<h2>46. Disturb your viewer<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26786\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26786\" style=\"width: 1325px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26786\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/r0152032-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0152032.jpg?fit=3264%2C4928&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3264,4928\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;GR II&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1444913302&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;400&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.002&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"R0152032\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;New Orleans, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0152032.jpg?fit=1325%2C2000&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26786\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0152032-1325x2000.jpg?resize=1325%2C2000\" alt=\"New Orleans, 2015\" width=\"1325\" height=\"2000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0152032.jpg?resize=1325%2C2000&amp;ssl=1 1325w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0152032.jpg?resize=437%2C660&amp;ssl=1 437w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0152032.jpg?resize=768%2C1160&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0152032.jpg?w=2000&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0152032.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26786\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">New Orleans, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dIt\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s so strange to me that anyone would ever think that a work of art shouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be disturbing or shouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be invasive. That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the property of work\u00e2\u20ac\u201d that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the arena of a work of art. It is to disturb, it to make you think, to make you feel. If my work didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t disturb from time to time, it would be a failure in my own eyes. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s meant to disturb\u00e2\u20ac\u201d in a positive way.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/09\/26\/5-lessons-richard-avedon-taught-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Richard Avedon<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Fear holds us back as photographers and artists. We are afraid of being judged, critiqued, or hated on.<\/p>\n<p>Every great photographer had their critics. No matter how great you are as a photographer, you will never have 100% of the photography world love your work. Often people hate on photographers simply because they are jealous of their success. These jealous people call great photographers \u00e2\u20ac\u0153overrated\u00e2\u20ac\u009d because they feel frustrated about their own lack of fame and success.<\/p>\n<p>No matter how good you are as a photographer, you&#8217;re always going to get your \u00e2\u20ac\u0153haters.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d In fact, you can judge how successful a photographer by how many haters that photographer has.<\/p>\n<p>When you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re starting off, everyone is supportive of you. But once you become rich, famous, and influential&#8211; you are going to have people stab you in the back, be jealous of your success, and talk shit about you behind your back (trust me, it has happened to me).<\/p>\n<p>When <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/01\/timeless-lessons-street-photographers-can-learn-from-robert-franks-the-americans\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Robert Frank<\/strong><\/a> published &#8220;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/3865218067\/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=3865218067&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=erikimstrpho-20&amp;linkId=ITDTFBASKJOLVJWP\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>The Americans<\/strong><\/a>,&#8221; (arguably the most influential photography book in history) it was hated. Photography critics called it communist, Anti-american, and ugly. They disliked the high-contrast and gritty images, and they thought Frank was an amateur who didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t deserve any respect.<\/p>\n<p>Nowadays everybody looks at Robert Frank with a holy reverence, and his work has inspired millions of photographers from all around the world.<\/p>\n<p>Whenever you try to do something against the grain, you will always be criticized. For example, when <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/03\/5-lessons-daido-moriyama-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Daido Moriyama<\/strong><\/a> first started to shoot photography, the trend was to get hyper-crisp, sharp, and realistic images (with little grain as possible). Perfection in images were valued.<\/p>\n<p>However Daido followed his own path and disregarded what everyone else did. He inherited a point-and-shoot film camera from a friend (film Ricoh GR) and shot gritty black-and-white photos, and innovated the grainy, out of focus, and technically imperfect aesthetic called \u00e2\u20ac\u0153are, bure, boke.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n<p>Now gritty black-and-white photos with high-contrast is a popular aesthetic, adopted by photographers such as <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/08\/27\/10-things-anders-petersen-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Anders Petersen<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/12\/26\/11-lessons-jacob-aue-sobol-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jacob Aue Sobol<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Going back to what <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/09\/26\/5-lessons-richard-avedon-taught-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Richard Avedon<\/a> said, great art is often disturbing and invasive to the viewer. Great art disturbs the viewer by pushing them out of their comfort zones. Great art challenges the thinking, pre-conceived notions, beliefs, and concepts of the viewer. Great art challenges viewers to think and feel in a different way.<\/p>\n<p>The worst thing you can be as an artist and photographer is to be boring. The secret to failure as a photographer is to make work that doesn&#8217;t offend anybody.<\/p>\n<p>No matter how great a photographer is, they will always have \u00e2\u20ac\u0153haters.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d For example, do a Google search on any photographer or artist you admire. Search for their name and add keywords like &#8220;overrated\u00e2\u20ac\u009d or \u00e2\u20ac\u0153sucks.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n<p>You cannot go through life and your photographic journey without having someone dislike your work.<\/p>\n<p>My suggestion: embrace it, and follow your own voice, without worrying if others will be disturbed by your work.<\/p>\n<h2>47. Disregard technical settings<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26787\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26787\" style=\"width: 1545px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26787\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/img_1255-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1255.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1545,1024\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"IMG_1255\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Prague, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1255.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26787\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1255.jpg?resize=1545%2C1024\" alt=\"Prague, 2015\" width=\"1545\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1255.jpg?w=1545&amp;ssl=1 1545w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1255.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1255.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26787\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Prague, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dModern technology has taken the angst out of achieving the perfect shot. For me, the only thing that counts is the idea behind the image: what you want to see and what you&#8217;re trying to say. The idea is crucial. You have to think of something you want to say and expand upon it.&#8221; &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/03\/26\/10-things-martin-parr-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Martin Parr<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Nowadays with modern digital technology, a photographer doesn&#8217;t need to rely on manual or technical settings anymore. If you just set your camera to &#8220;P&#8221; (program mode), your camera automatically chooses the exposure, aperture, shutter speed, and often does a better job than the photographer. This liberates the photographer to focus on composing and framing the scene.<\/p>\n<p>The technical settings matter insofar much as you need to make a strong image with a strong idea.<\/p>\n<p>The real master photographers don&#8217;t care so much about technical settings, but what they are trying to say through their images. Magnum photographer <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/09\/22\/20-lessons-constantine-manos-taught-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Constantine Manos<\/strong><\/a> also mirror the importance of ideas in photography:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dIdeas are very important and underrated in photography. A photograph, like a written text or a short story, is an idea. A photograph is an idea. A visual idea. It doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t need any words. If you see something, a good photograph is the expression of an idea. This doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t require captions and explanations. A photo should make a statement.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/09\/22\/20-lessons-constantine-manos-taught-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Constantine Manos<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Even several decades ago many photographers were overly-obsessed with technical considerations. <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/09\/16\/10-lessons-andre-kertesz-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Andre Kertesz<\/strong><\/a> (a predecessor to <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/12\/09\/17-lessons-henri-cartier-bresson-taught-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Henri Cartier-Bresson<\/a>) stressed the importance of mood and emotion:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dTechnique isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t important. Technique is in the blood. Events and mood are more important than good light and the happening is what is important.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/09\/16\/10-lessons-andre-kertesz-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Andre Kertesz<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/09\/16\/10-lessons-andre-kertesz-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Andre Kertesz<\/a> expands by saying images with expression and soul is more important than technical perfection:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dIf you want to write, you should learn the alphabet. You write and write and in the end you have a beautiful, perfect alphabet. But it isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t the alphabet that is important. The important thing is what you are writing, what you are expressing. The same thing goes for photography. Photographs can be technically perfect and even beautiful, but they have no expression.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/09\/16\/10-lessons-andre-kertesz-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Andre Kertesz<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>When someone reads a book that is amazing, wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t it be silly if they asked the author what typewriter, laptop, or pen or paper they used?<\/p>\n<p>It is the content and the emotion that matters, not the tool or technical settings.<\/p>\n<h2>48. Embrace \u00e2\u20ac\u0153P\u00e2\u20ac\u009d mode<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26788\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26788\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26788\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/r0151816-4\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0151816.jpg?fit=4928%2C3264&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"4928,3264\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;GR II&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1444839693&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;800&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0005&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"R0151816\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;New Orleans, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0151816.jpg?fit=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26788\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0151816-2000x1325.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325\" alt=\"New Orleans, 2015\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1325\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0151816.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0151816.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0151816.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0151816.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26788\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">New Orleans, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>When you&#8217;re out making images, you only have a limited amount of brainpower. So don&#8217;t waste your effort in thinking about your camera settings. Focus on capturing the moment, the mood, and the soul behind an image.<\/p>\n<p>If you&#8217;ve never tried &#8220;P&#8221; mode, give it a go. Set your camera to &#8220;P&#8221; (or program), center-point autofocus, and ISO 800. This will automatically prevent you from worrying about the technical settings, and more on the image-making aspect of things. Try it out for a month, and see if this liberates and helps your photography.<\/p>\n<p>For example when I was in New Orleans in 2015, I shot only with a <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/10\/20\/review-of-the-ricoh-gr-ii-for-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Ricoh GR II<\/strong><\/a> digital camera, and shot it all in \u00e2\u20ac\u0153P\u00e2\u20ac\u009d mode, center-point autofocus, and ISO 800. I photographed anything I found remotely interesting, and had fun. It was amazing; I felt like I was a kid again.<\/p>\n<p>The less I worry about technical settings, the more fun I have, and I also make better images.<\/p>\n<p>If you make a great shot, nobody is going to care what camera mode you shot it in. Apparently Steve McCurry shoots nowadays digitally in \u00e2\u20ac\u0153P\u00e2\u20ac\u009d mode and Auto-ISO (even <a href=\"http:\/\/www.magnumphotos.com\/C.aspx?VP3=CMS3&amp;VF=MAGO31_10_VForm&amp;ERID=24KL535GR6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Moises Saman<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.magnumphotos.com\/C.aspx?VP3=CMS3&amp;VF=MAGO31_10_VForm&amp;ERID=24KL53ZE3H\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Eli Reed<\/a> from Magnum).<\/p>\n<p>Set your camera settings, forget about it, and just shoot. Or even easier to remember: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Set it and forget it.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n<h2>49. Enjoy the process<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26789\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26789\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26789\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/americans-3-3\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-3.jpg?fit=3087%2C2048&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3087,2048\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Americans-3\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Tucson, 2014&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-3.jpg?fit=2000%2C1327&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26789\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-3-2000x1327.jpg?resize=2000%2C1327\" alt=\"Tucson, 2014\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1327\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-3.jpg?resize=2000%2C1327&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-3.jpg?resize=660%2C438&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-3.jpg?resize=768%2C510&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-3.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26789\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Tucson, 2014<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I was taking pictures for myself. I felt free. Photography was a lot of fun for me. First of all I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d get really excited waiting to see if the pictures would come out the next day. I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t really know anything about photography, but I loved the camera.&#8221; &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/03\/10-lessons-william-klein-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">William Klein<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>If you&#8217;re not having fun in photography, you&#8217;re doing something wrong. Not only that, but why would you make photos if you didn&#8217;t enjoy it? We already have enough stress and anxiety from our jobs, relationships, and other aspects of our lives. The more fun you have while making images, the more your enthusiasm will communicate to the viewer.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/03\/10-lessons-william-klein-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>William Klein<\/strong><\/a> expresses his love and enthusiasm for photography vividly. Through his words, you can see how much love and passion he has for his craft:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 a photographer can love his camera and what it can do in the same way that a painter can love his brush and paints, love the feel of it and the excitement.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/03\/10-lessons-william-klein-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">William Klein<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>When <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/03\/10-lessons-william-klein-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">William Klein<\/a> shot on the streets, he would experiment and try out different techniques. He wasn&#8217;t 100% sure what he would get, but he harnessed luck and chance, all the while enjoying the process:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dI would look at my contact sheets and my heart would be beating, you know. To see if I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d caught what I wanted. Sometimes, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d take shots without aiming, just to see what happened. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d rush into crowds &#8211; bang! Bang! I liked the idea of luck and taking a chance, other times I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d frame a composition I saw and plant myself somewhere, longing for some accident to happen.&#8221; &#8211; William Klein<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>While it is important to work hard in your photography, don&#8217;t push yourself so hard that you no longer enjoy the process of photography. <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/09\/22\/20-lessons-constantine-manos-taught-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Constantine Manos<\/strong><\/a> explains:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dDon\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t drive yourself [too hard]. If you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re tired, sit down. If you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re not enjoying it [photographing], you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re doing something wrong. Photography should always be a pleasurable search for something wonderful.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/09\/22\/20-lessons-constantine-manos-taught-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Constantine Manos<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Another tip: don&#8217;t take yourself too seriously, just like <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/09\/23\/14-lessons-elliott-erwitt-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Elliott Erwitt<\/strong><\/a>:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dI\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m not a serious photographer like most of my colleagues. That is to say, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m serious about not being serious.&#8221; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/09\/23\/14-lessons-elliott-erwitt-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Elliott Erwitt<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>At the end of the day, nobody cares about your photos but yourself. So remember that photography isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t about creating great images, but about enjoying your life, and enjoying the process.<\/p>\n<h2>50. Single photos can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t tell stories<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26790\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26790\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26790\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/suits-8-8\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-8.jpg?fit=3087%2C2048&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3087,2048\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Suits-8\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Lansing, 2014&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-8.jpg?fit=2000%2C1327&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26790\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-8-2000x1327.jpg?resize=2000%2C1327\" alt=\"Lansing, 2014\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1327\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-8.jpg?resize=2000%2C1327&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-8.jpg?resize=660%2C438&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-8.jpg?resize=768%2C510&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-8.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26790\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lansing, 2014<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dFor me this just reveals, once again, the biggest problem with photography. Photographs aren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t good at telling stories. Stories require a beginning, middle and end. They require the progression of time. Photographs stop time. They are frozen. Mute. As viewers of the picture, we have no idea what those people on the waterfront are talking about.&#8221; &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/02\/25\/14-lessons-alec-soth-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Alec Soth<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/02\/25\/14-lessons-alec-soth-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Alec Soth<\/strong><\/a> is one of the most successful and hard working contemporary master photographers. He is a master storyteller, and also constantly experiments with his photography. Although he is a photographer, he is less interested in making single images and more interested in telling good stories.<\/p>\n<p>Soth makes the bold statement that a single image cannot tell a story. While a single image can suggest a story to the viewer, a real story needs a beginning middle and end. And you can only achieve that through a series of images. Soth expands on the idea:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dSo what are photographs good at? While they can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t tell stories, they are brilliant at suggesting stories.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; Alec Soth<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Furthermore, the problem with single images is that they often don&#8217;t provide enough context. Soth states:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dYou can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t tell provide context in 1\/500th of a second.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; Alec Soth<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Photography has only been around for less than 150 years. But story telling has been around for millennia. Soth views the storytelling as the ultimate goal in his photography:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I think storytelling is the most powerful art. I just think there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s nothing more satisfying than the narrative thrust: beginning, middle, and end, what\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s gonna happen. The thing I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m always bumping up against is that photography doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t function that way. Because it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not a time-based medium, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s frozen in time, they suggest stories, they don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t tell stories. So it is not narrative. So it functions much more like poetry than it does like the novel. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s just these impressions and you leave it to the viewer to put together.&#8221; &#8211; Alec Soth<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/08\/10-things-garry-winogrand-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Garry Winogrand<\/strong><\/a> also shares his perspective that photographs by themselves are just images; light reflected off surfaces. The meanings created through images are through the viewer, not the images themselves:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Photos have no narrative content. They only describe light on surface.&#8221; &#8211; Garry Winogrand<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/02\/14\/6-lessons-joel-sternfeld-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Joel Sternfeld<\/strong><\/a> also shares the problem of photography, that single images can&#8217;t explain enough context:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You take 35 degrees out of 360 degrees and call it a photo. No individual photo explains anything. That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s what makes photography such a wonderful and problematic medium.&#8221; &#8211; Joel Sternfeld<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/03\/02\/5-lessons-sebastiao-salgado-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Sebasti\u00c3\u00a3o Salgado<\/strong><\/a> ties it all together by also hammering in the point that he only works for a group of images to tell a story:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dI always work for a group of pictures, to tell a story. If you ask which picture in a story I like most, it is impossible for me to tell you this. I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t work for an individual picture. If I must select one individual picture for a client, it is very difficult for me.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; Sebasti\u00c3\u00a3o Salgado<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>One last piece of advice from <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/02\/25\/14-lessons-alec-soth-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Alec Soth<\/a> when working on a project: think of yourself as a film maker, not a photographer. This will help you, because making great photography projects isn&#8217;t just shooting; the editing, sequencing, and publishing are just as important:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dI don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t come close to shooting every day. For better or worse, I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t carry a camera with me everywhere I go. I liken my process to that of filmmaking. First I conceive of the idea. Then I do pre-production and fundraising. Then shooting. Then editing. Then distribution (books and galleries). As with most filmmakers, the shooting takes just a fraction of my time.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211;&nbsp;Alec Soth<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>One of the problems of social media (Instagram and Flickr especially) is that there is a focus on the single-image. While single images are powerful and memorable; they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re not good at story-telling.<\/p>\n<p>Know that making strong single images is important, but if you want to make a compelling story or narrative in a photography project, you need to string together many images to create that story.<\/p>\n<h2>51. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t worry about marketing your work<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26791\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26791\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26791\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/provincetown-the-old-colony-5-5\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Provincetown-The-Old-Colony-5.jpg?fit=4896%2C3264&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"4896,3264\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;3.2&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;X-T1&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1410979442&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;27&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;3200&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0071428571428571&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Provincetown-The-Old-Colony-5\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Provincetown, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Provincetown-The-Old-Colony-5.jpg?fit=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26791\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Provincetown-The-Old-Colony-5-2000x1333.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333\" alt=\"Provincetown, 2015\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Provincetown-The-Old-Colony-5.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Provincetown-The-Old-Colony-5.jpg?resize=660%2C440&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Provincetown-The-Old-Colony-5.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Provincetown-The-Old-Colony-5.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26791\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Provincetown, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dI see a lot of young photographers pushing their work, and I think that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s fine, but so often it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s wasted effort before the work is ready. Everyone\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s running around trying to promote themselves, and you kinda have to put in those years of hard work to make something decent before you do that. Particularly that first project is the hardest thing. I always say the 20s are the hardest decade because you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have money and you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have a reputation. In relation to this kind of issue, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m always wary that the advice is like \u00e2\u20ac\u0153you need to put together this promo package that you send out to these 100 people.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d No, you need to do the work, and worry about that later.&#8221; &#8211;&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/02\/25\/14-lessons-alec-soth-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Alec Soth<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>In today&#8217;s society we all want to become famous. Social media has only intensified this. We start to focus on how to become more famous; how to get more followers, more views, more comments, more likes, more awards, more commissions, more exhibitions, more money, and more popularity.<\/p>\n<p>Before you worry about promotion, fame, and wealth, you should focus on the most important thing in photography and art: the work itself.<\/p>\n<p>It is true that you need some promotion if you want to have your work recognized. For example, <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/04\/14\/5-lessons-vivian-maier-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Vivian Maier<\/strong><\/a> died penniless because she never showed her work to anybody else while she was alive (even though she was a master photographer).<\/p>\n<p>At the same time, the problem that a lot of photographers make is they focus on the promotion of their images before getting better.<\/p>\n<p>If you make good work, sooner or later you will become &#8220;discovered&#8221; and have your work appreciated. Even if you never become \u00e2\u20ac\u0153discovered,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t you shoot to please yourself, not others?<\/p>\n<p>I find the photographers who best become &#8220;discovered&#8221; are the ones who work on meaningful projects, that have a cohesive concept and theme, and publish it as a &#8220;<a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/04\/24\/time-flies-on-creating-a-body-of-work\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>body of work<\/strong><\/a>.&#8221; This often works much better than publishing random photos to Facebook, Instagram, or Flickr.<\/p>\n<h2>52. Subtract from the frame<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26792\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26792\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26792\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/dark-skies-over-tokyo-2-8\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Dark-Skies-Over-Tokyo-2.jpg?fit=4616%2C3072&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"4616,3072\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;16&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;M9 Digital Camera&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1322604171&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;2500&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0005&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Dark Skies Over Tokyo-2\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Tokyo, 2012&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Dark-Skies-Over-Tokyo-2.jpg?fit=2000%2C1331&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26792\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Dark-Skies-Over-Tokyo-2-2000x1331.jpg?resize=2000%2C1331\" alt=\"Tokyo, 2012\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1331\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Dark-Skies-Over-Tokyo-2.jpg?resize=2000%2C1331&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Dark-Skies-Over-Tokyo-2.jpg?resize=660%2C439&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Dark-Skies-Over-Tokyo-2.jpg?resize=768%2C511&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Dark-Skies-Over-Tokyo-2.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26792\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Tokyo, 2012<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dI have this thing, the camera\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s on a tripod, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s like an easel \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ok, I can only take a couple, I gotta makes this great.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Then I tried to get everything in the frame, which, in fact, is not a good strategy for photography. Its pulling stuff out of the frame is usually what you want to do, to simplify it. But I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know that. So that was one of the lessons learned.&#8221; &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/02\/25\/14-lessons-alec-soth-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Alec Soth<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>As a photographer, you are a surgeon with a scalpel, deciding what to remove from a frame and what to keep in the frame.<\/p>\n<p>To make stronger images, you want to have less clutter and distractions in your frame. You want to be specific. By having too many subjects or objects in a frame, you only confuse your viewer. A cluttered photograph is difficult to look at, and often uninteresting.<\/p>\n<p>By removing unnecessary elements from the frame, you give more focus and importance to what actually exists in the frame.<\/p>\n<p>Ruthlessly eliminate distractions from the frame.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153The framing is very important &#8211; you have to keep out things that distract from the little drama that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s in the picture. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d like my pictures to exist almost in a dream state and have people react to them almost as if they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re coming in and out of daydreams, you know?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/04\/07\/18-lessons-richard-kalvar-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Richard Kalvar<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Less is more. Try to be a minimalist in photography, and you will give more strength and focus to the subjects in your frame.<\/p>\n<h2>53. Make yourself vulnerable<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26793\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26793\" style=\"width: 1545px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26793\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/img_0843-5\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_0843.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1545,1024\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;QSS-32_33&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"IMG_0843\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Amsterdam, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_0843.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26793\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_0843.jpg?resize=1545%2C1024\" alt=\"Amsterdam, 2015\" width=\"1545\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_0843.jpg?w=1545&amp;ssl=1 1545w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_0843.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_0843.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26793\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Amsterdam, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dOne thing I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m really interested in is vulnerability. I like being exposed to vulnerabilities. I think there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s something really beautiful about it. That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s kind of what I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been doing with these little stories, amping up the vulnerability, but also my own vulnerabilities, exposing more of myself. Because I knew with that \u00e2\u20ac\u0153journalist\u00e2\u20ac\u009d line I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m exposing my own shit there. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m trying to get down to something raw.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211;&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/02\/25\/14-lessons-alec-soth-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Alec Soth<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>The more vulnerable you make yourself as a photographer, the more vulnerable your subjects will make themselves to you. By breaking down these barriers, you will be able to connect with your subjects on a deeper level.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_16187\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16187\" style=\"width: 399px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/02\/25\/14-lessons-alec-soth-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"16187\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/02\/25\/14-lessons-alec-soth-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/alec-soth-sleeping-by-the-missippi\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/alec-soth-sleeping-by-the-missippi.jpg?fit=399%2C500&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"399,500\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"alec soth- sleeping by the missippi\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/alec-soth-sleeping-by-the-missippi.jpg?fit=399%2C500&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"wp-image-16187 size-full\" title=\"Click to read more\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/alec-soth-sleeping-by-the-missippi.jpg?resize=399%2C500\" alt=\"Click to read more\" width=\"399\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/alec-soth-sleeping-by-the-missippi.jpg?w=399&amp;ssl=1 399w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/alec-soth-sleeping-by-the-missippi.jpg?resize=239%2C300&amp;ssl=1 239w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 399px) 100vw, 399px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-16187\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Charles, Vasa, Minnesota, 2002. \/ (c) Alec Soth \/ Magnum Photos<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>If you look at many of Alec Soth&#8217;s portraits of strangers, you might wonder how he was able to make them open up so much to him. His subjects are open, transparent, and sometimes even nude. <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/02\/25\/14-lessons-alec-soth-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Alec Soth<\/a> still has difficulty approaching strangers, but he does it for the greater good.<\/p>\n<p>You can&#8217;t expect your subjects to open up to you if you don&#8217;t open up to them. Human beings are mirrors; they will treat you the way you treat them.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/12\/26\/11-lessons-jacob-aue-sobol-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Jacob Aue Sobol<\/strong><\/a> also gets deeply intimate with his subjects, and makes himself equal to them:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dYou mustn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t avoid being vulnerable. For me, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a kind of exchange. Even though I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m the one taking the pictures, my ambition is to achieve an equal exchange between myself and the person I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m photographing.&#8221; &#8211; Jacob Aue Sobol<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>One of the common mistakes is that photographers just \u00e2\u20ac\u0153take\u00e2\u20ac\u009d from their subjects, but don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t \u00e2\u20ac\u0153give\u00e2\u20ac\u009d to their subjects. This happens more so when your subject is of a lower socio-economic background from you (think about all the middle-class photographers who have documented poor communities).<\/p>\n<p>Treat and photograph your subjects the way you would like to be photographed if you were in their shoes. This is the &#8220;<a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/03\/09\/the-golden-rule-in-street-photography-photograph-others-how-you-would-like-to-be-photographed\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>golden rule<\/strong><\/a>&#8221; of photography.<\/p>\n<h2>54. Forever be an \u00e2\u20ac\u0153amateur\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26794\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26794\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26794\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/provincetown-the-old-colony-8-3\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Provincetown-The-Old-Colony-8.jpg?fit=4896%2C3264&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"4896,3264\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;X-T1&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1411069804&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;27&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;3200&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.018181818181818&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Provincetown-The-Old-Colony-8\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Provincetown, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Provincetown-The-Old-Colony-8.jpg?fit=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26794\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Provincetown-The-Old-Colony-8-2000x1333.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333\" alt=\"Provincetown, 2015\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Provincetown-The-Old-Colony-8.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Provincetown-The-Old-Colony-8.jpg?resize=660%2C440&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Provincetown-The-Old-Colony-8.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Provincetown-The-Old-Colony-8.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26794\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Provincetown, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I am an amateur and intend to remain one my whole life long. I attribute to photography the task of recording the real nature of things, their interior, their life. The photographer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s art is a continuous discovery, which requires patience and time. A photograph draws its beauty from the truth with which it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s marked.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211;&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/09\/16\/10-lessons-andre-kertesz-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Andre Kertesz<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>In modern society, being called an &#8220;amateur&#8221; is an insult. However in reality, the definition of \u00e2\u20ac\u0153amateur\u00e2\u20ac\u009d is someone who does something purely for the love of it. Therefore just because you are an \u00e2\u20ac\u0153amateur photographer\u00e2\u20ac\u009d doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t mean that you are a bad photographer. It just means that you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t make a living or money from your photography.<\/p>\n<p>Similarly, just because you&#8217;re a &#8220;professional&#8221; photographer doesn&#8217;t mean that you&#8217;re good. You can be a baby photographer in a mall and be a &#8220;professional.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Some of the best photographers I know are amateurs. Similarly, some of the best professional photographers I know admit to being amateurs, by shooting personal work on the side (which doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t pay their bills, but it is what they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re really passionate about).<\/p>\n<p>Embrace and revel being an amateur.<\/p>\n<p>The next time you meet someone at a party and they ask you the typical, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What do you do?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d question simply respond and say, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I am an amateur photographer.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d This will be much more interesting than just saying you work as some consultant or whatever.<br>\nBe proud of your photography, your passion, and your love of making images.<\/p>\n<p>When I started shooting photography for fun, I did it purely for the joy of it. But then I got the idea that if I did photography full-time for a living, it would solve all of my life\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s issues and I would be eternally happy.<\/p>\n<p>Although it is true that now that I am technically making a living from photography (by teaching workshops), I honestly don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t shoot more now than when I had a full-time job. Furthermore, I know a lot of friends who are full-time wedding photographers who no longer have the passion to shoot as a hobby.<\/p>\n<p>My practical advice is this: if you want to become a professional photographer, keep your day job, and work enough part-time gigs on the weekend until you earn enough income to make the jump. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t just quit your job and start traveling the world without a practical business plan.<\/p>\n<p>At the same time, it is totally fine to have a day job and to work on your photography on the side. Often worrying too much about paying rent and monetizing your photography will suck the soul out of your work.<\/p>\n<p>It is a fine line; tread carefully between following your passion and making money.<\/p>\n<p>Ultimately, shoot because you love it. Forever be an \u00e2\u20ac\u0153<a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2010\/12\/03\/why-all-street-photographers-are-amateurs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>amateur<\/strong><\/a>.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n<h2>55. Stay hungry, stay foolish<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26795\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26795\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26795\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/r0150527-2_21241391300_o\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/r0150527-2_21241391300_o.jpg?fit=4928%2C3264&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"4928,3264\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;GR&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1441965504&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;1600&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0125&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"r0150527-2_21241391300_o\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Berkeley, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/r0150527-2_21241391300_o.jpg?fit=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26795\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/r0150527-2_21241391300_o-2000x1325.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325\" alt=\"Berkeley, 2015\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1325\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/r0150527-2_21241391300_o.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/r0150527-2_21241391300_o.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/r0150527-2_21241391300_o.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/r0150527-2_21241391300_o.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26795\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Berkeley, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dEven when <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/09\/16\/10-lessons-andre-kertesz-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Andre Kertesz<\/a> was 90 years old, he created a new portfolio and shared it with the photographer Susan May Tell. When Tell asked him what kept him going, Kertesz responded: &#8216;I am still hungry.'&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Many of us have many frustrations in our photography: that we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re too old (and wish we started sooner), that we wish we had more time to shoot, that we don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have enough money to travel (or afford the fancy new equipment), or that we don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have enough \u00e2\u20ac\u0153talent\u00e2\u20ac\u009d (I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t believe talent exists in any artistic form, it is just hard work).<\/p>\n<p>None of these things matter. The only thing that matters is how passionate and hungry you are in your photography.<\/p>\n<p>Many photographers become jaded after years of shooting. They lose a sense of their hunger and passion. This is what leads to artistic death and stagnation.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/09\/16\/10-lessons-andre-kertesz-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Andre Kertesz<\/strong><\/a> (after a lifetime of shooting) still created new work in his 80\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s and even presented a new portfolio when he was 90 years old. Kertesz wasn&#8217;t easily satisfied with his work, he was still hungry to explore the world and shoot more, and to see the limits of the photographic medium.<\/p>\n<p>One of the mantras I try to live my life by is from <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2011\/12\/18\/10-traits-of-steve-jobs-that-can-make-you-a-better-street-photographer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Steve Jobs<\/strong><\/a> who said:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dStay hungry, stay foolish.&#8221; &#8211; Steve Jobs<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>We all need a bit of hunger in our life to propel us to action, and to keep going. If you&#8217;re constantly full and bloated with food, you have no motivation to move or do anything.<\/p>\n<p>Personally I find my best writing, photography, and exercise happens when I am physically hungry. Hunger compels me to act. Hunger forces you to innovate.<\/p>\n<p>Similarly in photography, stir up your appetite and hunger for image-making. Whenever I don&#8217;t feel motivated or inspired, I look at the photography and work of the masters. By chewing and digesting their images, I feel invigorated again and full of life, and hungry to follow in their footsteps.<\/p>\n<p>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t let any external circumstances hold you back (whether time, financial, or where you live). Just ask yourself the question:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dHow bad do I want it?&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>And realize that the more restrictions you have, the more you can <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/09\/14\/how-to-innovate-in-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>innovate<\/strong><\/a> in your photography.<\/p>\n<h2>56. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t force it<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26797\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26797\" style=\"width: 1325px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26797\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/r0180304-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0180304.jpg?fit=3264%2C4928&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3264,4928\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;GR&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1446827453&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;560&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.003125&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"R0180304\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;SF, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0180304.jpg?fit=1325%2C2000&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26797\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0180304-1325x2000.jpg?resize=1325%2C2000\" alt=\"SF, 2015\" width=\"1325\" height=\"2000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0180304.jpg?resize=1325%2C2000&amp;ssl=1 1325w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0180304.jpg?resize=437%2C660&amp;ssl=1 437w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0180304.jpg?resize=768%2C1160&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0180304.jpg?w=2000&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0180304.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26797\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">SF, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The irony of photography is that the harder I try to make good photos, the less likely I am to make good photos.<\/p>\n<p>As a general rule, always have your camera with you, but don&#8217;t force yourself to shoot when you don&#8217;t feel like it.<\/p>\n<p>There are certain photos you know you &#8220;should&#8221; shoot, and certain photos that you &#8220;must&#8221; shoot. Here is the difference:<\/p>\n<h3>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Should\u00e2\u20ac\u009d photos<\/h3>\n<p>Photos that you \u00e2\u20ac\u0153should\u00e2\u20ac\u009d shoot are photos you think others expect you to shoot. This is the pressure of society to mold you into a certain type of photographer. Disregard taking \u00e2\u20ac\u0153should\u00e2\u20ac\u009d photos.<\/p>\n<h3>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Must\u00e2\u20ac\u009d photos<\/h3>\n<p>Photos that you \u00e2\u20ac\u0153must\u00e2\u20ac\u009d shoot are images or situations in which you feel physically compelled to shoot, and you know that if you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t shoot them, you will feel extreme regret or sadness afterwards.<\/p>\n<p>Avoid taking \u00e2\u20ac\u0153should\u00e2\u20ac\u009d photos; only focus on taking \u00e2\u20ac\u0153must\u00e2\u20ac\u009d photos for more inner-serenity, happiness, and freedom from the opinion of others. Of course there is still a lot of fear to overcome of shooting \u00e2\u20ac\u0153must\u00e2\u20ac\u009d photos as well.<\/p>\n<p>Whenever I see a photo that I \u00e2\u20ac\u0153must\u00e2\u20ac\u009d shoot (and still feel nervous), I generally go up to the person and ask for permission. I would rather ask and get rejected (than not ask at all).<\/p>\n<p>If you want a candid photo, learn to deal with the negative consequences of shooting street photography (once again, the question you have to ask yourself in photography is \u00e2\u20ac\u0153How bad do I want the photo?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d) It ultimately comes down to a personal choice.<\/p>\n<p>For me, I want to shoot and live with no regrets (and deal with the risk of pissing someone off or having them get angry at me).<\/p>\n<h2>57. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t take easy photos<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26798\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26798\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26798\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/klein-0062450-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Klein-0062450.jpg?fit=3430%2C2272&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3430,2272\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;4&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;GR&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1393877190&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;ERIC KIM&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;1600&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.016666666666667&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Klein-0062450\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Amsterdam, 2014. Shot at the William Klein exhibition at the foam museum. &lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Klein-0062450.jpg?fit=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26798\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Klein-0062450-2000x1325.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325\" alt=\"Amsterdam, 2014\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1325\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Klein-0062450.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Klein-0062450.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Klein-0062450.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Klein-0062450.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26798\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Amsterdam, 2014<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dShooting people is more beautiful, because it is more difficult.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211;&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/09\/22\/20-lessons-constantine-manos-taught-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Constantine Manos<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>One of the best things about street photography is that it is so challenging. Anything in life which is too easy is no fun. As human beings we crave adventure, difficulty, and challenge.<\/p>\n<p>Street photography is one of the most difficult genres of photography out there, because it is difficult to shoot human beings. We have so little control over the background, the subject, and the light. We have a fear of pissing people off. We have the fear of missing the &#8220;<a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/05\/23\/debunking-the-myth-of-the-decisive-moment\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>decisive moment<\/strong><\/a>.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>If you find yourself being bored with photography, it probably has become too easy for you. Push yourself out of your comfort zone, and aim to make more complex and difficult images from what you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re used to.<\/p>\n<h2>58. Shoot what you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re afraid of<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26799\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26799\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26799\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/gallo-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Gallo-2.jpg?fit=4928%2C3264&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"4928,3264\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;4&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;GR&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1372441819&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;1600&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.016666666666667&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Gallo-2\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Lansing, 2014&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Gallo-2.jpg?fit=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26799\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Gallo-2-2000x1325.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325\" alt=\"Lansing, 2014\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1325\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Gallo-2.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Gallo-2.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Gallo-2.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Gallo-2.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26799\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lansing, 2014<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Have you ever had a situation when you were out shooting all day and you didn&#8217;t find anything interesting? Happens to me all the time.<\/p>\n<p>However have you ever seen a scene that you wanted to capture but were too nervous or afraid to do so?<\/p>\n<p>Channel that fear in a positive way. Photograph what you are afraid of. The only reason that you&#8217;re afraid of shooting a scene is because you want to photograph it, but you&#8217;re afraid of the consequences.<\/p>\n<p>By doing what we&#8217;re afraid of we continue to grow. We escape complacency.<\/p>\n<p>As an assignment, go out and photograph a neighborhood or type of subject matter which frightens you. Of course do this within common sense and with safety in mind.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/01\/22\/how-to-overcome-your-fear-in-street-photography-with-rejection-exposure-therapy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Shoot what you&#8217;re afraid of<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>59. Print your photos<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26800\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26800\" style=\"width: 1545px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26800\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/img_1601-edited-2-4\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1601-edited-2-1.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1545,1024\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"IMG_1601-edited-2\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Tokyo, 2013&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1601-edited-2-1.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26800\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1601-edited-2-1.jpg?resize=1545%2C1024\" alt=\"Tokyo, 2013\" width=\"1545\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1601-edited-2-1.jpg?w=1545&amp;ssl=1 1545w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1601-edited-2-1.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1601-edited-2-1.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26800\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Tokyo, 2013<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dA photograph doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t exist until it is printed.&#8221; &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/09\/22\/20-lessons-constantine-manos-taught-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Constantine Manos<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>In today&#8217;s digital age, we are so used to seeing our images on a screen. We see them on our laptops, tablets, and smartphones.<\/p>\n<p>But the print is a dying medium. When is the last time you printed 4&#215;6 prints of a holiday trip, instead of just sharing and tagging them on Facebook?<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/09\/22\/20-lessons-constantine-manos-taught-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Constantine Manos<\/strong><\/a> says a photograph doesn&#8217;t exist until it is printed. If a photograph isn&#8217;t printed, it only exists metaphorically in pixels, and in 1&#8217;s and 0&#8217;s digitally in the ether. Printing a photograph makes it physical and brings it into the &#8220;real world.&#8221; A printed photograph has texture, weight, and takes up physical space.<\/p>\n<p>In a manifesto called &#8220;The Print,&#8221; Constantine Manos shares the importance of printing our images:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153There are still photographers who believe that a photograph does not exist until it is a print. There remains in their memory the experience of working in a darkroom and recalling the magic of seeing an image gradually appear on a piece of paper in a tray of liquid. If processed and stored properly this print can last for generations. It becomes a treasure. It can be framed and hung in a favorite spot, to become an object of daily pleasure and comfort. It is a real object we can hold in our hands, not a negative or an image floating around in space and stored in cold machines. Let us celebrate the print.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; Constantine Manos<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Prints are cheap. You can get them done at home, at the local drugstore, or the local photography lab. You can also get them done affordably online (I recommend <a href=\"http:\/\/mpix.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">mpix.com<\/a> in the states). Print out your photos as small 4&#215;6\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s, give them away as friends as gifts, hang them on your walls, and enjoy the physicality of the print as an object. Lay them out on a table to edit your photography projects and sequence them.<\/p>\n<p>Prints also make for fantastic presents to close friends and colleagues. The joy I get from giving away my prints is quite possibly the most joy I have ever received in photography.<\/p>\n<h2>60. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be \u00e2\u20ac\u0153suckered by the exotic\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26801\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26801\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26801\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/attachment\/79730002\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/79730002.jpg?fit=1200%2C796&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1200,796\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"79730002\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Mumbai, 2013&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/79730002.jpg?fit=1200%2C796&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26801\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/79730002.jpg?resize=1200%2C796\" alt=\"Mumbai, 2013\" width=\"1200\" height=\"796\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/79730002.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/79730002.jpg?resize=660%2C438&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/79730002.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26801\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Mumbai, 2013<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It is not enough to just photograph what something looks like. We need to make it into something that is unique, a surprise. Photography has been used forever to show what things look like, like when photographers photographed objects and landscapes.&#8221; &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/09\/22\/20-lessons-constantine-manos-taught-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Constantine Manos<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Have you ever been to India for the first time, where you strove to make all your photos look &#8220;National Geographic&#8221; and exotic? But we have all already seen those types of images before. The job of a photographer isn&#8217;t to just make beautiful postcards of exotic places but to make a unique image that hasn&#8217;t been done before.<\/p>\n<p>Rather than simply duplicating what has been done in the past, we should strive to add to the conversation of photography by adding something a little extra.<\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26802\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/india-contact\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/india-contact.jpg?fit=1329%2C610&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1329,610\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"india contact\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/india-contact.jpg?fit=1329%2C610&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-26802\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/india-contact.png?resize=1329%2C610\" alt=\"india contact\" width=\"1329\" height=\"610\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/india-contact.jpg?w=1329&amp;ssl=1 1329w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/india-contact.jpg?resize=660%2C303&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/india-contact.jpg?resize=768%2C353&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/09\/22\/20-lessons-constantine-manos-taught-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Constantine Manos<\/strong><\/a> advised me not to get &#8220;suckered by the exotic.&#8221; I have to admit, this happens to me all the time, especially when I travel to exotic locations which are novel to me, like India, Tokyo, or Paris. I have a mental repository of all the exotic photos I have seen in the past, and I try to simply replicate it.<\/p>\n<p>Also as a photographer, we need to imbue meaning into the images we make. We aren&#8217;t there to simply capture what is before our very eyes. We have already seen a million photos of the Eiffel tower, the Taj Mahal, and of a sunset.<\/p>\n<p>We shouldn&#8217;t photograph what things look like. We should photograph what things feel like.<\/p>\n<p>For example, it took me 3 trips to India before I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t take the cliche \u00e2\u20ac\u0153National Geographic\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Steve McCurry-wanna-be images. When I first went to India, I was blown away by all the colors, and the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153exoticness\u00e2\u20ac\u009d of the place.<\/p>\n<h2>61. Shoot in boring places<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26803\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26803\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26803\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/americans-30-4\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-30.jpg?fit=3088%2C2048&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3088,2048\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Americans-30\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;East Lansing, 2014&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-30.jpg?fit=2000%2C1326&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26803\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-30-2000x1326.jpg?resize=2000%2C1326\" alt=\"East Lansing, 2014\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1326\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-30.jpg?resize=2000%2C1326&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-30.jpg?resize=660%2C438&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-30.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-30.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26803\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">East Lansing, 2014<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>I make it a point to always have a camera with me, because you never know where there will be a good photo opportunity. However I do have the same struggles as you, I often find it hard to find inspiration in my photography.<\/p>\n<p>Let me give you an example; when I lived in East Lansing, Michigan for about a year, I struggled a lot to find inspiration. I just moved from Los Angeles, where my main focus was photographing people.<\/p>\n<p>Once I got to Michigan, there was barely anybody walking in the streets. I complained about my fate everyday, and made excuses how I wasn&#8217;t able to shoot interesting photos in Michigan.<\/p>\n<p>However I started to try to find possibilities in the &#8220;boring&#8221; life that I lived.<\/p>\n<p>This image shot at Meijer, the supermarket in town. I had a point-and-shoot film <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/04\/18\/unboxing-and-review-of-the-ricoh-gr1s-film-point-and-shoot-for-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Ricoh GR1s<\/strong><\/a> in my pocket (which I always carried with me in Michigan), and I saw this interesting scene: an online employment application booth with an &#8220;OUT OF ORDER&#8221; sign in front.<\/p>\n<p>To me, it said much about the socio-economic condition of Michigan and the United States. I would always hear Republican debates about the &#8220;lazy&#8221; and poor Americans not getting jobs.<\/p>\n<p>What is the irony of the shot? Even if you want to get a job and apply for it, you can&#8217;t. Obviously you can see my political leanings in this image. But the takeaway point is know that good photos exist everywhere, sometimes in the most unlikely places (gas stations, supermarkets, mall, etc).<\/p>\n<h2>62. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t take bad photos<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26804\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26804\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26804\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/dark-skies-over-tokyo-6-3\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Dark-Skies-Over-Tokyo-6.jpg?fit=3336%2C2256&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3336,2256\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Dark Skies Over Tokyo-6\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Dark-Skies-Over-Tokyo-6.jpg?fit=2000%2C1353&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26804\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Dark-Skies-Over-Tokyo-6-2000x1353.jpg?resize=2000%2C1353\" alt=\"Tokyo, 2012\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1353\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Dark-Skies-Over-Tokyo-6.jpg?resize=2000%2C1353&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Dark-Skies-Over-Tokyo-6.jpg?resize=660%2C446&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Dark-Skies-Over-Tokyo-6.jpg?resize=768%2C519&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Dark-Skies-Over-Tokyo-6.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26804\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Tokyo, 2012<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153The best way to take a bad picture is to take it. Ask yourself: \u00e2\u20ac\u2122Why am I pushing the button?\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 You want to get rid of the clutter before putting it into the machine.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/09\/22\/20-lessons-constantine-manos-taught-street-photography\/\">Constantine Manos<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>As photographers we sometimes ask the wrong questions to ourselves. We ask how to take photos, where to take photos, when to take photos. But rarely do we ask ourselves why we take photos.<\/p>\n<p>You need a reason to click the shutter. Otherwise you will lose your passion and drive.<\/p>\n<p>What about a scene interests you? Why did you make that image? What kind of mood does it have? What are you trying to say about society? Try to keep this question always in the back of your head.<\/p>\n<p>Furthermore, if you see a person or a scene that you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think will be a good photo, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t feel pressured to shoot it. You don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t need to take bad pictures.<\/p>\n<p>Sometimes it is sufficient to just look at something, appreciate it, and move on (without shooting it).<\/p>\n<h2>63. Make specific photos<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26805\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26805\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26805\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/08-8\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/08.jpg?fit=4368%2C2912&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"4368,2912\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;16&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS 5D&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1313435174&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;35&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;800&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.02&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"08\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Hollywood, 2011&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/08.jpg?fit=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26805\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/08-2000x1333.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333\" alt=\"Hollywood, 2011\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/08.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/08.jpg?resize=660%2C440&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/08.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/08.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26805\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Hollywood, 2011<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dA photograph has to be specific. I remember a long time ago when I first began to photograph I thought, &#8216;There are an awful lot of people in the world and it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s going to be terribly hard to photograph all of them, so if I photograph some kind of generalized human being, everybody\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll recognize it.&#8217; It was my teacher Lisette Model, who finally made it clear to me that the more specific you are, the more general it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll be.&#8221; &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/10\/15\/11-lessons-diane-arbus-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Diane Arbus<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>A common mistake I see a lot of beginning photographers make is that their photos are too general. If you make your photos too general, there isn&#8217;t enough interest for the viewer to keep looking.<\/p>\n<p>Viewers want to latch onto certain details they find interesting in a photograph. They want a visual anchor they find interesting to keep their eyes from wandering outside of the frame.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/10\/15\/11-lessons-diane-arbus-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Diane Arbus<\/strong><\/a> learned the lesson from her teacher (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.getty.edu\/art\/collection\/artists\/1521\/lisette-model-american-born-austria-1901-1983\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Lisette Model<\/strong><\/a>) that the more specific you make your photos, the more people they will reach and touch.<\/p>\n<p>For example, <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/10\/15\/11-lessons-diane-arbus-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Diane Arbus<\/a> would find specific details in her subjects that she found interesting. She would be drawn to their face, body gestures, or their expressions. Not only that, but she was specific in the types of subjects she photographed; people generally ignored or ostracized in society. These included dwarves, transgendered people, and others commonly known in her era as &#8220;freaks.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26875\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26875\" style=\"width: 768px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26875\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/arbus-kid-grenade-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/arbus-kid-grenade.jpeg?fit=768%2C800&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"768,800\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"arbus-kid-grenade\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Child with Toy Hand Grenade in Central Park, New York City, USA (1962) \/ Diane Arbus &lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/arbus-kid-grenade.jpeg?fit=768%2C800&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26875\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/arbus-kid-grenade.jpeg?resize=768%2C800\" alt=\"Child with Toy Hand Grenade in Central Park, New York City, USA (1962) \/ Diane Arbus \" width=\"768\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/arbus-kid-grenade.jpeg?w=768&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/arbus-kid-grenade.jpeg?resize=634%2C660&amp;ssl=1 634w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26875\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Child with Toy Hand Grenade in Central Park, New York City, USA (1962) \/ Diane Arbus<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>What made Diane Arbus\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 work special is that she photographed them as just normal human beings, and photographed them with empathy, love, and compassion.<\/p>\n<p>Life is too short for you to photograph everything. Rather than trying to photograph every single genre of photography, stick to the type of photography that you are truly passionate about.<\/p>\n<p>If your passion is street photography, intentionally give up all forms of other photography. Why? If your mind is divided amongst many different genres of photography, you will never create a single body of work that you are truly proud of. Not only that, but it takes a long time to cultivate and do one thing very well.<\/p>\n<p>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be a generalist in your photography; aim to be specific. Aim for depth over breadth. Then once you are able to \u00e2\u20ac\u0153master\u00e2\u20ac\u009d a type of shooting (let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s say this takes 10 years), then you can \u00e2\u20ac\u0153graduate\u00e2\u20ac\u009d and move onto the next project, theme, genre, or idea.<\/p>\n<h2>64. Compose intuitively<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26806\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26806\" style=\"width: 1327px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26806\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/suits-18-4\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-18.jpg?fit=2048%2C3087&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2048,3087\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Suits-18\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Tokyo, 2014&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-18.jpg?fit=1327%2C2000&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26806\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-18-1327x2000.jpg?resize=1327%2C2000\" alt=\"Tokyo, 2014\" width=\"1327\" height=\"2000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-18.jpg?resize=1327%2C2000&amp;ssl=1 1327w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-18.jpg?resize=438%2C660&amp;ssl=1 438w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-18.jpg?resize=768%2C1158&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-18.jpg?w=2048&amp;ssl=1 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26806\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Tokyo, 2014<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dComposition must be one of our constant preoccupations, but at the moment of shooting it can stem only from our intuition, for we are out to capture the fugitive moment, and all the interrelationships involved are on the move.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/12\/09\/17-lessons-henri-cartier-bresson-taught-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Henri Cartier-Bresson<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>There are two things that make a great photograph: content (what&#8217;s in the frame) and form (how it is composed). You need a perfect marriage of these two elements to make a compelling image.<\/p>\n<p>As photographers we must constantly be preoccupied with how we compose our photos. When it comes to street photography, how can we compose quickly when the moment we see can be so fleeting?<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/12\/09\/17-lessons-henri-cartier-bresson-taught-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Henri Cartier-Bresson<\/strong><\/a> states that composition can only be derived from intuition. It is difficult to see diagonals, triangles, circles, leading lines, or other compositional elements when you&#8217;re out shooting.<\/p>\n<p>You want to internalize composition. You want composition to be something that lives and breathes inside of you.<\/p>\n<p>I never learned the <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/street-photography-composition-lessons\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>theory of composition<\/strong><\/a> until after 8 years of shooting street photography. Too much theory can hurt you; you need to first be a practitioner and then create the theory from your experiences. You can sit in a studio and draw lines over images for hours on end, or you can go out and make images and discover the compositions after you shoot them.<\/p>\n<p>Cartier-Bresson continues and once again really hits home the point: you can only discover composition after you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve shot your images, not when you shoot them:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dAny geometrical analysis, any reducing of the picture to a schema, can be done only (because of its very nature) after the photograph has been taken, developed, and printed- and then it can be used only for a post-mortem examination of the picture.&#8221; &#8211; Henri Cartier-Bresson<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Having a &#8220;post mortem&#8221; examination is one of the key points to improving your composition. We learn more from our mistakes than our successes.<\/p>\n<p>When you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re out shooting on the streets, shoot with your gut. Then when you go home and sit down in front of your computer, edit with your brain. When you are analyzing your images, dissect your compositions, learn from them, and learn how you can improve from them.<\/p>\n<p>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t shoot composition for composition\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s sake. Who cares if you have a pretty photograph with beautiful composition, if the image has no soul and emotion?<\/p>\n<p>One common mistake I make in my composition is that the edges of my frame are distracting and messy. So now I am super anal about having clean edges in my frame.<\/p>\n<p>Nowadays when I am shooting, I only focus on the edges of the frame and just toss my subject somewhere in the center of the frame. By focusing on the edges of my frame, I eliminate distracting elements, which gives more focus to the subject in my photograph.<\/p>\n<p>Another common mistake that a lot of street photographers make is that they have messy and cluttered backgrounds. Avoid poles sticking out of heads and shoulders of your subjects, white bags, white cars (anything white is the brightest part of the frame and is often distracting), cluttered trees, and too many subjects in the background.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/12\/09\/17-lessons-henri-cartier-bresson-taught-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Henri Cartier-Bresson<\/a> studied <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/05\/20\/zen-in-the-art-of-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Zen philosophy<\/strong><\/a>, and you can see how clean and minimalist his compositions are. He also often integrated the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153fishing\u00e2\u20ac\u009d technique into his images; he would find a nice composition, wait for the right person to enter the scene, and then shoot them once they stepped into the right part of the frame.<\/p>\n<p>Interesting note: Cartier-Bresson was a hunter. A good hunter is one who is patient, sets a lot of traps, and knows when to pull the string.<\/p>\n<p>Going back to the point of analyzing your photos after you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve shot them, try this out: trace the geometric shapes you see in your photos in order to analyze and learn:<\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"24104\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/07\/01\/the-street-photography-composition-manual\/screen-shot-2015-07-01-at-9-58-36-am\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Screen-Shot-2015-07-01-at-9.58.36-AM.png?fit=1706%2C1194&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1706,1194\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Screen Shot 2015-07-01 at 9.58.36 AM\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Screen-Shot-2015-07-01-at-9.58.36-AM.png?fit=800%2C560&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-24104\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Screen-Shot-2015-07-01-at-9.58.36-AM-800x560.png?resize=800%2C560\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" srcset=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Screen-Shot-2015-07-01-at-9.58.36-AM-660x462.png 660x, http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Screen-Shot-2015-07-01-at-9.58.36-AM-800x560.png 800x\" alt=\"Screen Shot 2015-07-01 at 9.58.36 AM\" width=\"800\" height=\"560\"><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dYou can take a print of this picture, trace it on the geometric figures which come up under analysis, and you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll observe that, if the shutter was released at the decisive moment, you have instinctively fixed a geometric pattern without which the photograph would have been both formless and lifeless.&#8221; &#8211; Henri Cartier-Bresson<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>In a practical sense, make it a habit to print out your photos as small 4&#215;6 prints, and use them as little sketches. Take a red sharpie, and draw the geometric shapes and forms you see on your images (or you can do it in Photoshop):<\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"24116\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/07\/01\/the-street-photography-composition-manual\/screen-shot-2015-07-01-at-11-14-25-am\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Screen-Shot-2015-07-01-at-11.14.25-AM.png?fit=1690%2C792&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1690,792\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Screen Shot 2015-07-01 at 11.14.25 AM\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Screen-Shot-2015-07-01-at-11.14.25-AM.png?fit=800%2C375&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-24116\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Screen-Shot-2015-07-01-at-11.14.25-AM-800x375.png?resize=800%2C375\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" srcset=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Screen-Shot-2015-07-01-at-11.14.25-AM-660x309.png 660x, http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Screen-Shot-2015-07-01-at-11.14.25-AM-800x375.png 800x\" alt=\"Screen Shot 2015-07-01 at 11.14.25 AM\" width=\"800\" height=\"375\"><\/p>\n<p>Honestly I am very suspicious of anyone who tells me that composition is their number one focus when they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re out shooting, and that they can see all these diagonals, triangles, circles, curves, and red lines when they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re out on the streets. It might work if you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re a landscape or architecture photographer, but as street photographers, this is something that cannot be done (especially if you want to focus on photographing a fellow human being).<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/10\/15\/11-lessons-diane-arbus-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Diane Arbus<\/strong><\/a> would probably agree on this point, as she also stresses that composition is mostly intuitive and comes with practice:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dI hate the idea of composition. I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know what good composition is. I mean I guess I must know something about it from doing it a lot and feeling my way into and into what I like. Sometimes for me composition has to do with a certain brightness or a certain coming to restness and other times it has to do with funny mistakes. Theres a kind of rightness and wrongness and sometimes I like rightness and sometimes I like wrongness. Composition is like that.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; Diane Arbus<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Helen Levitt (another great female street photographer) also draws on the importance of practice and intuition and composition, and less on theory:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It would be mistaken to suppose that any of the best photography is come at by intellection; it is like all art, essentially the result of an intuitive process, drawing on all that the artist is rather than on anything he thinks, far less theorizes about.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; Helen Levitt<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Less theory; more practice.<\/p>\n<p>Walker Evans also shares how he doesn&#8217;t think much when composing his images:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dI don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think very much about it consciously, but I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m very aware of it unconsciously, instinctively. Deliberately discard it every once in a while not to be artistic. Composition is a schoolteacher\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s word. Any artist composes. I prefer to compose originally, naturally rather than self-consciously. Form and composition both are terribly important. I can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t stand a bad design or a bad object in a room. So much for form. That way it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s placed is composition\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 when you stop to think about what an artist is doing one question is, what is the driving force, the motive.&#8221; &#8211; Walker Evans<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Frankly speaking, I would take a photograph with strong emotional content and weak composition any-day over a photograph with a strong composition and weak emotional content.<\/p>\n<p>Never forget: a photograph without emotion is dead.<\/p>\n<p><em>To learn more about composition, download my free e-book: &#8220;<a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/07\/01\/the-street-photography-composition-manual\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>The Street Photography Composition Manual<\/strong><\/a>.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>65. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153project\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26807\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26807\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26807\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/americans-13-4\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/americans-13.jpg?fit=3088%2C2048&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3088,2048\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"americans-13\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;LA, 2013&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/americans-13.jpg?fit=2000%2C1326&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26807\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/americans-13-2000x1326.jpg?resize=2000%2C1326\" alt=\"LA, 2013\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1326\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/americans-13.jpg?resize=2000%2C1326&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/americans-13.jpg?resize=660%2C438&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/americans-13.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/americans-13.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26807\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">LA, 2013<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dMy obsession is with making photographs. I generally do not have a theme when in the act of photographing. Themes emerge after the photographs begin to accumulate. This happened in a clear way with my new book and exhibition Twirl \/ Run. For me picture taking is pure instinct. Gut. That is why I love doing it. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m not thinking when I am working.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/04\/03\/6-lessons-jeff-mermelstein-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jeff Mermelstein<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/04\/03\/6-lessons-jeff-mermelstein-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Jeff Mermelstein<\/strong><\/a> is a focused and intense contemporary street photographer who goes out and shoots whatever he finds interesting, than makes books later. This is a method that has worked well for him, and can work well for us too.<\/p>\n<p>Working on street photography projects can be very challenging if you have too rigid of a concept before you go out and shoot. This can make your mind rigid to new opportunities.<\/p>\n<p>If you face \u00e2\u20ac\u0153<a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/05\/12\/free-e-book-how-to-overcome-photographers-block\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>photographer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s block<\/strong><\/a>\u00e2\u20ac\u009d (or dislike working on \u00e2\u20ac\u0153<a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/02\/04\/free-e-book-the-street-photography-project-manual\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>projects<\/strong><\/a>\u00e2\u20ac\u009d) go out and shoot without a theme in mind. Simply photograph what interests you, and discover your \u00e2\u20ac\u0153project\u00e2\u20ac\u009d or a theme as you go.<\/p>\n<p>React to what you see, and then you can compile your projects or series later. Elliott Erwitt follows the same way of working and explains:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dI don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t start out with any specific interests, I just react to what I see. I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know that I set out to take pictures of dogs; I have a lot of pictures of people and quite a few of cats. But dogs seem to be more sympathetic.&#8221; &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/09\/23\/14-lessons-elliott-erwitt-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Elliott Erwitt<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/09\/23\/14-lessons-elliott-erwitt-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Elliott Erwitt<\/strong><\/a> has shot for many decades, and after compiling thousands of images, he discovers common threads and themes in his work. Now towards the later part of his life, he is compiling his images into books of certain subject matter and places.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/06\/06\/7-lessons-helen-levitt-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Helen Levitt<\/strong><\/a>, one of the pioneers of color street photography also rebelled against the notion of having a &#8220;project,&#8221; she simply photographed what she noticed:<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26877\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26877\" style=\"width: 900px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26877\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/58716_9714_green-car-custom-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/58716_9714_green-car-custom.jpg?fit=900%2C587&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"900,587\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"58716_9714_green-car-custom\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Helen Levitt \/ New York, 1980&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/58716_9714_green-car-custom.jpg?fit=900%2C587&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26877\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/58716_9714_green-car-custom.jpg?resize=900%2C587\" alt=\"Helen Levitt \/ New York, 1980\" width=\"900\" height=\"587\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/58716_9714_green-car-custom.jpg?w=900&amp;ssl=1 900w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/58716_9714_green-car-custom.jpg?resize=660%2C430&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/58716_9714_green-car-custom.jpg?resize=768%2C501&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26877\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Helen Levitt \/ New York, 1980<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I never had a \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcproject.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 I would go out and shoot, follow my eyes\u00e2\u20ac\u201dwhat they noticed, I tried to capture with my camera, for others to see.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; Helen Levitt<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Another way to discover what kinds of projects to pursue in your photography is to print out your photos and start sorting them into different boxes. Once the boxes start to fill up, you&#8217;ve got a project as <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/03\/29\/10-lessons-lee-friedlander-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Lee Friedlander<\/strong><\/a> explains:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dI just work and I throw the pictures in a box that says \u00e2\u20ac\u0153X\u00e2\u20ac\u009d or whatever, and eventually if the box gets full it merits looking at. I often work on two or three or four of those things at once. People tell me that they all look like they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been well thought out, and that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s because I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve worked on them for so long.&#8221; &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/03\/29\/10-lessons-lee-friedlander-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Lee Friedlander<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Ultimately you want to figure out what fulfills you in photography. Some photographers hate going out and shooting \u00e2\u20ac\u0153random\u00e2\u20ac\u009d photos of everything. Some photographers prefer more focus and rigidity (working on projects).<\/p>\n<p>However other photographers hate working on projects. They just want to go out, shoot, and have fun.<\/p>\n<p>Follow what is true to you. There is no \u00e2\u20ac\u0153right\u00e2\u20ac\u009d or \u00e2\u20ac\u0153wrong\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in photography. There are just different approaches. Experiment and discover what works for you.<\/p>\n<p><em>If you are interested in learning more about projects in street photography, download my free e-book: &#8220;<a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/02\/04\/free-e-book-the-street-photography-project-manual\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>The Street Photography Project Manual<\/strong><\/a>.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>66. Improve 1% Everyday<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26808\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26808\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26808\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/r0002070-3\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0002070-2.jpg?fit=4928%2C3264&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"4928,3264\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;GR II&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1452789031&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;560&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.025&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"R0002070\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Garden Grove, 2016&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0002070-2.jpg?fit=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26808\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0002070-2-2000x1325.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325\" alt=\"Garden Grove, 2016\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1325\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0002070-2.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0002070-2.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0002070-2.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0002070-2.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26808\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Garden Grove, 2016<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Without instruction, at a very early age, I could play the piano. Anything, particularly\u00e2\u20ac\u201dafter hearing it once. Not reading music. I would pass a quite fine piano in my house every time we came from the back from the front\u00e2\u20ac\u201dand every time I would pass it I would play a few things, and without any success at all. And I got a little better and better, and time went on. And maybe never playing the same one twice. It ain&#8217;t much different the way I work today, still [in photography].&#8221; &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/04\/10-lessons-william-eggleston-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">William Eggleston<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>It is easy to look at a body of work by an accomplished master photographer and feel that no matter how hard we work, we can never achieve as much as that photographer.<\/p>\n<p>The journey of a thousand steps begins with the first step. If you want to create a body of work in photography, you need to start off with a single photograph.<\/p>\n<p>If you want to improve your photography, just aim to become slightly a better photographer everyday. Aim to improve your photography by 1% everyday. You can improve your photography by taking more photos, studying master photographers, or analyzing photography books.<\/p>\n<p>By improving 1% everyday, you will see huge compounded interest in the course of a year.<\/p>\n<p>Great bodies of work take time. We need to be patient. Zen master Hakuin Ekaku explains:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dIt\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s like chopping down a huge tree of immense girth. You won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t accomplish it with one swing of your axe. If you keep chopping away at it, though, and do not let up, eventually, whether it wants to or not, it will suddenly topple down\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6But if the woodcutter stopped after one or two strokes of his axe to ask, &#8216;Why doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t this tree fall?&#8217; and after three or four more strokes stopped again, &#8216;Why doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t this tree fall?&#8217; he would never succeed in felling the tree. It is no different from someone who is practicing the Way.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; Hakuin Ekaku<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>1% improvement in a day is realistic. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t set unrealistic expectations for yourself, or you will become so overwhelmed and not start. Some suggestions:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Shoot 1% more photos everyday<\/li>\n<li>Provide 1% more critiques to other photographers on social media everyday<\/li>\n<li>Edit down your portfolio by 1% everyday<\/li>\n<li>Learn 1% new photographic theory everyday<\/li>\n<li>Try to be 1% happier everyday<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t hesitate; start now!<\/p>\n<h2>67. Take 1 photo everyday<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26809\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26809\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26809\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/processed-with-vscocam-with-a6-preset-106\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/americans-20.jpg?fit=2048%2C1152&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2048,1152\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Processed with VSCOcam with a6 preset&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;COPYRIGHT 2015. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Processed with VSCOcam with a6 preset&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Processed with VSCOcam with a6 preset\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;In-and-out, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/americans-20.jpg?fit=2000%2C1125&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26809\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/americans-20-2000x1125.jpg?resize=2000%2C1125\" alt=\"In-and-out, 2015\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1125\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/americans-20.jpg?resize=2000%2C1125&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/americans-20.jpg?resize=660%2C371&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/americans-20.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/americans-20.jpg?w=2048&amp;ssl=1 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26809\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">In-and-out, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>What is an easy way to get into physical shape? Just aim to do 1 pushup everyday.<\/p>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153But how can you get physically fit from just 1 pushup a day?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n<p>The secret is this: when you go down to do just 1 pushup, you end up doing more than 1 pushup. You might end up doing 5, 10, perhaps even 20 pushups. If you aim to do at least 1 pushup everyday, in the course of just a month you can become quite fit. The difficult part is overcoming the psychological burden of just getting down on the ground.<\/p>\n<p>In your photography, <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/07\/28\/the-one-street-photograph-a-day-challenge\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>aim to take 1 photograph everyday<\/strong><\/a>. Not every photograph you take everyday is going to be a good shot. But it is a good practice that keeps your eye sharp, and your trigger finger well greased and lubricated. If you aim to just make 1 photo a day, that might lead you to making 5, 10, 20 or even more photos.<\/p>\n<p>Then compound that over the course of a week, a month, a year, and a decade, and before you know it, you will have an incredible body of work in your photography.<\/p>\n<p>If that is too much pressure for you, aim to <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/05\/05\/take-at-least-1-shitty-photograph-everyday\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>take at least 1 &#8220;shitty&#8221; photo everyday<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>68. Make something extraordinary from the ordinary<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26810\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26810\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26810\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/americans-17-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-17.jpg?fit=3087%2C2048&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3087,2048\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Americans-17\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Nashville, 2014&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-17.jpg?fit=2000%2C1327&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26810\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-17-2000x1327.jpg?resize=2000%2C1327\" alt=\"Nashville, 2014\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1327\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-17.jpg?resize=2000%2C1327&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-17.jpg?resize=660%2C438&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-17.jpg?resize=768%2C510&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-17.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26810\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Nashville, 2014<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dI think it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s exciting to make something extraordinary out of the banal. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m not the kind of photographer that needs to travel to take pictures. I am not saying that there aren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t extraordinary images being made in Gaza and sometimes I wonder I should go to Gaza. But I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d probably get sick and be scared. I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want it. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m comfortable, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m not drawn to bullets. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m not drawn to danger.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211;&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/04\/03\/6-lessons-jeff-mermelstein-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jeff Mermelstein<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>One of the great things about street photography is that we don&#8217;t need to live in a super exotic or interesting place to make good photos. The beauty of street photography is to make powerful images from the ordinary and mundane.<\/p>\n<p>But what if you live in a really boring place, and you can&#8217;t see any beauty? Start off by taking photos of &#8220;ugly stuff&#8221;, as Rosa Eggleston (the wife of <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/04\/10-lessons-william-eggleston-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>William Eggleston<\/strong><\/a>) shares:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153[William] at one time said to his great, highly respected friend: &#8216;Well, what am I going to photograph? Everything here is so ugly.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 And our friend said, \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcPhotograph the ugly stuff.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 Well we were surrounded everywhere by this plethora of shopping centers and ugly stuff. And that is really initially what he started photographing.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; Rosa Eggleston<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Then over the course of several decades, <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/04\/10-lessons-william-eggleston-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>William Eggleston<\/strong><\/a> made an incredible body of work of pretty mundane and boring scenes. His city Memphis isn&#8217;t New York City, but he has really made his banal city beautiful. Photographer <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/01\/22\/12-lessons-joel-meyerowitz-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Joel Meyerowitz<\/strong><\/a> also agreed that the most beautiful art often comes from the ordinary of everyday life:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dWhy is it that the best poetry comes out of the most ordinary circumstances? You don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have to have extreme beauty to write beautifully. You don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have to have grand subject matter. This little dinky bungalow is my Parthenon. It has scale; it has color; it has presence; it is real: I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m not trying to work with grandeur. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m trying to work with ordinariness.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/01\/22\/12-lessons-joel-meyerowitz-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Joel Meyerowitz<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Embrace the plain, boring, mundane. Don&#8217;t strive to create high-brow &#8220;art&#8221;. Just document ordinary things as a photographer. <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/09\/05\/17-lessons-walker-evans-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Walker Evans<\/strong><\/a> shares his experiences:<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26878\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26878\" style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26878\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/auto-parts-shop-atlanta-georgia-c-1936-by-walker-evans\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Auto-Parts-Shop-Atlanta-Georgia-c.1936.-By-Walker-Evans.jpg?fit=1600%2C1014&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1600,1014\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Auto Parts Shop, Atlanta, Georgia, c.1936. By Walker Evans\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Auto Parts Shop, Atlanta, Georgia, c.1936. By Walker Evans&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Auto-Parts-Shop-Atlanta-Georgia-c.1936.-By-Walker-Evans.jpg?fit=1600%2C1014&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26878\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Auto-Parts-Shop-Atlanta-Georgia-c.1936.-By-Walker-Evans.jpg?resize=1600%2C1014\" alt=\"Auto Parts Shop, Atlanta, Georgia, c.1936. By Walker Evans\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1014\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Auto-Parts-Shop-Atlanta-Georgia-c.1936.-By-Walker-Evans.jpg?w=1600&amp;ssl=1 1600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Auto-Parts-Shop-Atlanta-Georgia-c.1936.-By-Walker-Evans.jpg?resize=660%2C418&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Auto-Parts-Shop-Atlanta-Georgia-c.1936.-By-Walker-Evans.jpg?resize=768%2C487&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26878\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Auto Parts Shop, Atlanta, Georgia, c.1936. By Walker Evans<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dForty years ago when I was going around with a camera I was doing some things that I myself thought were too plain to be works of art. I began to wonder &#8211; I knew I was an artist or wanted to be one &#8211; but I was wondering whether I really was an artist. But I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have any support. Most people would look at those things and say, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well, that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s nothing. What did you do that for? That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s just a wreck of a car or a wreck of a man. That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s nothing. That isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t art.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d They don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t say that anymore.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/09\/05\/17-lessons-walker-evans-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Walker Evans<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>You don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t need an expensive camera or live in an exotic place to make interesting photos. You just need a keen and curious eye, and the ability to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.<\/p>\n<p>Street photography in one sentence: <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/09\/03\/on-capturing-beauty-in-the-mundane\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>capture beauty in the mundane<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>69. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t see your photos as \u00e2\u20ac\u0153art\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26811\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26811\" style=\"width: 1545px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26811\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/img_1598\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1598.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1545,1024\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"IMG_1598\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Tokyo, 2014&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1598.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26811\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1598.jpg?resize=1545%2C1024\" alt=\"Tokyo, 2014\" width=\"1545\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1598.jpg?w=1545&amp;ssl=1 1545w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1598.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1598.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26811\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Tokyo, 2014<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dI don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think of my photos as works of art\u00e2\u20ac\u201dI see them as a fraction of a second in which my understanding and the worlds offering are unified in some way. That allows us to have some sort of open experience to share with whoever happens to look at the photo. So it isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t formal, it is more experiential.&#8221; &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/01\/22\/12-lessons-joel-meyerowitz-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Joel Meyerowitz<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Pretentiousness is what often blocks or obstructs many photographers. If you want to create more inspired images, don&#8217;t force yourself to create &#8220;art.&#8221; If you start thinking that your work has to be &#8220;Art&#8221; with a capital A, you will put unnecessary pressure on yourself, which can actually prevent you from creating beautiful photographs which can be considered as &#8220;art.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>By not thinking of your work as art, you can be more open to experimentation and failing and tying out different things for fun.<\/p>\n<h2>70. Constantly question yourself<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26812\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26812\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26812\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/r0000049-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0000049.jpg?fit=4928%2C3264&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"4928,3264\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;GR II&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1449352035&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;800&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.025&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"R0000049\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Hayward, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0000049.jpg?fit=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26812\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0000049-2000x1325.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325\" alt=\"Hayward, 2015\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1325\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0000049.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0000049.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0000049.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0000049.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26812\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Hayward, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153[I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m always] asking myself: \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcHow interesting is this medium? And how interesting can I make it for me? And, by the way, who the fuck am I?\u00e2\u20ac\u02dc\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/01\/22\/12-lessons-joel-meyerowitz-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Joel Meyerowitz<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>It can be painful to feel lost and confused in our photography. But don&#8217;t fret, this is absolutely normal. Even the master photographers constantly grapple with these questions.<\/p>\n<p>Photography is often a form of self discovery. And the more questions you ask yourself and the more you analyze your intentions in photography, the more you will grow, and the more you will become focused in your work.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/01\/22\/12-lessons-joel-meyerowitz-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Joel Meyerowitz<\/strong><\/a>, who was one of the most influential pioneers in color photographs even admits that he hasn&#8217;t found the definitive answer for himself yet:<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26879\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26879\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26879\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/91s8p-hzhdl\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/91s8p-HzhdL.jpg?fit=2560%2C1694&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2560,1694\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"91s8p-HzhdL\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;(c) Joel Meyerowitz&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/91s8p-HzhdL.jpg?fit=2000%2C1323&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26879\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/91s8p-HzhdL-2000x1323.jpg?resize=2000%2C1323\" alt=\"(c) Joel Meyerowitz\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1323\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/91s8p-HzhdL.jpg?resize=2000%2C1323&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/91s8p-HzhdL.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/91s8p-HzhdL.jpg?resize=768%2C508&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26879\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(c) Joel Meyerowitz<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dNo, not yet [smiling], and time is running out. But I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m getting there.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; Joel Meyerowitz<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>You will never 100% \u00e2\u20ac\u0153discover\u00e2\u20ac\u009d who you are as a photographer or human being. But it is the journey what makes it all worth it.<\/p>\n<h2>71. Feel emotions in color<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26813\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26813\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26813\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/americans-25-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-25.jpg?fit=4928%2C3264&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"4928,3264\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;4.5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;GR&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1368472341&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;400&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.00125&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Americans-25\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Detroit, 2014&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-25.jpg?fit=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26813\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-25-2000x1325.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325\" alt=\"Detroit, 2014\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1325\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-25.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-25.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-25.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-25.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26813\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Detroit, 2014<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dColor plays itself out along a richer band of feelings\u00e2\u20ac\u201dmore wavelengths, more radiance, more sensation. I wanted to se more and experience more feelings from a photograph, and I wanted bigger images that would describe things more fully, more cohesively.&#8221; &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/01\/22\/12-lessons-joel-meyerowitz-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Joel Meyerowitz<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Shooting color isn&#8217;t just purely for decorative purposes. Shooting color reveals a deeper psychological depth and emotions in a scene. <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/01\/22\/12-lessons-joel-meyerowitz-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Joel Meyerowitz<\/strong><\/a> explains the importance of how colors can evoke feelings, memories, and certain life experiences:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dA color photograph gives you a chance to study and remember how things look and feel in color. It enables you to have feelings along the full wavelength of the spectrum, to retrieve emotions that were perhaps bred in you from infancy\u00e2\u20ac\u201dfrom the warmth and pinkness of your mother\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s breast, the loving brown of you puppy\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s face, and the friendly yellow of your pudding. Color is always part of experience. Grass is green, not gray; flesh is color, not gray. Black and white is a very cultivated response.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; Joel Meyerowitz<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26880\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/91qpymrzo-l\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/91qPYMRzO-L.jpg?fit=2560%2C1731&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2560,1731\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"91qPYMRzO-L\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/91qPYMRzO-L.jpg?fit=2000%2C1352&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-26880\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/91qPYMRzO-L-2000x1352.jpg?resize=2000%2C1352\" alt=\"91qPYMRzO-L\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1352\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/91qPYMRzO-L.jpg?resize=2000%2C1352&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/91qPYMRzO-L.jpg?resize=660%2C446&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/91qPYMRzO-L.jpg?resize=768%2C519&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Whether you decide to shoot color or black and white realize that you have control over your palette:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dA photographer must choose a palette as painters choose theirs.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; Joel Sternfeld<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/01\/22\/12-lessons-joel-meyerowitz-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Joel Sternfeld<\/strong><\/a>, another pioneer in color photography also shares the challenge of color, which is how to abstract reality:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dBlack and white is abstract; color is not. Looking at a black and white photograph, you are already looking at a strange world. Color is the real world. The job of the color photographer is to provide some level of abstraction that can take the image out of the daily.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; Joel Sternfeld<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26881\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26881\" style=\"width: 1500px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26881\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/2014_sternfeld_joel_1500\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/2014_sternfeld_joel_1500.jpg?fit=1500%2C1123&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1500,1123\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;This photograph is protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, publ&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"2014_sternfeld_joel_1500\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Glen Canyon Dam, Page, Arizona, 1983 (c) Joel Sternfeld&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/2014_sternfeld_joel_1500.jpg?fit=1500%2C1123&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26881\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/2014_sternfeld_joel_1500.jpg?resize=1500%2C1123\" alt=\"Glen Canyon Dam, Page, Arizona, 1983 (c) Joel Sternfeld\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1123\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/2014_sternfeld_joel_1500.jpg?w=1500&amp;ssl=1 1500w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/2014_sternfeld_joel_1500.jpg?resize=660%2C494&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/2014_sternfeld_joel_1500.jpg?resize=768%2C575&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26881\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Glen Canyon Dam, Page, Arizona, 1983 (c) Joel Sternfeld<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Color isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t just decorative; it must have emotion as well to be memorable.<\/p>\n<p><em>To learn more how to make better color street photographs, read this&nbsp;composition lesson on &#8220;<a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/11\/26\/street-photography-composition-lesson-12-color-theory\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Color Theory<\/strong><\/a>.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>72. Never leave home without your camera<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26814\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26814\" style=\"width: 1545px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26814\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/img_1071-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1071.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1545,1024\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"IMG_1071\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Berlin, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1071.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26814\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1071.jpg?resize=1545%2C1024\" alt=\"Berlin, 2015\" width=\"1545\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1071.jpg?w=1545&amp;ssl=1 1545w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1071.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1071.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26814\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Berlin, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I carry [the 8&#215;10 camera] with me as I would carry a 35mm camera. In the very beginning, if I went for a drive or to the A&amp;P, the camera was in the back seat of the car; if I went for a walk down the street to visit a neighbor, or if I went to the beach, the camera was on my shoulder. No matter where I went, that camera was ever-present: parties, walks, shopping. It came from the discipline of carrying a 35mm at all times\u00e2\u20ac\u201din the early years you never saw me without a camera. I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to be in that position of saying, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh I saw a great shot, if only I had my camera.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/01\/22\/12-lessons-joel-meyerowitz-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Joel Meyerowitz<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Have you ever seen a great potential photograph, but you didn&#8217;t have your camera with you? It has happened to all of us at least once.<\/p>\n<p>I think one of the best disciplines that a photographer can have is always have a camera with him or her. I don&#8217;t necessarily feel that a photographer must take a photograph everyday (unless you want to), but the peace of mind of always having a camera on you (just in case) is wonderful:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dAt that time no photographer was without a camera. We got that from Henri Cartier-Bresson\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s being ready for &#8216;the decisive moment,&#8217; and from Robert Frank\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s traveling everywhere in America and making pictures of the Americans that seemed to occur in the most unexpected moments. Since my discipline was always to carry a camera, it didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t matter that when the size changed it became big and awkward; I still wanted to have it at all times. So I provided myself with the opportunity of making large-scale, highly detailed photographs of unusual moments.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/01\/22\/12-lessons-joel-meyerowitz-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Joel Meyerowitz<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Most of us have smartphones, with great cameras. If you ever find yourself without your main camera, know you can always use your smartphone camera. It is better to shoot a scene with a smartphone camera than not take a photograph at all.<\/p>\n<h2>73. Make a book<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26815\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26815\" style=\"width: 960px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26815\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/temp_1449466563823-1609982095-3\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/temp_1449466563823.1609982095.jpeg?fit=960%2C636&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"960,636\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"temp_1449466563823.1609982095\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Marseille, 2013&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/temp_1449466563823.1609982095.jpeg?fit=960%2C636&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26815\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/temp_1449466563823.1609982095.jpeg?resize=960%2C636\" alt=\"Marseille, 2013\" width=\"960\" height=\"636\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/temp_1449466563823.1609982095.jpeg?w=960&amp;ssl=1 960w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/temp_1449466563823.1609982095.jpeg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/temp_1449466563823.1609982095.jpeg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26815\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Marseille, 2013<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dBefore I lay out a book, I read the pictures many many times, until I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve absorbed the so-called meaning of each picture. My feeling about it &#8211; not intellectually, but my gut feeling about these pictures and how I relate to them, and then I just collect them all as miniatures, at three inches across, and I carry them with me like a deck of cards, and I lay them out, everytime I have a few minutes, I lay them out &#8211; I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m doing it now, for this next book &#8211; I lay them out and look and look, and then I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll see something that looks like a starting point!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211;&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/01\/22\/12-lessons-joel-meyerowitz-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Joel Meyerowitz<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Every photographer should aim to make at least 1 personally meaningful book in his or her lifetime. Why? A book can last decades, centuries, or perhaps even millennia (if well stored). A digital photograph on Instagram on your hard drive? Who knows how long that will be accessible (do you remember floppy or hard disks?)<\/p>\n<p>Seeing your photos printed out in a book is a unique experience. It is a unique way of looking at your images which more tangible, real, and personal. Furthermore, a book allows you to pair, sequence, and arrange images in novel and flexible ways.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/01\/22\/12-lessons-joel-meyerowitz-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Joel Meyerowitz<\/strong><\/a> shares his pairing process when he is putting together a book:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dI\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll put that picture first, and then I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll see what happens. What does it call, like magnetism, to itself? And what do these two call themselves, and what do these three call? Because it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not just about the next picture, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the weight of the three of them in a row. Five of them in a row. Ten! I can set-up certain rhythms or cadences, so that when you get to the third or fourth picture, you begin to realize the first picture again, like, \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcoh yeah, the first and fourth are linked!\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 And there are these links so that if you were to make a drawing of this book, if there were forty pictures &#8211; I could probably make a diagram that comes after the fact, not before the fact, that the first connects to the fourth and the tenth and on and on &#8211; and that there are these interconnections. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d be a fun thing to do, actually.&#8221; &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/01\/22\/12-lessons-joel-meyerowitz-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Joel Meyerowitz<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>You don&#8217;t need to get your books printed by some fancy publisher. Nowadays there are many great print on demand services like Blurb which give you high quality photo books without having to print 1,000s of them.<\/p>\n<p>What if you have no experience putting together a photography book, where do you start? You can start off by dissecting your favorite photography books from other photographers. <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/01\/22\/12-lessons-joel-meyerowitz-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Joel Meyerowitz<\/strong><\/a> gives some advice:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You should take your favorite book and take it apart that way and see why it works that way. What is it about the rhythm of these pictures that make you see it as a book, rather than a collection of pictures. I think, too many photographers make books that are just collections of pictures. You could throw them together any way and they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d be alright.&#8221;- Joel Meyerowitz<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/03\/29\/10-lessons-lee-friedlander-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Lee Friedlander<\/strong><\/a> also shares the joy of the process of putting together books:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I like making books\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 I realize that the nature of photography is such that I can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t see everything on first look, because photography has this ability to deal so well with information.&#8221; &#8211; Lee Friedlander<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26882\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26882\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26882\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/lee-friedlander-1\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/lee-friedlander-1.jpg?fit=4500%2C2978&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"4500,2978\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"lee-friedlander-1\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;(c) Lee Friedlander&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/lee-friedlander-1.jpg?fit=2000%2C1324&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26882\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/lee-friedlander-1-2000x1324.jpg?resize=2000%2C1324\" alt=\"(c) Lee Friedlander\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1324\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/lee-friedlander-1.jpg?resize=2000%2C1324&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/lee-friedlander-1.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/lee-friedlander-1.jpg?resize=768%2C508&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/lee-friedlander-1.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26882\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(c) Lee Friedlander<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The beautiful things about photography books is that they are like a nice wine, they get better with age. Friedlander continues:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dThere\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s so much information in a picture that often I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t see until the fifth reading or 30 years later.I can pick up Walker\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s book American Photographs today and see something I never saw before &#8211; and I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve owned that book for over 30 years. So I think that books are a great medium for photography. They seem to be the best. I can go back and re-read things &#8211; \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcOh shit, I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t see that before\u00e2\u20ac\u2122.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; Lee Friedlander<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t let your photos die on your hard drive. Convert them into photography prints or books; give them a physical life.<\/p>\n<h2>74. Juxtapose<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26817\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26817\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26817\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/suits-15-5-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-15-5.jpg?fit=3087%2C2048&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3087,2048\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;QSS-29_31&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Suits-15-5\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;NYC, 2014&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-15-5.jpg?fit=2000%2C1327&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26817\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-15-5-2000x1327.jpg?resize=2000%2C1327\" alt=\"NYC, 2014\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1327\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-15-5.jpg?resize=2000%2C1327&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-15-5.jpg?resize=660%2C438&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-15-5.jpg?resize=768%2C510&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-15-5.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26817\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">NYC, 2014<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I believe that recognition and the power of the frame to put disparate, unrelated things together\u00e2\u20ac\u201dsuddenly this guy who was going on his business doing all this stuff and this woman with her poodle\u00e2\u20ac\u201dthey have no knowledge of each other. But in your frame, it is context.&#8221; &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/01\/22\/12-lessons-joel-meyerowitz-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Joel Meyerowitz<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>One way to make stronger images is to put together unrelated things into a frame, which create a sense of juxtaposition, contrast, and context.<\/p>\n<p>If you&#8217;re not familiar with the term &#8220;juxtaposition,&#8221; it is essentially a fancy word which means contrast. It is when you put two different things or concepts together (side by side) that directly contrast or contradicts one another, yet there is some sort of relationship.<\/p>\n<p>A great juxtaposition in a photograph would include a young kid next to an old man, a tall person next to a short person, a person with a dark complexion next to a person with light complexion.<\/p>\n<p>If you&#8217;re out shooting street photography and you identify one interesting thing going on, see if you can add another element of interest to make the frame more complex. <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/01\/22\/12-lessons-joel-meyerowitz-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Joel Meyerowitz<\/a> continues on the point of making relationships in his photos:<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26883\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26883\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26883\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/91o6bd4zhxl\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/91o6Bd4ZhXL.jpg?fit=2560%2C1709&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2560,1709\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"91o6Bd4ZhXL\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;(c) Joel Meyerowitz&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/91o6Bd4ZhXL.jpg?fit=2000%2C1335&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26883\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/91o6Bd4ZhXL-2000x1335.jpg?resize=2000%2C1335\" alt=\"(c) Joel Meyerowitz\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1335\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/91o6Bd4ZhXL.jpg?resize=2000%2C1335&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/91o6Bd4ZhXL.jpg?resize=660%2C441&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/91o6Bd4ZhXL.jpg?resize=768%2C513&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26883\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(c) Joel Meyerowitz<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dI\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m going to go on record here\u00e2\u20ac\u201dwhen I think about my photographs, I understand that my interest all along has not been in identifying a singular thing. But in photographing the relationship between things. The unspoken relationships, the tacit relationship\u00e2\u20ac\u201dall of these variables are there if you choose to see in this way. But if you choose to only make objects out of singular things you will end up shooting the arrow into the bull\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s-eye all the time, and you will get copies of objects in space.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; Joel Meyerowitz<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>It us only through comparison, analogy, similarities, and differences can we create meaning. Without sadness we couldn&#8217;t have joy. Without dark we couldn&#8217;t have light.<\/p>\n<p>Much of street photography is to also show the hidden drama of everyday life. So if you&#8217;re able to make photos that show this tension between happiness and sorrow, hope and despair, old age versus youth in a single frame, you&#8217;re connecting with the viewer.<\/p>\n<p>By capturing these relationships in your photos, you&#8217;re also acknowledging your own humanity, as Meyerowitz continues:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want copies of objects\u00e2\u20ac\u201dI wanted the ephemeral connections between unrelated things to vibrate. And if my pictures work at all, at their best\u00e2\u20ac\u201dthey are suggesting these tenuous relationships. And that fragility is what is so human about them. And I think its what is in the \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcromantic tradition\u00e2\u20ac\u2122\u00e2\u20ac\u201dit is a form of humanism that says we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re all part of this together. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m not just a selector of objects.&#8221; &#8211; Joel Meyerowitz<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>What kind of connections can you make in your photos, and how can you make your viewers connect to your photos?<\/p>\n<h2>75. Pave your own path<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26818\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26818\" style=\"width: 1545px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26818\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/img_1449-3\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1449.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1545,1024\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"IMG_1449\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Cascais, Portugal, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1449.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26818\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1449.jpg?resize=1545%2C1024\" alt=\"Cascais, Portugal, 2015\" width=\"1545\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1449.jpg?w=1545&amp;ssl=1 1545w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1449.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1449.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26818\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Cascais, Portugal, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dI was enthralled by <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/04\/10-lessons-william-eggleston-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Eggleston<\/a>, as everybody was. But I knew if I was ever to make a mark, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d have to go to places he hadn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t headed. He owned the poetic snapshot, but I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d always had this leaning towards narrative, and so I began to lean a little harder.&#8221; &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/02\/14\/6-lessons-joel-sternfeld-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Joel Sternfeld<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>When learning photography, it is always great to study the work of the masters. The masters have put in decades of work, and have dedicated their lives to photography and their craft.<\/p>\n<p>We can gain a lot of inspiration from them but we should consider us more of our guides, rather than trying to follow them blindly and duplicate them.<\/p>\n<p>When <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/02\/14\/6-lessons-joel-sternfeld-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Joel Sternfeld<\/strong><\/a> started shooting, he was greatly inspired by the color photography of <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/04\/10-lessons-william-eggleston-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>William Eggleston<\/strong><\/a> (as were many other photographers). But Sternfeld knew that if he wanted to make his mark in the world of photography, he needed to go down his own path and road.<\/p>\n<h2>76. What do you want from your photography?<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26819\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26819\" style=\"width: 1545px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26819\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/img_1291-3\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1291.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1545,1024\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Marseille, 2015. My mom waving hello with the spiral staircase.\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Marseille, 2015. My mom waving hello with the spiral staircase. &lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1291.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26819\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1291.jpg?resize=1545%2C1024\" alt=\"Marseille, 2015\" width=\"1545\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1291.jpg?w=1545&amp;ssl=1 1545w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1291.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1291.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26819\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Marseille, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>One of my personal struggles in street photography was trying to find my own voice. And to be honest, I still don&#8217;t think I&#8217;ve found my true &#8220;voice.&#8221; However as time has gone on, I feel I finally have a bit more clarity in terms of what I want out of photography.<\/p>\n<p>Ultimately, I want to capture emotions in my photography. I want my photography to be a tool to empathize with my subjects. I want to make photos that pull at the viewers heart strings. Other details like what camera I use, what lens I use, whether I shoot black and white or color mean less to me now.<\/p>\n<p>Ask yourself why you shoot. Do you only shoot to <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/11\/05\/how-many-favorites-or-likes-are-enough\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>get likes, favorites, and comments<\/strong><\/a> on social media? Or do you really do it for yourself? And if you do it for yourself, what drives you?<\/p>\n<h2>77. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t constantly switch your equipment<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26820\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26820\" style=\"width: 1545px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26820\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/img_1358\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1358.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1545,1024\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"IMG_1358\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Berkeley, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1358.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26820\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1358.jpg?resize=1545%2C1024\" alt=\"Berkeley, 2015\" width=\"1545\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1358.jpg?w=1545&amp;ssl=1 1545w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1358.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1358.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26820\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Berkeley, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dThey&#8217;re humorous to watch, people who photograph, especially people who aren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t in tune with their equipment, because they don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know when they pick it up what it will do. If you work with the same equipment for a very long time, you will get more in tune to what is possible. But within that there are still surprises. But using a camera day after day after day, within a framework, I&#8217;ll do the same thing. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll back up and I&#8217;ll go forward with my body.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/03\/29\/10-lessons-lee-friedlander-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Lee Friedlander<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>In today&#8217;s society we are plagued by the disease of &#8220;G.A.S&#8221; (<strong><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/03\/04\/10-tips-on-how-to-cure-yourself-of-gas-gear-acquisition-syndrome\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Gear Acquisition Syndrome<\/a><\/strong>). The concept is that when we are dissatisfied with our photography (or don&#8217;t feel inspired), we wrongly believe that buying new cameras, lenses, or equipment will make us more creative or inspired.<\/p>\n<p>In reality what ends up happening is that we waste our valuable money, flit from one camera system to the next, trying to find the &#8220;perfect&#8221; camera for our needs.<\/p>\n<p>The reality? <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/16\/what-is-the-perfect-camera-for-you\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>No perfect camera exists<\/strong><\/a>. With every upside there is a downside. Not only that but because there are so many cameras out there, we never get really comfortable with one system.<\/p>\n<p>For me, I am constantly tempted to change my gear. I know that having new equipment is just going to be a distraction, but I am constantly tempted by gear review sites, advertising, and marketing.<\/p>\n<p>However I found the more cameras and lenses I owned the more stressed out I was. Before going out to shoot, I wouldn&#8217;t know which camera to use. I fell victim to &#8220;<a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2011\/11\/21\/how-to-avoid-paralysis-by-analysis-in-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>paralysis by analysis<\/strong><\/a>&#8221; and having too many choices hurt me.<\/p>\n<p>The solution? <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/04\/19\/3-reasons-why-you-should-shoot-with-one-camera-and-one-lens\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Stick with one camera and one lens<\/strong><\/a>. With only one camera and one lens, the benefit is there is no stress. You know exactly which camera and lens to take to shoot because you have no other options. This is another &#8220;creative constraint&#8221; that will help your vision as a photographer.<\/p>\n<p>Not only that, but when you stick with one camera and lens for a long time, you get to know the camera inside and out. You can change the controls of the camera without even thinking about it. You know all the buttons, dials, and how much to twist the focusing tab of your lens for a certain distance. You begin to worry less about technical settings and more about making the images you want.<\/p>\n<p>Another tip that has helped me: try to appreciate your camera more by imagining how sad you would be if you lost your camera (or if someone stole it). Or you can re-read old reviews of your current camera, and re-live your joy and enthusiasm for the equipment you already own.<\/p>\n<h2>78. Learn where to stand<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26821\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26821\" style=\"width: 1545px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26821\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/img_0885-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_0885.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1545,1024\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;QSS-32_33&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"IMG_0885\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Berkeley, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_0885.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26821\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_0885.jpg?resize=1545%2C1024\" alt=\"Berkeley, 2015\" width=\"1545\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_0885.jpg?w=1545&amp;ssl=1 1545w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_0885.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_0885.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26821\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Berkeley, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dThe question of where to stand is interesting. What we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re really talking about is a vantage point. If you look at amateurs or people taking pictures, they do funny things. Most people obviously don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know where to stand. They\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re standing too close, they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re contorted.&#8221; &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/03\/29\/10-lessons-lee-friedlander-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Lee Friedlander<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>One of the lessons I learned from Magnum photographer <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/05\/10-things-magnum-photographer-david-hurn-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>David Hurn<\/strong><\/a> is that the two main things you control in photography is where to stand (your position) and when to click the shutter (your timing). <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/03\/29\/10-lessons-lee-friedlander-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Lee Friedlander<\/strong><\/a> shares the importance of your position, and knowing where to stand when hitting the shutter:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dYou don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have to be a fancy photographer to learn where to stand. Basically you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re stuck with the frame and just like the person taking a picture of his family, who needs to go half a foot back &#8211; well, he doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t step half a foot back\u00e2\u20ac\u201dbut on the other hand, he knows where to be if he hits it right.&#8221; &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/03\/29\/10-lessons-lee-friedlander-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Lee Friedlander<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>You don&#8217;t need an expensive camera or equipment to know where to stand. Sometimes all you need to do to make a better photo is to take a step forward or backwards.<\/p>\n<h2>79. Expect to be disappointed<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26822\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26822\" style=\"width: 1545px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26822\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/img_1341\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1341.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1545,1024\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"IMG_1341\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Oakland, 2015. Shot from my car. &lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1341.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26822\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1341.jpg?resize=1545%2C1024\" alt=\"Oakland, 2015\" width=\"1545\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1341.jpg?w=1545&amp;ssl=1 1545w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1341.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1341.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26822\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Oakland, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s generally rather depressing to look at my contacts- one always has great expectations, and they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re not always fulfilled.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/09\/23\/14-lessons-elliott-erwitt-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Elliott Erwitt<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>No matter how good you are in photography, expect to be disappointed. Even the masters of photography are often disappointed when they&#8217;re looking through their photos.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I hate looking at my work. I delay it for as long as possible\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 I just know that it won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t live up to my own expectations.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/09\/23\/15-lessons-david-alan-harvey-taught-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">David Alan Harvey<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be disappointed at being disappointed. Rather know that your disappointment comes from the fact that you have high expectations for yourself. If you had low expectations for yourself, you would never be disappointed.<\/p>\n<p>In photography it is important to have high expectations. If you set your mark high, even if you miss, you still achieve a higher caliber of work. However learning from your mistakes can be the best instructor, as <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/05\/10-things-magnum-photographer-david-hurn-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>David Hurn<\/strong><\/a> explains:<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26886\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26886\" style=\"width: 701px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26886\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/contact-sheet-print-beatles-david-hurn_1024x1024\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Contact-Sheet-Print-Beatles-David-Hurn_1024x1024.jpg?fit=701%2C900&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"701,900\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Contact-Sheet-Print-Beatles-David-Hurn_1024x1024\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;David Hurn, contact sheet depicting The Beatles in London&amp;#8217;s Abbey Road Studios (c) David Hurn \/ Magnum Photos&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Contact-Sheet-Print-Beatles-David-Hurn_1024x1024.jpg?fit=701%2C900&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26886\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Contact-Sheet-Print-Beatles-David-Hurn_1024x1024.jpg?resize=701%2C900\" alt=\"David Hurn, contact sheet depicting The Beatles in London's Abbey Road Studios (c) David Hurn \/ Magnum Photos\" width=\"701\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Contact-Sheet-Print-Beatles-David-Hurn_1024x1024.jpg?w=701&amp;ssl=1 701w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Contact-Sheet-Print-Beatles-David-Hurn_1024x1024.jpg?resize=514%2C660&amp;ssl=1 514w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 701px) 100vw, 701px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26886\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">David Hurn, contact sheet depicting The Beatles in London&#8217;s Abbey Road Studios (c) David Hurn \/ Magnum Photos<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153The contact sheet is a valuable instructor. Presumably, when a photographer releases the shutter, it is become he believes the image worthwhile. It rarely is. If the photographer is self-crucial, he can attempt to analyze the reasons for the gap between expectation and actuality.&#8221; &#8211; David Hurn<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>How do we bridge the gap between creating what we expect and the final result? Think about how you can improve the photo next time you shoot a similar scene.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dCould the image be improved by moving backwards or forwards, by moving to the right or left? What would have been the result if the shutter were released a moment earlier or later? Ruthless examination of the contact sheet, whether one\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s own or another\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s, is one of the best teaching methods.&#8221; &#8211; David Hurn<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Work hard, but manage your expectations.<\/p>\n<h2>80. More megapixels, more problems<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26823\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26823\" style=\"width: 1545px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26823\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/img_1465\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1465.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1545,1024\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"IMG_1465\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Stockholm, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1465.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26823\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1465.jpg?resize=1545%2C1024\" alt=\"Stockholm, 2015\" width=\"1545\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1465.jpg?w=1545&amp;ssl=1 1545w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1465.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1465.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26823\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Stockholm, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153The workload with digital has certainly doubled with fieldwork. You have now to photograph, edit and send your images on the same day. You go back to your car or hotel room to download, caption and transmit your work. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s much more immediate and it becomes much more difficult to revisit the work.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.magnumphotos.com\/C.aspx?VP3=CMS3&amp;VF=MAGO31_10_VForm&amp;ERID=24KL535Y9H\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Paolo Pellegrin<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Digital photography is one of the greatest blessings in photography. It has helped democratize photography to the masses. With digital photography, we can learn a lot quicker from our mistakes.<\/p>\n<p>There are also downsides to digital photography. With digital photography, sometimes we feel too rushed to share our images. Other times, it is difficult to revisit our work after letting our images &#8220;<strong><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/06\/07\/the-importance-of-letting-your-photos-marinate\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">marinate<\/a><\/strong>.&#8221; Digital photography can also cut out some of the collaborative process:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Digital photography can permit greater sharing in the field, but cuts out collectively at the other end. Fewer people share the whole process. It used to be that you sent raw film in and often the Magnum editorial or another photographer would take a look at the contacts.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.magnumphotos.com\/C.aspx?VP3=CMS3&amp;VF=MAGO31_10_VForm&amp;ERID=24KL535EQH\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Susan Meiselas<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Not only that but the LCD screen is a blessing and a curse. One of the downsides of being able to see your images immediately is that you are given a false sense of certainty. Not seeing your photos on film made you work harder to get the image because the process was more uncertain:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dI still think not knowing what you \u00e2\u20ac\u02dchave\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 at the end of the day with film gives strength of the intensity when you work. It is a mystery and surprise. Now everyone spends more time looking at their screens, first on the camera and then the computer.&#8221; &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.magnumphotos.com\/C.aspx?VP3=CMS3&amp;VF=MAGO31_10_VForm&amp;ERID=24KL535EQH\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Susan Meiselas<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.magnumphotos.com\/C.aspx?VP3=CMS3&amp;VF=MAGO31_10_VForm&amp;ERID=24KL53ZNTZ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Gilles Peress<\/strong><\/a> also shares how with digital it is harder to reflect at the end of the day after a full day of shooting:<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26890\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26890\" style=\"width: 1058px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26890\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/par56870-4\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/PAR56870-3.jpg?fit=%2C&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"[]\" data-image-title=\"PAR56870\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;IRAN. Tabriz. 1980.  (c) Gilles Peress \/ Magnum Photos&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/PAR56870-3.jpg?ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26890\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/PAR56870-3.jpg?resize=1058%2C704\" alt=\"IRAN. Tabriz. 1980. (c) Gilles Peress \/ Magnum Photos \" width=\"1058\" height=\"704\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26890\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">IRAN. Tabriz. 1980. (c) Gilles Peress \/ Magnum Photos<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dWith film you kept track in your head of what you were shooting, and evenings could be spent on a mental recap of the work you had made: the technical demands of digital editing in the field, at their worst, mean \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcless reflection, less intelligence, less thinking time.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122&#8221; &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.magnumphotos.com\/C.aspx?VP3=CMS3&amp;VF=MAGO31_10_VForm&amp;ERID=24KL53ZNTZ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Gilles Peress<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Shooting film isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t better than digital. Digital isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t better than film. They are just different. There are <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/06\/02\/the-benefits-shooting-both-film-and-digital-in-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>benefits to shooting both digital and film<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>I have discovered that shooting digital requires more discipline than shooting film. Why? You need to be much more ruthless when editing your photos, because you end up shooting more than on film.<\/p>\n<p>When you shoot film, it is easier to let your photos \u00e2\u20ac\u0153marinate\u00e2\u20ac\u009d for a long time, which actually makes it easier to \u00e2\u20ac\u0153kill your babies.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n<p>At the end of the day, it doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t matter if you shoot film or digital. Shoot whatever medium suits you (or shoot both). Ultimately photography is about emotions and capturing the human condition; the tool you use doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t matter so much.<\/p>\n<p>To learn more about shooting film, read these articles:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/11\/13\/what-i-learned-shooting-100-rolls-of-black-and-white-tri-x-film-pushed-to-1600\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">What I Learned Shooting 100 Rolls of Black and White Film<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/03\/23\/what-i-learned-processing-164-rolls-of-film-after-waiting-a-year\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">What I Learned Processing 164 Rolls of Film After Waiting a Year<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/04\/25\/an-introduction-to-shooting-street-photography-with-film\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Introduction to Shooting Film in Street Photography<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/09\/02\/a-guide-on-how-to-shoot-street-photography-on-a-film-leica-or-rangefinder\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">A Guide on How to Shoot Street Photography on a Film Leica (or Rangefinder)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/04\/22\/why-digital-is-dead-for-me-in-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Why Digital Is Dead For Me In Street Photography<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>81. Experiment with film<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26824\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26824\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26824\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/americans-18-3\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-18.jpg?fit=4535%2C3035&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"4535,3035\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;RITSU KOKI&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Americans-18\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Pittsburgh, 2014&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-18.jpg?fit=2000%2C1338&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26824\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-18-2000x1338.jpg?resize=2000%2C1338\" alt=\"Pittsburgh, 2014\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1338\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-18.jpg?resize=2000%2C1338&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-18.jpg?resize=660%2C442&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-18.jpg?resize=768%2C514&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-18.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26824\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Pittsburgh, 2014<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>It doesn&#8217;t matter whether you shoot film or digital. There is not one &#8220;superior&#8221; format; they&#8217;re just different.<\/p>\n<p>If you have never shot film before, try it out. Just buy the cheapest film camera you can buy, some cheap film, and go out and shoot 20 rolls, and get them developed and scanned some local lab (many local labs and drugstores still process color film).<\/p>\n<p>Reflect on how the process of shooting film is different from digital. Then ultimately take those lessons and apply it to your digital photography. Or perhaps you can just end up sticking with film (or shooting both film and digital).<\/p>\n<p>What you will find with film is that it will teach you patience, appreciation of images, the enjoyment of the slower process, and the excitement and joy of finally seeing your images after a long time.<\/p>\n<h2>82. Kill your babies<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26825\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26825\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26825\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/elegance-seoul-2009-7\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/elegance-seoul-2009.jpg?fit=4368%2C2912&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"4368,2912\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS 5D&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1249217527&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;35&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;400&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.008&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"elegance, seoul, 2009\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Seoul, 2009. Shot in P mode.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/elegance-seoul-2009.jpg?fit=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26825\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/elegance-seoul-2009-2000x1333.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333\" alt=\"Seoul, 2009\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/elegance-seoul-2009.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/elegance-seoul-2009.jpg?resize=660%2C440&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/elegance-seoul-2009.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/elegance-seoul-2009.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26825\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Seoul, 2009<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dI am a tough editor of my work, and usually when I look at my contacts I find that I can go as many as fifty rolls without getting a good photo.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/08\/24\/5-lessons-bruce-gilden-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bruce Gilden<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Editing (choosing your best images) is one of the most important things in photography. The problem is nowadays &#8220;editing&#8221; is used interchangeably with &#8220;post processing.&#8221; So when many photographers say that they&#8217;re going to go home and &#8220;edit&#8221; their shots, what they really mean is that they&#8217;re going to go home and post-process their photos.<\/p>\n<p>What is the problem with this? The issue is that there is much more emphasis on post processing images (rather than having the discipline of choosing only your best photos). What ends up happening is that you think that post processing a so-so photo will suddenly make it better. But no amount of post processing can make a mediocre photo into a great photo.<\/p>\n<p>Know that photography is hard, especially street photography. <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/08\/24\/5-lessons-bruce-gilden-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Bruce Gilden<\/strong><\/a> admits that sometimes he has to shoot 50 rolls of film (1,800 images) before he gets a photo he likes.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26894\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26894\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26894\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/photooct0260328pm\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/PhotoOct0260328PM.jpg?fit=2592%2C1936&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2592,1936\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.4&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;iPad&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1349201008&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;4.28&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.066666666666667&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"PhotoOct0260328PM\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Contact sheet of Bruce Gilden, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yakuza\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, Tokyo, Japan, 1998. \u00c2\u00a9 Bruce Gilden \/ Magnum Photos&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/PhotoOct0260328PM.jpg?fit=2000%2C1494&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26894\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/PhotoOct0260328PM-2000x1494.jpg?resize=2000%2C1494\" alt=\"Contact sheet of Bruce Gilden, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yakuza\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, Tokyo, Japan, 1998. \u00c2\u00a9 Bruce Gilden \/ Magnum Photos\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1494\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/PhotoOct0260328PM.jpg?resize=2000%2C1494&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/PhotoOct0260328PM.jpg?resize=660%2C493&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/PhotoOct0260328PM.jpg?resize=768%2C574&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26894\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Contact sheet of Bruce Gilden, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yakuza\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, Tokyo, Japan, 1998. \u00c2\u00a9 Bruce Gilden \/ Magnum Photos<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Choosing your best shots is one of the most difficult decisions, especially when we shoot many photos of the same scene. The difficulty is that ultimately, you can only choose one image to represent your vision. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.magnumphotos.com\/C.aspx?VP3=CMS3&amp;VF=MAGO31_10_VForm&amp;ERID=24KL535UHJ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Leonard Freed<\/strong><\/a> expands on this idea:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It can be difficult to make a decision because you can like this frame for this reason, and that frame for that reason. Each photograph has its particular strength. But you only pick one. One has to represent all. So I am always trying to put everything into one image: the statement, the foundation, the composition, the story, the individual personality &#8211; all of that together into one image.&#8221; &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.magnumphotos.com\/C.aspx?VP3=CMS3&amp;VF=MAGO31_10_VForm&amp;ERID=24KL535UHJ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Leonard Freed<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>How do we best edit our photos? One tip, follow your gut. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.magnumphotos.com\/C.aspx?VP3=CMS3&amp;VF=MAGO31_10_VForm&amp;ERID=24KL53ZE3H\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Eli Reed<\/strong><\/a> says to choose the images that \u00e2\u20ac\u0153speak to you\u00e2\u20ac\u009d:<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26892\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26892\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26892\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/photooct0255818pm\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/PhotoOct0255818PM.jpg?fit=2592%2C1936&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2592,1936\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.4&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;iPad&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1349200698&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;4.28&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;160&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.066666666666667&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"PhotoOct0255818PM\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Contact sheet from Eli Reed, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Rwandan Refugees\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, Benaco, Tanzania, Winter 1995. \u00c2\u00a9 Eli Reed \/ Magnum Photos&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/PhotoOct0255818PM.jpg?fit=2000%2C1494&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26892\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/PhotoOct0255818PM-2000x1494.jpg?resize=2000%2C1494\" alt=\"Contact sheet from Eli Reed, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Rwandan Refugees\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, Benaco, Tanzania, Winter 1995. \u00c2\u00a9 Eli Reed \/ Magnum Photos\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1494\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/PhotoOct0255818PM.jpg?resize=2000%2C1494&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/PhotoOct0255818PM.jpg?resize=660%2C493&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/PhotoOct0255818PM.jpg?resize=768%2C574&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26892\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Contact sheet from Eli Reed, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Rwandan Refugees\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, Benaco, Tanzania, Winter 1995. \u00c2\u00a9 Eli Reed \/ Magnum Photos<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dOver three or four days I shot something like forty rolls of film. When I edit, I go for a gut, instinctual feeling. I started editing when I got the film back a day or two after I returned to the states. You are so aware of what you saw; the experiences that reflect in your mind. You don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 really forget the people and what they are going through. So I wanted to work on it immediately. Like anything else, when you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re trying to put down what you witnessed, you go for the pictures that speak to you.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; Eli Reed<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Also don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t ignore your heart and feelings, and integrate your memories into the editing process. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.magnumphotos.com\/C.aspx?VP3=CMS3&amp;VF=MAGO31_10_VForm&amp;ERID=24KL535NDZ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Larry Towell<\/strong><\/a> says how you can imbue your images with symbolism:<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26893\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26893\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26893\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/photooct0255959pm-3\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/PhotoOct0255959PM-3.jpg?fit=2592%2C1936&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2592,1936\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.4&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;iPad&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1349200799&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;4.28&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;125&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.066666666666667&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;6&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"PhotoOct0255959PM-3\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Contact sheet from Larry Towell, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Untitled\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, Ontario, Canada, 1996. \u00c2\u00a9 Larry Towell \/ Magnum Photos&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/PhotoOct0255959PM-3.jpg?fit=2000%2C1494&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26893\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/PhotoOct0255959PM-3-2000x1494.jpg?resize=2000%2C1494\" alt=\"Contact sheet from Larry Towell, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Untitled\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, Ontario, Canada, 1996. \u00c2\u00a9 Larry Towell \/ Magnum Photos\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1494\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/PhotoOct0255959PM-3.jpg?resize=2000%2C1494&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/PhotoOct0255959PM-3.jpg?resize=660%2C493&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/PhotoOct0255959PM-3.jpg?resize=768%2C574&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26893\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Contact sheet from Larry Towell, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Untitled\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, Ontario, Canada, 1996. \u00c2\u00a9 Larry Towell \/ Magnum Photos<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dWhen I look at a contact sheet, I try to remember the feeling I had when I took the frame. The memory of feeling helps me edit. Art for me is really simple. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s when a feeling overcomes you and you convey your feeling with symbols. In photography the symbols are the thing itself.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; Larry Towell<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>There are also times when you&#8217;re looking through your images, there are some that simply &#8220;jump off the page.&#8221; That is a great indicator that it is a strong image, as <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/08\/24\/5-lessons-bruce-gilden-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Bruce Gilden<\/strong><\/a> explains:<\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26895\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/_56622678_gildennyc98924\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/56622678_gildennyc98924.jpg?fit=624%2C510&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"624,510\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"_56622678_gildennyc98924\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/56622678_gildennyc98924.jpg?fit=624%2C510&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-26895\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/56622678_gildennyc98924.jpg?resize=624%2C510\" alt=\"_56622678_gildennyc98924\" width=\"624\" height=\"510\"><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dWhen I look at a contact sheet, I go in order from no 1 to no 36. I mark the ones I like, and unless something really jumps off the page at me, I go over them again to see which is the best one. With my personal work, I only print what I think is good. When something jumps off the page, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s easy.&#8221; &#8211;&nbsp;Bruce Gilden<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Another tip: I look at my photos in Lightroom as small thumbnails, which helps me better judge the composition and emotions of my images. I no longer look through all of my photos in full-screen.<\/p>\n<p>When you aren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t sure which image to choose, ask yourself: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What am I trying to communicate through this image?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d <a href=\"http:\/\/www.markpower.co.uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Mark Power<\/strong><\/a> had a similar difficulty, when he tried to edit down from 14,000 individual images. He ultimately asked himself, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What is this work really about?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d This gave him insight into what the project was about:<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26896\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26896\" style=\"width: 700px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26896\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/pom1996003w66029710\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/01_POM1996003W66-0297-10.jpg?fit=%2C&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"[]\" data-image-title=\"POM1996003W66\/0297\/10\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;(c) Mark Power&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/01_POM1996003W66-0297-10.jpg?ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26896\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/01_POM1996003W66-0297-10.jpg?resize=700%2C700\" alt=\"(c) Mark Power\" width=\"700\" height=\"700\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26896\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(c) Mark Power<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dDuring the four years I spent making <a href=\"http:\/\/www.markpower.co.uk\/projects\/THE-SHIPPING-FORECAST\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>The Shipping Forecast<\/strong><\/a> I exposed nearly 1,200 rolls of film, which amounts to 14,000 individual pictures. Editing this down to a manageable number was a major exercise. I had advice from several people whose opinion I respected, but this only served to confuse me more. So instead I asked myself what the work was really about, and the answer was far clearer: it was about my childhood. In the end, The Shipping Forecast doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t depend on outstanding individual pictures, but instead on its collective strength.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; Mark Power<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>It is often hard to edit your images just by yourself. Having outside opinions and advice can greatly help the process. <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/09\/14\/24-more-lessons-mary-ellen-mark-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Mary Ellen Mark<\/strong><\/a> trusts the opinions of those close to her:<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26897\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26897\" style=\"width: 1000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26897\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/remembering-mary-ellen-mark-a-legendary-documentarian-and-mentor-to-generations-of-photographers-405-body-image-1432763730\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/remembering-mary-ellen-mark-a-legendary-documentarian-and-mentor-to-generations-of-photographers-405-body-image-1432763730.jpg?fit=1000%2C661&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1000,661\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"remembering-mary-ellen-mark-a-legendary-documentarian-and-mentor-to-generations-of-photographers-405-body-image-1432763730\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Mary Ellen Mark: Amanda, right, and her cousin Amy in Valdese, North Carolina, 1990 \/ (c) Mary Ellen Mark&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/remembering-mary-ellen-mark-a-legendary-documentarian-and-mentor-to-generations-of-photographers-405-body-image-1432763730.jpg?fit=1000%2C661&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26897\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/remembering-mary-ellen-mark-a-legendary-documentarian-and-mentor-to-generations-of-photographers-405-body-image-1432763730.jpg?resize=1000%2C661\" alt=\"Mary Ellen Mark: Amanda, right, and her cousin Amy in Valdese, North Carolina, 1990 \/ (c) Mary Ellen Mark\" width=\"1000\" height=\"661\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/remembering-mary-ellen-mark-a-legendary-documentarian-and-mentor-to-generations-of-photographers-405-body-image-1432763730.jpg?w=1000&amp;ssl=1 1000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/remembering-mary-ellen-mark-a-legendary-documentarian-and-mentor-to-generations-of-photographers-405-body-image-1432763730.jpg?resize=660%2C436&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/remembering-mary-ellen-mark-a-legendary-documentarian-and-mentor-to-generations-of-photographers-405-body-image-1432763730.jpg?resize=768%2C508&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26897\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Mary Ellen Mark: Amanda, right, and her cousin Amy in Valdese, North Carolina, 1990 \/ (c) Mary Ellen Mark<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dI ask my husband or Teri who works for me in New York, to also look through the contact sheets and to pick the ones they like. It always helps to have an outside opinion. You are so close and so personally involved with your work, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hard to separate yourself from it and see it objectively.&#8221; &#8211; Mary Ellen Mark<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>I personally think that editing your photos is more difficult than shooting them. Any monkey can shoot a photograph, but it takes a rational, discerning, and experienced photographer to choose his or her best images.<\/p>\n<h2>83. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t look at your photos immediately<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26827\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26827\" style=\"width: 1326px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26827\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/965315_10102316338720456_1363426152_o\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/965315_10102316338720456_1363426152_o.jpg?fit=1358%2C2048&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1358,2048\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"965315_10102316338720456_1363426152_o\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Busan, 2013&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/965315_10102316338720456_1363426152_o.jpg?fit=1326%2C2000&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26827\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/965315_10102316338720456_1363426152_o-1326x2000.jpg?resize=1326%2C2000\" alt=\"Busan, 2013\" width=\"1326\" height=\"2000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/965315_10102316338720456_1363426152_o.jpg?resize=1326%2C2000&amp;ssl=1 1326w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/965315_10102316338720456_1363426152_o.jpg?resize=438%2C660&amp;ssl=1 438w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/965315_10102316338720456_1363426152_o.jpg?resize=768%2C1158&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/965315_10102316338720456_1363426152_o.jpg?w=1358&amp;ssl=1 1358w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26827\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Busan, 2013<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The problem with editing our own images is that we are often too emotionally attached to them. Often the memory of taking certain shots is so vivid that we think a shot is good. We treat our images like our children, and if you know anyone with ugly children you know, we think all of our children are beautiful.<\/p>\n<p>Your photos aren&#8217;t your babies or children. They&#8217;re just photographs. So you need to learn how to &#8220;<a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/08\/18\/kill-your-babies\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>kill your babies<\/strong><\/a>.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>There are many ways to kill your babies. You can first off ask people you trust to be brutally honest with you. You can show people certain shots you&#8217;re unsure of and simply ask them: &#8220;Keep or ditch?&#8221;, then ask them to explain why.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/08\/10-things-garry-winogrand-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Garry Winogrand<\/strong><\/a> famously wouldn&#8217;t process his photos for a year after he shot it to totally emotionally disconnect himself with his images, and to forget the photos he shot.<\/p>\n<p>You don&#8217;t have to wait an entire year, but I do advise for you to at least sit on your photos for a week before looking at them. This gives you enough distance with your photos which can help you make more objective decisions when editing your shots.<\/p>\n<h2>84. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t shoot for others<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26828\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26828\" style=\"width: 1545px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26828\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/img_1306-pick-3\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1306-pick-1.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1545,1024\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"IMG_1306-pick\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Berlin, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1306-pick-1.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26828\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1306-pick-1.jpg?resize=1545%2C1024\" alt=\"Berlin, 2015\" width=\"1545\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1306-pick-1.jpg?w=1545&amp;ssl=1 1545w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1306-pick-1.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1306-pick-1.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26828\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Berlin, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dWhat was happening in Czechoslovakia concerned my life directly: it was my country, my problem. That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s what made the difference between me and the other photographers who came there from abroad. I was not a reporter. I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know anything about photojournalism. I never photograph \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcnews\u00e2\u20ac\u2122. I photographed gypsies and theatre. Suddenly, for the first time in my life, I was confronted with that kind of situation, and I responded to it. I knew it was important to photograph, so I photographed. I took these pictures for myself, with no intention of publishing them.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/11\/25\/7-lessons-josef-koudelka-taught-photography-life\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Josef Koudelka<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>There are many photographers who make images hoping that they will get a lot of attention, acclaim, and <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/11\/05\/how-many-favorites-or-likes-are-enough\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>&#8220;likes&#8221; on social media<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>But that is the wrong approach; you need to first start off by shooting for yourself. Shoot as if you will never show your photos to anybody. This will make your images much more authentic and personal.<\/p>\n<p>Even if you become a world-famous photographer, realize that fame and fortune are fleeting. You might be famous for a day, but the next day you will be forgotten. Sooner or later, you will be ignored. Even the greatest photographers of history have faded into obscurity, or have faced financial difficulties.<\/p>\n<p>The chief reason to continue to photograph? Because you need to. Your soul requires it. If you go without shooting, you feel like you are dying inside. You should focus on shooting for self-fulfillment and self-gratification, rather than shooting for others. If nobody ever saw the images that you made, would you still shoot them?<\/p>\n<p>Focus on making your photography your passion, as <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/04\/10-things-alex-webb-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Alex Webb<\/strong><\/a> recommends:<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26898\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26898\" style=\"width: 1560px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26898\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/wea2001022k045-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/WebbAInstanbul2001.jpeg?fit=%2C&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"[]\" data-image-title=\"WEA2001022K045\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;TURKEY. Istanbul. 2001. Outside of the Blue Mosque during Ramadan. (c) Alex Webb \/ Magnum Photos&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/WebbAInstanbul2001.jpeg?ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26898\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/WebbAInstanbul2001.jpeg?resize=1560%2C1037\" alt=\"TURKEY. Istanbul. 2001. Outside of the Blue Mosque during Ramadan. (c) Alex Webb \/ Magnum Photos\" width=\"1560\" height=\"1037\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26898\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">TURKEY. Istanbul. 2001. Outside of the Blue Mosque during Ramadan. (c) Alex Webb \/ Magnum Photos<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dPhotograph because you love doing it, because you absolutely have to do it, because the chief reward is going to be the process of doing it. Other rewards \u00e2\u20ac\u201d recognition, financial remuneration come to so few and are so fleeting. And even if you are somewhat successful, there will almost inevitably be stretches of time when you will be ignored, have little income, or often both. Certainly there are many other easier ways to make a living in this society. Take photography on as a passion, not a career.&#8221; &#8211;&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/04\/10-things-alex-webb-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Alex Webb<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Many photographers pick up a camera as a hobby and because they love it. But then the idea of becoming a &#8220;professional&#8221; can taint their vision. Start off by taking photos for yourself; photos you care about. Then let everything follow.<\/p>\n<p>Nowadays I hear a lot of photographers rushing to become &#8220;professional.&#8221; They go out and buy tons of expensive professional gear, and hope to make a living doing wedding or commercial photography. Then once they get a few clients, they realize that they actually don&#8217;t like shooting professionally. They also soon lose their zest and passion for shooting, because it becomes more of a job than a passion.<\/p>\n<p>Realize that you don&#8217;t need to be a &#8220;professional&#8221; to be a good photographer. There are many benefits of being an amateur; you can shoot exactly what you want, without any expectations from others or clients.<\/p>\n<p>In some regards, there are a lot of downsides to being a &#8220;professional.&#8221; You become a slave to others, because you need to make photos you don&#8217;t care about just to pay the rent. Much better to have a 9-5 job to pay the bills, and utilize all of your free time to do the photography that really sets your heart on fire.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.christopherandersonphoto.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Christopher Anderson<\/strong><\/a> gives practical advice in terms of starting off by making photos that you enjoy, and perhaps professional photography will follow. But it is a process you shouldn&#8217;t force. Don&#8217;t be in a rush. If it happens, it happens. If it doesn&#8217;t happen, that is fine too:<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26899\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26899\" style=\"width: 1710px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26899\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/cap001-dup\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/CAP001-DUP.jpg?fit=1710%2C1140&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1710,1140\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"CAP001-DUP\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;(c) Christopher Anderson&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/CAP001-DUP.jpg?fit=1710%2C1140&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26899\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/CAP001-DUP.jpg?resize=1710%2C1140\" alt=\"(c) Christopher Anderson\" width=\"1710\" height=\"1140\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/CAP001-DUP.jpg?w=1710&amp;ssl=1 1710w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/CAP001-DUP.jpg?resize=660%2C440&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/CAP001-DUP.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26899\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(c) Christopher Anderson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dForget about the profession of being a photographer. First be a photographer and maybe the profession will come after. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be in a rush to make pay your rent with your camera. Jimi Hendrix didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t decide on the career of professional musician before he learned to play guitar. No, he loved music and and created something beautiful and that THEN became a profession. Make the pictures you feel compelled to make and perhaps that will lead to a career. But if you try to make the career first, you will just make shitty pictures that you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t care about.&#8221; &#8211; Christopher Anderson<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>If you have the talent to make great images, people will soon take notice of you by the quality of the images you make. This is a better route than trying to make photos that will please others:<\/p>\n<p>Only shoot photos what you feel like shooting, rather than what you think others will find interesting. The best innovations often come from ignoring everybody else, and going opposite from the crowd, as <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/04\/07\/18-lessons-richard-kalvar-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Richard Kalvar<\/strong><\/a> explains:<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26903\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26903\" style=\"width: 1051px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26903\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/usa-new-york-city-1969-woman-looking-at-herself-in-store-window-3\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/PAR92911-1.jpg?fit=%2C&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"[]\" data-image-title=\"USA. New York City. 1969. Woman looking at herself in store window.\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;USA. New York City. 1969. Woman looking at herself in store window. (c) Richard Kalvar \/ Magnum Photos&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/PAR92911-1.jpg?ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26903\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/PAR92911-1.jpg?resize=1051%2C704\" alt=\"USA. New York City. 1969. Woman looking at herself in store window. (c) Richard Kalvar \/ Magnum Photos\" width=\"1051\" height=\"704\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26903\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">USA. New York City. 1969. Woman looking at herself in store window. (c) Richard Kalvar \/ Magnum Photos<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dI think that I do what I feel like doing, which may not follow contemporary fashions but which comes spontaneously from the heart, the guts and the brain. To me, that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s what counts.\u00e2\u20ac\u0153 &#8211; Richard Kalvar<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t follow the crowd; follow your own heart and intuition. Only shoot for yourself.<\/p>\n<h2>85. Photograph your own backyard<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26829\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26829\" style=\"width: 1545px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26829\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/img_0889\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_0889.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1545,1024\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;QSS-32_33&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"IMG_0889\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Berkeley, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_0889.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26829\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_0889.jpg?resize=1545%2C1024\" alt=\"Berkeley, 2015\" width=\"1545\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_0889.jpg?w=1545&amp;ssl=1 1545w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_0889.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_0889.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26829\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Berkeley, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I just made my photos in Wilkes-Barre and a few other places because I wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t the kind of photographer who liked to, or needed to, travel around the world. That reminds me, I saw something you had said about how artistic range effects an artist\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s development over time. And I work on an extremely narrow range, in terms of my method and technical issues, too. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s what is in my head that has developed over time. So I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve just kept taking pictures in the same two counties [Wilkes-Barre and Scranton].\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/02\/17\/14-lessons-mark-cohen-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\">Mark Cohen<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>It is always hard to shoot your own backyard. We become accustomed to our own neighborhood, and it is easy to become jaded.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/02\/17\/14-lessons-mark-cohen-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Mark Cohen<\/strong><\/a> is a photographer who documented his own \u00e2\u20ac\u0153boring\u00e2\u20ac\u009d small town for several decades, and made interesting photographs. He didn&#8217;t need to be in NYC, Tokyo, or Paris. He made his own backyard his Paris.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26904\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26904\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26904\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/mark-cohen-1-bubblegum-1975\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Mark-Cohen-1-Bubblegum-1975-.jpg?fit=3000%2C2069&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3000,2069\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Mark-Cohen-1-Bubblegum-1975-\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Bubblegum, 1975 (c) Mark Cohen&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Mark-Cohen-1-Bubblegum-1975-.jpg?fit=2000%2C1379&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26904\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Mark-Cohen-1-Bubblegum-1975--2000x1379.jpg?resize=2000%2C1379\" alt=\"Bubblegum, 1975 (c) Mark Cohen\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1379\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Mark-Cohen-1-Bubblegum-1975-.jpg?resize=2000%2C1379&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Mark-Cohen-1-Bubblegum-1975-.jpg?resize=660%2C455&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Mark-Cohen-1-Bubblegum-1975-.jpg?resize=768%2C530&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Mark-Cohen-1-Bubblegum-1975-.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26904\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Bubblegum, 1975 (c) Mark Cohen<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>You can often find beauty in the most ordinary places. Many photographers bemoan the fact that they don&#8217;t live somewhere exotic; but you can find beauty regardless of where you are.<\/p>\n<p>To be alive and on the planet Earth is a blessing. You can find beauty in the conversation of an old couple at a local coffee shop, a child playing, or someone enjoying the warm rays of the sun in a park.<\/p>\n<p>There is a hidden benefit of living in a boring place&#8211; the more boring the place you live, the harder you have to work to make interesting photos. That sort of challenge helps you be more creative.<\/p>\n<p>Photographer <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/11\/04\/7-lessons-saul-leiter-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Saul Leiter<\/strong><\/a> lived a pretty obscure life. Leiter didn&#8217;t care for fame, he cared to just capture beauty whenever he saw it. He also focused on capturing beauty rather than misery, pain, and distress in the world (like a lot of other photographers do):<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26907\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26907\" style=\"width: 1280px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26907\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/pf98331_l\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/PF98331_l.jpeg?fit=1280%2C1923&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1280,1923\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"PF98331_l\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Saul Leiter \/ Lanesville, 1958,1958&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/PF98331_l.jpeg?fit=1280%2C1923&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26907\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/PF98331_l.jpeg?resize=1280%2C1923\" alt=\"Saul Leiter \/ Lanesville, 1958,1958\" width=\"1280\" height=\"1923\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/PF98331_l.jpeg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/PF98331_l.jpeg?resize=439%2C660&amp;ssl=1 439w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/PF98331_l.jpeg?resize=768%2C1154&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26907\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Saul Leiter \/ Lanesville, 1958,1958<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dI never thought of the urban environment as isolating. I leave these speculations to others. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s quite possible that my work represents a search for beauty in the most prosaic and ordinary places. One doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have to be in some faraway dreamland in order to find beauty. I realize that the search for beauty is not highly popular these days. Agony, misery and wretchedness, now these are worth perusing.&#8221; &#8211; Saul Leiter<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>I personally find re-inspired by the place I live in by leaving and traveling. Then once I come back home, I appreciate my backyard even more.<\/p>\n<h2>86. Make images that stand on their own<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26830\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26830\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26830\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/americans-22-4\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-22.jpg?fit=4368%2C2912&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"4368,2912\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0.01&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS 5D&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1314466307&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;6.9657836644592&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;800&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.12827758789062&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Americans-22\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Downtown LA, 2011&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-22.jpg?fit=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26830\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-22-2000x1333.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333\" alt=\"Downtown LA, 2011\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-22.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-22.jpg?resize=660%2C440&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-22.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Americans-22.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26830\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Downtown LA, 2011<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dTo be honest with you, I always try to think of the specific pictures. What\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s important to me is to make strong, individual pictures. When I look at a documentary photographer or photojournalist whose work I really love- somebody like Eugene Smith-it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s because the images are single images. I think of his great picture stories as stories where the images really stood by themselves. In Life\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s &#8216;Country Doctor,&#8217; for example, you remember each image. They weren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t only linking images -each one was strong, and each can stand alone. I think in great magazine or newspaper photography every picture can stand on its own; it doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t need the other pictures to support it to tell a story.&#8221; &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/09\/14\/24-more-lessons-mary-ellen-mark-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mary Ellen Mark<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>One analogy I heard about writing is that instead of thinking of writing a &#8220;book,&#8221; try to write perfect paragraphs. Every time you write a perfect paragraph, you are making a pearl. And with enough pearls, you can connect them and make a beautiful pearl necklace.<\/p>\n<p>You can also apply the same thinking to your photos. Try to make each photograph into a perfect pearl. Make each photograph a strong one that can stand on its own, without any sort of caption or outside context.<\/p>\n<p>A strong single image is often universal, and can be appreciated by anybody, regardless of their culture, worldview, or age. <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/09\/14\/24-more-lessons-mary-ellen-mark-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Mary Ellen Mark<\/strong><\/a> explains:<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26908\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26908\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26908\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/world-renowned-photographer-mary-ellen-mark\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/ST-mark12841432674908.jpg?fit=3000%2C1998&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3000,1998\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Mary Ellen Mark&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;\\&quot;Rat\\&quot; and Mike with a gun, Seattle, Washington, 1983 (Mary Ellen Mark)\\r\\rMANDATORY CREDIT - ONE TIME USE ONLY IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE STYLE OBIT RUNNING MAY 27, 2015&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1432664315&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;All rights Mary Ellen Mark&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;World Renowned Photographer Mary Ellen Mark&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"World Renowned Photographer Mary Ellen Mark\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;&amp;#8220;Rat&amp;#8221; and Mike with a gun, Seattle, Washington, 1983  \/ Mary Ellen Mark&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/ST-mark12841432674908.jpg?fit=2000%2C1332&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26908\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/ST-mark12841432674908-2000x1332.jpg?resize=2000%2C1332\" alt=\"&quot;Rat&quot; and Mike with a gun, Seattle, Washington, 1983 \/ Mary Ellen Mark\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1332\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/ST-mark12841432674908.jpg?resize=2000%2C1332&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/ST-mark12841432674908.jpg?resize=660%2C440&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/ST-mark12841432674908.jpg?resize=768%2C511&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/ST-mark12841432674908.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26908\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">&#8220;Rat&#8221; and Mike with a gun, Seattle, Washington, 1983 \/ Mary Ellen Mark<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dWhat I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m trying to do is make photographs that are universally understood, whether in China or Russia or America\u00e2\u20ac\u2018photographs that cross cultural lines. So if the project is about street performers, it touches those little things and whimsies we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re all interested in -animals and people and anthropomorphic qualities. If it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s about famine in Ethiopia, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s about the human condition all over the world: It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s about people dying in the streets of New York as much as it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s about Ethiopia. I want my photographs to be about the basic emotions and feelings that we all experience.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; Mary Ellen Mark<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>A strong single-image will burn itself into the mind of the viewer, and live with them. Even if you have created one memorable single-image before you die, you have done your job as a photographer.<\/p>\n<h2>87. What counts is the result<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26831\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26831\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26831\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/img_cupping\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_Cupping.jpg?fit=4928%2C3264&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"4928,3264\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;3.2&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;GR&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1442063589&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;200&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.02&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"IMG_Cupping\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Berkeley, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_Cupping.jpg?fit=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26831\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_Cupping-2000x1325.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325\" alt=\"Berkeley, 2015\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1325\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_Cupping.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_Cupping.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_Cupping.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_Cupping.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26831\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Berkeley, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dWhat counts is the result. It works or it doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t work. You may think after you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve taken a picture that you may have something. And then you find out that you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have anything, that you almost had something but that in fact, you pressed the button at the wrong time. That you took a lot of pictures, but you were on auto-pilot &#8211; that instead of waiting, you shot buckshot at it, so you missed the one that might really work.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/04\/07\/18-lessons-richard-kalvar-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Richard Kalvar<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>It is common we make photos that &#8220;almost&#8221; work. But ultimately, a photo either works or it doesn&#8217;t work. There is no need to beat around the bush.<\/p>\n<p>If you didn&#8217;t get the shot right \u00e2\u20ac\u0153in-camera,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d don&#8217;t think that excessive cropping, vignette adding, making it black and white, HDR, selective color, or post processing can salvage the image.<\/p>\n<p>The process of making photos is important, but know at the end of the day, the result of the photograph is the most important. You can have the most interesting backstory in terms of how you shot a scene, but if the result of the photograph isn&#8217;t interesting, nobody will care.<\/p>\n<p>Learn to be honest with yourself and your images. Be sincere to yourself; ask yourself, &#8220;Does this shot work, or not?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>I have generally found with my photographs, if I have to hesitate whether I think works or not, it doesn&#8217;t work. Also when editing my photos, if a photograph is a &#8220;maybe&#8221;, it doesn&#8217;t work. The good photos you take generally tend to be quite obvious.<\/p>\n<p>As a general rule remember: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153<a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/01\/26\/60-street-photography-heuristics-rules-of-thumb-i-believe-in-and-try-to-follow\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>When in doubt, ditch<\/strong><\/a>.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n<h2>88. Abstract reality<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26833\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26833\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26833\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/colors-24-4\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Colors-24.jpg?fit=3088%2C2048&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3088,2048\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Colors-24\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Melbourne, 2013&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Colors-24.jpg?fit=2000%2C1326&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26833\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Colors-24-2000x1326.jpg?resize=2000%2C1326\" alt=\"Melbourne, 2013\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1326\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Colors-24.jpg?resize=2000%2C1326&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Colors-24.jpg?resize=660%2C438&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Colors-24.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Colors-24.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26833\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Melbourne, 2013<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153In order for the mystery to work, you need abstraction from reality. Black and white is an additional abstraction, in addition to selective framing, to the freezing of the moment that in reality is a part of an infinite number of other moments (you have one moment and it never moves again; you can keep looking at the picture forever). The black and white is one more step away from reality. Color, for me, is realer, but less interesting.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/04\/07\/18-lessons-richard-kalvar-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Richard Kalvar<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Reality can be boring. What the viewer is interested in seeing is the abstraction of reality, not reality itself. So think to yourself, when you are making photos, what is the extra layer that makes the image interesting?<\/p>\n<p>How can we make reality more surreal and abstract? You can start off by trying to \u00e2\u20ac\u0153lie with reality,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d as <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/04\/07\/18-lessons-richard-kalvar-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Richard Kalvar<\/strong><\/a> explains:<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26909\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26909\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26909\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/89890p\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/89890P.jpg?fit=%2C&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"[]\" data-image-title=\"89890P\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;(c) Richard Kalvar \/ Magnum Photos&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/89890P.jpg?ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26909\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/89890P-2000x1311.jpg?resize=2000%2C1311\" alt=\"(c) Richard Kalvar \/ Magnum Photos\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1311\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26909\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(c) Richard Kalvar \/ Magnum Photos<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dThat\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s part of the magic of photography. Look at a picture and you have no idea what was going on. The only thing you can know is what\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s visually depicted, and we all know photographers lie. That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s where the fun comes in. To be able to tell a lie with \u00e2\u20ac\u0153reality\u00e2\u20ac\u009d is a very tough trick.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/04\/07\/18-lessons-richard-kalvar-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Richard Kalvar<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>You don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to make your photos too obvious. You want the viewer to work hard to come up with his or her own interpretation of reality. You do this by adding mystery and removing context from your images:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dAs a photographer if your photos are too obvious then you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re missing the point. Photos are about mystery, about not knowing, about dreams, and the more you know about that\u00e2\u20ac\u201dthen you can recognize them on the street.&#8221; &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/10\/18\/interview-with-jason-eskanazi-on-wonderland-a-fairytale-of-the-soviet-monolith-a-10-year-odyssey-around-the-former-soviet-union\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jason Eskenazi<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Another approach you can have in street photography is to try to create \u00e2\u20ac\u0153little dramas\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in your frame. You want to create little mini-stories in your images, and you want them to stay open ended. You want the viewer to come up with their own interpretation of the scene:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m trying to create little dramas that lead people to think, to feel, to dream, to fantasize, to smile\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s more than just catching beautiful moments; I want to fascinate, to hypnotize, to move my viewers. Making greater statements about the world is not my thing. I think there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a coherence in the work that comes not from an overriding philosophy but from a consistent way of looking and feeling.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/04\/07\/18-lessons-richard-kalvar-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Richard Kalvar<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t make \u00e2\u20ac\u0153obvious\u00e2\u20ac\u009d photos. Make your viewer work to interpret your images and reality.<\/p>\n<h2>89. Capture your own personal \u00e2\u20ac\u0153decisive moments\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26834\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26834\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26834\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/attachment\/95110021\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/95110021.jpg?fit=3087%2C2048&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3087,2048\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;QSS-29_31&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"95110021\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Berkeley, 2014&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/95110021.jpg?fit=2000%2C1327&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26834\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/95110021-2000x1327.jpg?resize=2000%2C1327\" alt=\"Berkeley, 2014\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1327\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/95110021.jpg?resize=2000%2C1327&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/95110021.jpg?resize=660%2C438&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/95110021.jpg?resize=768%2C510&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/95110021.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26834\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Berkeley, 2014<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dSometimes it happens that you stall, delay, wait for something to happen. Sometimes you have the feeling that here are all the makings of a picture &#8211; except for just one thing that seems to be missing. But what one thing? Perhaps someone suddenly walks into your range of view. You follow his progress through the viewfinder. You wait and wait, and then finally you press the button &#8211; and you depart with the feeling (though you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know why) that you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve really got something. Later, to substantiate this, you can take a print of this picture, trace it on the geometric figures which come up under analysis, and you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll observe that, if the shutter was released at the decisive moment, you have instinctively fixed a geometric pattern without which the photograph would have been both formless and lifeless.&#8221; &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/12\/09\/17-lessons-henri-cartier-bresson-taught-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Henri Cartier-Bresson<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>When we are shooting images, we never fully know which moment will be \u00e2\u20ac\u0153decisive.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d But when we are shooting, we sometimes have a gut feeling or an intuition that a certain moment might be significant. At that moment, we must click the shutter.<\/p>\n<p>It is hard to know which moments are significant while we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re shooting, so we need to take a risk. Whenever you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re in doubt or think a moment might be interesting, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think too much. Just click the shutter.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/12\/09\/17-lessons-henri-cartier-bresson-taught-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Henri Cartier-Bresson<\/strong><\/a> expands the concept of the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153<a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/05\/23\/debunking-the-myth-of-the-decisive-moment\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>decisive moment<\/strong><\/a>\u00e2\u20ac\u009d below:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dTo me, photography is the simultaneous recognition, in a fraction of a second, of the significance of an event as well as of a precise organization of forms which give that event its proper expression.&#8221; &#8211; Henri Cartier-Bresson<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>But which moment is \u00e2\u20ac\u0153decisive\u00e2\u20ac\u009d and which moment isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t \u00e2\u20ac\u0153decisive?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ultimately, it is a judgement call. Every single moment which we think might be significant is personal:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dYour decisive moment is not the same as mine, but most of us are looking for a moment that is necessary for what we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re trying to do. Unnecessary moments quickly become easy, common, and boring.&#8221; &#8211; Richard Kalvar<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Capture fewer \u00e2\u20ac\u0153decisive moments\u00e2\u20ac\u009d of people jumping over puddles, and more personal decisive moments. Make meaningful photos of your close friends, loved ones, and family. Make photos that you think are going to be meaningful on your deathbed. Make photos that aren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t going to get tons of \u00e2\u20ac\u0153likes\u00e2\u20ac\u009d on social media, but will bring you inner-happiness and satisfaction.<\/p>\n<h2>90. Rules will set you free<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26835\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26835\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26835\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/r0001152-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0001152.jpg?fit=4928%2C3264&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"4928,3264\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;4.5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;GR II&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1450870046&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;200&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.011111111111111&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"R0001152\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Anaheim, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0001152.jpg?fit=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26835\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0001152-2000x1325.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325\" alt=\"Anaheim, 2015\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1325\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0001152.jpg?resize=2000%2C1325&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0001152.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0001152.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/R0001152.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26835\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Anaheim, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dI didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t write the rules, but following them set me free.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211;&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/04\/07\/18-lessons-richard-kalvar-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Richard Kalvar<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>As artists we have a knee-jerk reaction against \u00e2\u20ac\u0153rules.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d We want to be open, free, and unlimited in our creativity. But know that often having rules can help us be more creative.<\/p>\n<p>Certain \u00e2\u20ac\u0153rules\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in photography include not cropping, not mixing color and black and white in a series, not posing your photos, not to use zoom lenses, and not applying gimmicky post-processing to your photos.<\/p>\n<p>Know that these \u00e2\u20ac\u0153rules\u00e2\u20ac\u009d are simply \u00e2\u20ac\u0153<a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/08\/06\/the-beauty-of-creative-constraints-in-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>creative constraints<\/strong><\/a>.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/04\/07\/18-lessons-richard-kalvar-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Richard Kalvar<\/strong><\/a> followed a lot of the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153rules\u00e2\u20ac\u009d from <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/12\/09\/17-lessons-henri-cartier-bresson-taught-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Henri Cartier-Bresson<\/strong><\/a>, and first disdained them. But over time, he found out how these rules ended up helping his photography:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dSometimes it turns out that the things that you do for the wrong reasons turn out to be the right things to do anyway. In retrospect, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m really glad that I decided not to crop, because that developed my compositional discipline and my ability to organize a picture instinctively, in the viewfinder. It also obliged me to work very close up to my subjects in order to fill my 35mm lens frame. I had to be a toreador, not a sniper. Also, I had the feeling of doing something difficult, getting the picture right in the first place; anyone could crop a picture and find something interesting, but doing it in the camera was special. These things were essential to my photographic development.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/04\/07\/18-lessons-richard-kalvar-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Richard Kalvar<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>When you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re starting off any creative endeavor, you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to have too many options. It is good to set these artificial boundaries and rules for yourself.<\/p>\n<p>By having these \u00e2\u20ac\u0153<a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/08\/13\/the-benefits-of-constraints-in-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>creative constraints<\/strong><\/a>,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d you will force yourself to be more creative given your limited options. Imagine a kid who doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have any toys at home. He will take a refrigerator cardboard box and turn it into a fort. He will take plastic bags and turn them into parachutes for his little toy soldiers. He will innovate creative ideas given the few things he might have.<\/p>\n<p>I personally believe that having some rules and structure in your life helps give you more creative freedom. Sometimes having <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/09\/04\/having-no-choices-is-the-ultimate-freedom\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>no choices is the ultimate freedom<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>For example, I have a personal rule in writing (I am not allowed to turn on the internet before noon). I use an app called \u00e2\u20ac\u0153<a href=\"http:\/\/freedom.to\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Freedom<\/a>\u00e2\u20ac\u009d on the Mac which shuts down my internet for a pre-determined period of time. This \u00e2\u20ac\u0153rule\u00e2\u20ac\u009d has helped me become much more focused and productive as a writer (I currently have my internet disabled as I write these words).<\/p>\n<p>Another rule you can set yourself: don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t go a day without taking a single photograph. This \u00e2\u20ac\u0153rule\u00e2\u20ac\u009d is a positive one, rather than that of a dictator.<\/p>\n<p>Many \u00e2\u20ac\u0153rules\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in photography are just guidelines and suggestions. But there is a reason why so many of these \u00e2\u20ac\u0153rules\u00e2\u20ac\u009d stick around for a long time in history (because there is some wisdom and usefulness in them).<\/p>\n<p>If you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re starting off in street photography, adhere to simple rules like don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t zoom, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t crop, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t constantly switch your equipment, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t publish too many photos, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t mix color and black-and-white.<\/p>\n<p>Once you have learned these \u00e2\u20ac\u0153rules\u00e2\u20ac\u009d and learned why they are rules, then you can break away from them and kill them.<\/p>\n<h2>91. Experiment<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26836\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26836\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26836\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/processed-with-vscocam-with-a6-preset-107\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/2015-05-27-11.40.47-1.jpg?fit=5312%2C2988&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"5312,2988\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;LG-H815&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Processed with VSCOcam with a6 preset&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1432726319&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;COPYRIGHT 2015. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;4.42&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;50&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0037453183520599&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Processed with VSCOcam with a6 preset&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Processed with VSCOcam with a6 preset\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Huntington Beach, 2015. Shot on phone. &lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/2015-05-27-11.40.47-1.jpg?fit=2000%2C1125&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26836\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/2015-05-27-11.40.47-1-2000x1125.jpg?resize=2000%2C1125\" alt=\"Huntington Beach, 2015\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1125\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/2015-05-27-11.40.47-1.jpg?resize=2000%2C1125&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/2015-05-27-11.40.47-1.jpg?resize=660%2C371&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/2015-05-27-11.40.47-1.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/2015-05-27-11.40.47-1.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26836\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Huntington Beach, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dI liked different lenses for different times. I am fond of the telephoto lens, as I am of the normal 50 mm lens. I had at one point a 150 mm lens and I was very fond it. I liked what it did. I experimented a lot. Sometimes I worked with a lens that I had when I might have preferred another lens. I think Picasso once said that he wanted to use green in a painting but since he didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have it he used red. Perfection is not something I admire. [Laughs]. A touch of confusion is a desirable ingredient.&#8221; &#8211;&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/11\/04\/7-lessons-saul-leiter-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Saul Leiter<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Experimentation is what makes life exciting and fun. If you were to simply do the same thing everyday, life would quickly become boring and dull. Imagine eating the same one dish for the rest of your life.<\/p>\n<p>Imagine how quickly you would become bored with it. As artists and photographers, it is hard to balance the fine line between experimentation and consistency. However without experimentation, you will never be able to find your voice in photography, or what you enjoy.<\/p>\n<p>Have fun and experiment. Think of yourself like a scientist, and you can experiment with different approaches, subject-matter, cameras, lenses, films, styles of post processing, etc. Once you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve found a certain experiment that works well, try to stick with it and see how deep you can go with it.<\/p>\n<p>Even as an example, I have been experimenting shooting more with my smartphone and processing it in the <a href=\"http:\/\/vsco.co\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">VSCO app<\/a> (with the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d preset). I have been happy with some of the results, but figured that I preferred using a more standard camera at the end of the day. Yet it was an experiment I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m glad I did.<\/p>\n<p>Variety is the spice of life.<\/p>\n<p>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t let others dictate what experiments you \u00e2\u20ac\u0153should\u00e2\u20ac\u009d do and \u00e2\u20ac\u0153shouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t\u00e2\u20ac\u009d do. Follow your own voice, and be your own mad photography scientist.<\/p>\n<h2>92. Fuck fame<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26837\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26837\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26837\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/r0150513_21429458055_o\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/r0150513_21429458055_o.jpg?fit=2912%2C1936&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2912,1936\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;GR&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1441912555&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;18.3&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;400&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.2&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"r0150513_21429458055_o\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Berkeley, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/r0150513_21429458055_o.jpg?fit=2000%2C1330&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26837\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/r0150513_21429458055_o-2000x1330.jpg?resize=2000%2C1330\" alt=\"Berkeley, 2015\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1330\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/r0150513_21429458055_o.jpg?resize=2000%2C1330&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/r0150513_21429458055_o.jpg?resize=660%2C439&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/r0150513_21429458055_o.jpg?resize=768%2C511&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26837\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Berkeley, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dI\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve never been overwhelmed with a desire to become famous. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not that I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to have my work appreciated, but for some reason \u00e2\u20ac\u201d maybe it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s because my father disapproved of almost everything I did \u00e2\u20ac\u201d in some secret place in my being was a desire to avoid success.&#8221; &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/11\/04\/7-lessons-saul-leiter-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Saul Leiter<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Being famous in photography or life is overrated. Fame can often add unnecessary pressure, anxiety, and stress.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/11\/04\/7-lessons-saul-leiter-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Saul Leiter<\/strong><\/a> is one of the best examples of a great photographer who lived a happy, peaceful, and fulfilled life. Instead of trying to network all the time and try to get his photos seen in prestigious galleries, he preferred to simply sit and enjoy a nice cup of coffee:<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26910\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26910\" style=\"width: 1500px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26910\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/saul-leiter-photographer-o\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/saul-leiter-photographer-o.jpg?fit=2304%2C3072&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2304,3072\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;3.2&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon PowerShot SD750&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1220123936&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;7.109&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.016666666666667&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"saul-leiter-photographer-o\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Harlem, 1960 \/ Saul Leiter&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/saul-leiter-photographer-o.jpg?fit=1500%2C2000&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26910\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/saul-leiter-photographer-o-1500x2000.jpg?resize=1500%2C2000\" alt=\"Harlem, 1960 \/ Saul Leiter\" width=\"1500\" height=\"2000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/saul-leiter-photographer-o.jpg?resize=1500%2C2000&amp;ssl=1 1500w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/saul-leiter-photographer-o.jpg?resize=495%2C660&amp;ssl=1 495w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/saul-leiter-photographer-o.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/saul-leiter-photographer-o.jpg?w=2000&amp;ssl=1 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26910\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Harlem, 1960 \/ Saul Leiter<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153My friend Henry [Wolf] once said that I had a talent for being indifferent to opportunities. He felt that I could have built more of a career, but instead I went home and drank coffee and looked out the window.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; Saul Leiter<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Becoming \u00e2\u20ac\u0153famous\u00e2\u20ac\u009d is something which is out of your control. 90% of \u00e2\u20ac\u0153success\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in photography is about who you know (and how much ass you kiss) not how good your work is (unfortunately).<\/p>\n<p>Consider all of the famous artists who died penniless and without any fame (Van Gogh being a notable example), and were \u00e2\u20ac\u0153discovered\u00e2\u20ac\u009d after they died. Yet they still pursued their art for the pure love of it, not for the fame or money or riches. <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/11\/04\/7-lessons-saul-leiter-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Saul Leiter<\/strong><\/a> explains:<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26911\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26911\" style=\"width: 768px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26911\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/attachment\/74\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/74.jpg?fit=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"768,1024\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"74\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Photo by Saul Leiter&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/74.jpg?fit=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26911\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/74.jpg?resize=768%2C1024\" alt=\"Photo by Saul Leiter\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/74.jpg?w=768&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/74.jpg?resize=495%2C660&amp;ssl=1 495w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26911\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo by Saul Leiter<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dThe cream does not always rise to the surface. The history of art is a history of great things neglected and ignored and bad and mediocre things being admired. As someone once said \u00e2\u20ac\u0153life is unfair.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d In the 19th Century someone was very lucky. He or she acquired a Vermeer for $ 12. There are always changes and revisions of the appreciation of art, artists, and photography and writers and on and on. The late art of Picasso is no good but then a revision takes place and then it becomes very good as the art records indicate. Things come and go.&#8221; &#8211; Saul Leiter<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>With social media and today\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s modern society, we crave attention. But there is often a great advantage of being ignored, that you can live more peacefully and live life according to your own principles. <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/11\/04\/7-lessons-saul-leiter-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Saul Leiter<\/strong><\/a> shares the upside of being &#8220;ignored&#8221;:<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26912\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26912\" style=\"width: 1500px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26912\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/saulleiter01\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/SaulLeiter01.jpg?fit=1500%2C1135&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1500,1135\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon PowerShot G6&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1129720811&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;14.40625&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.02&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"SaulLeiter01\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Photo by Saul Leiter&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/SaulLeiter01.jpg?fit=1500%2C1135&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26912\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/SaulLeiter01.jpg?resize=1500%2C1135\" alt=\"Photo by Saul Leiter\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1135\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/SaulLeiter01.jpg?w=1500&amp;ssl=1 1500w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/SaulLeiter01.jpg?resize=660%2C499&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/SaulLeiter01.jpg?resize=768%2C581&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26912\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo by Saul Leiter<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I spent a great deal of my life being ignored. I was always very happy that way. Being ignored is a great privilege. That is how I think I learnt to see what others do not see and to react to situations differently. I simply looked at the world, not really prepared for anything.&#8221; &#8211; Saul Leiter<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Even if you become the world\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s most famous photographer, there will still be people who don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know or appreciate your work. Just focus on creating work for yourself, without the added pressure to please others:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dI have a deep-seated distrust and even contempt for people who are driven by ambition to conquer the world \u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 those who cannot control themselves and produce vast amounts of crap that no one cares about. I find it unattractive. I like the Zen artists: they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d do some work, and then they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d stop for a while.&#8221; &#8211; Saul Leiter<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Saul Leiter expands on not taking yourself or life too seriously:<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26913\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26913\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26913\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/soleitercocacola\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/soleitercocacola.jpg?fit=1024%2C773&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1024,773\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"soleitercocacola\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Photo by Saul Leiter&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/soleitercocacola.jpg?fit=1024%2C773&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26913\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/soleitercocacola.jpg?resize=1024%2C773\" alt=\"Photo by Saul Leiter\" width=\"1024\" height=\"773\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/soleitercocacola.jpg?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/soleitercocacola.jpg?resize=660%2C498&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/soleitercocacola.jpg?resize=768%2C580&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26913\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo by Saul Leiter<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153In order to build a career and to be successful, one has to be determined. One has to be ambitious. I much prefer to drink coffee, listen to music and to paint when I feel like it\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 Maybe I was irresponsible. But part of the pleasure of being alive is that I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t take everything as seriously as one should.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; Saul Leiter<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/10\/21\/letters-street-photographer-4-fuck-fame\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Fuck fame<\/a><\/strong>, fortune, and the number of social media followers you have. No matter how famous you become, there will always be someone more famous than you. Not only that, but sooner or later, all the people who admire your work will eventually die. And when you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re dead, why do you care if people admire your work anyways (you can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t enjoy \u00e2\u20ac\u0153fame\u00e2\u20ac\u009d when you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re dead).<\/p>\n<p>The only pursuit in photography and life which is noble is this: pursue your inner-vision in photography, without any sort of internal censor or critic stopping you. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t make work to please others, but revel in creating work which brings you inner-satisfaction and joy.<\/p>\n<p>Fame and fortune is the most empty and shallow thing. So many great photographers have lost their inner-vision and passion because they start chasing the dollars and the number of online followers, rather than sticking to their inner-wisdom and inner-voice.<\/p>\n<p>Trust me, it has happened to me. When I started photography, I did it for the pure love of it. Then I discovered social media, and then it became about getting more views, comments, followers, and \u00e2\u20ac\u0153fame.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I started to do sneaky stuff, like following people (only hoping that they would follow me back), and I would only leave comments and like their photos because I hoped that they would reciprocate. I would constantly refresh my photos every hour hoping that I got more views, comments, and other badges of external recognition.<\/p>\n<p>Over the years, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve realized that this is bullshit.<\/p>\n<p>Even now, I have tons of followers online, and after a while, they just become numbers. And enough is never enough. Even though my dream was once to get at least 100 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153favorites\u00e2\u20ac\u009d on Flickr, that number soon turned into 200 favorites, then 300 favorites, then 500 favorites. My most popular photo of a laughing lady in NYC has over 1,000 favorites, yet it still pales in comparison to other photographers who have over 10,000 favorites on their images.<\/p>\n<p>Even with Instagram, I currently have around 24,000+ followers (which is a lot by \u00e2\u20ac\u0153normal\u00e2\u20ac\u009d people). But I still feel pangs of jealousy seeing other photographers with 200,000+ followers. I think to myself, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Why do they have so many followers, their work sucks, I am such a better photographer than them!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d But how many \u00e2\u20ac\u0153likes\u00e2\u20ac\u009d or \u00e2\u20ac\u0153favorites\u00e2\u20ac\u009d is enough?<\/p>\n<p>All of this ultimately was a reflection of my own insecurity of myself and my work.<\/p>\n<p>Remember even if you do become \u00e2\u20ac\u0153famous\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in your photography, you will have lots of trolls and \u00e2\u20ac\u0153haters\u00e2\u20ac\u009d who come out of the woodwork. They will try to tear you down, not because you are a bad photographer, but because they are dissatisfied with their own work and lack of fame, and are jealous that you are pursuing your dream and passion (and have received some recognition).<\/p>\n<p>To sum up, once again, fuck fame. Seek to please yourself, perhaps a few friends and close colleagues, and <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/04\/07\/shoot-every-day-as-if-it-were-your-last\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>shoot everyday if it were your last<\/strong><\/a>. Remember, the point isn&#8217;t to be a good photographer, but to <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/10\/19\/the-point-isnt-to-be-a-good-photographer-but-to-enjoy-life\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>enjoy your life<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>When you die, you can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t take your \u00e2\u20ac\u0153likes\u00e2\u20ac\u009d with you. <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/11\/02\/the-top-5-regrets-of-the-dying\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Die without regrets<\/strong><\/a>. Never forget <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/08\/28\/on-the-shortness-of-life\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>how short life is<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>93. Think long-term<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26838\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26838\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26838\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/provincetown-the-old-colony-3-3\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Provincetown-The-Old-Colony-3.jpg?fit=4896%2C3264&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"4896,3264\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;2.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;X-T1&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1410976715&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;27&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;3200&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.018181818181818&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Provincetown-The-Old-Colony-3\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Provincetown, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Provincetown-The-Old-Colony-3.jpg?fit=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26838\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Provincetown-The-Old-Colony-3-2000x1333.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333\" alt=\"Provincetown, 2015\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Provincetown-The-Old-Colony-3.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Provincetown-The-Old-Colony-3.jpg?resize=660%2C440&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Provincetown-The-Old-Colony-3.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Provincetown-The-Old-Colony-3.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26838\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Provincetown, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I very much like to work on long-term projects. There is time for the photographer and the people in front of the camera to understand each other. There is time to go to a place and understand what is happening there. When you spend more time on a project, you learn to understand your subjects. There comes a time when it is not you who is taking the pictures. Something special happens between the photographer and the people he is photographing. He realizes that they are giving the pictures to him.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211;&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/03\/02\/5-lessons-sebastiao-salgado-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sebasti\u00c3\u00a3o Salgado<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Everything great takes a long time to grow. You can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t expect to become a master photographer overnight. A redwood tree needs decades, centuries, and sometimes even thousands of years to achieve their grandeur.<\/p>\n<p>Similarly, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t feel so rushed in your photography to create great work overnight. Some of the best photographers in history need years, sometimes even decades to make a body of work they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re proud of.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26916\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26916\" style=\"width: 1463px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26916\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/region-oriental-de-la-cordillera-de-brooks-refugio-nacional-de-la-fauna-y-la-flora-del-artico-alaska-estados-unidos-2009\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/region-oriental-de-la-cordillera-de-brooks-refugio-nacional-de-la-fauna-y-la-flora-del-artico-alaska-estados-unidos-2009.jpg?fit=2315%2C3165&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2315,3165\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in north-eastern Alaska is the largest wildlife refuge in the United States, covering no fewer than six ecozones and stretching some 200 miles (300 kilometers) from north to south. Along its northern coast, barrier islands, coastal lagoons, salt marshes and river deltas of the Arctic coastal tundra provide a marvelous habitat for migratory water birds. Coastal land and sea ice are sought by caribou seeking relief from insects during the summer and by Arctic bears for hunt-ing seals and breeding during winter.\\nThis photograph was taken in the eastern part of the Brooks Range, which rises to over 9,800 feet (3,000 meters); the rugged stretch of mountains is sliced by deep river valleys and numerous glaciers. The immense variety of microclimates results from the collision of cold air from the Arctic and hot air coming from the Yukon River \\nregion of central Alaska. Alaska. USA. June and July 2009&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1245864844&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;47&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;320&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0015625&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"region-oriental-de-la-cordillera-de-brooks-refugio-nacional-de-la-fauna-y-la-flora-del-artico-alaska-estados-unidos-2009\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Photo by Sebastiao Salgado \/ Genesis&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/region-oriental-de-la-cordillera-de-brooks-refugio-nacional-de-la-fauna-y-la-flora-del-artico-alaska-estados-unidos-2009.jpg?fit=1463%2C2000&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26916\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/region-oriental-de-la-cordillera-de-brooks-refugio-nacional-de-la-fauna-y-la-flora-del-artico-alaska-estados-unidos-2009-1463x2000.jpg?resize=1463%2C2000\" alt=\"Photo by Sebastiao Salgado \/ Genesis\" width=\"1463\" height=\"2000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/region-oriental-de-la-cordillera-de-brooks-refugio-nacional-de-la-fauna-y-la-flora-del-artico-alaska-estados-unidos-2009.jpg?resize=1463%2C2000&amp;ssl=1 1463w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/region-oriental-de-la-cordillera-de-brooks-refugio-nacional-de-la-fauna-y-la-flora-del-artico-alaska-estados-unidos-2009.jpg?resize=483%2C660&amp;ssl=1 483w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/region-oriental-de-la-cordillera-de-brooks-refugio-nacional-de-la-fauna-y-la-flora-del-artico-alaska-estados-unidos-2009.jpg?resize=768%2C1050&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/region-oriental-de-la-cordillera-de-brooks-refugio-nacional-de-la-fauna-y-la-flora-del-artico-alaska-estados-unidos-2009.jpg?w=2000&amp;ssl=1 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26916\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo by Sebastiao Salgado \/ Genesis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>For example, <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/03\/02\/5-lessons-sebastiao-salgado-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Sebasti\u00c3\u00a3o Salgado<\/strong><\/a> shares the importance of spending a long time on a project, which really allows you to understand your subject matter deeper. Even though you might be tired and exhausted, you must keep peddling forward:<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26915\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26915\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26915\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/das-salz-der-erde5-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/das-salz-der-erde5-2.jpg?fit=2420%2C1613&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2420,1613\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"das-salz-der-erde5-2\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Photo by Sebastiao Salgado&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/das-salz-der-erde5-2.jpg?fit=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26915\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/das-salz-der-erde5-2-2000x1333.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333\" alt=\"Photo by Sebastiao Salgado\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/das-salz-der-erde5-2.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/das-salz-der-erde5-2.jpg?resize=660%2C440&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/das-salz-der-erde5-2.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26915\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo by Sebastiao Salgado<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153When I started <a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/3836538725\/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=3836538725&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=erikimstrpho-20&amp;linkId=WW575ER5YBRDS3ZQ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Genesis<\/strong><\/a> I was 59 and I thought I was an old man. But now I am going to be 70 and I feel fine so I am ready to start again. Life is a bicycle: you must keep going forward and you pedal until you drop.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; Sebasti\u00c3\u00a3o Salgado<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/02\/20\/8-lessons-zoe-strauss-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Zoe Strauss<\/strong><\/a> also worked on her \u00e2\u20ac\u0153<a href=\"http:\/\/www.hatchfund.org\/showcase\/under_i_95\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>I-95<\/strong><\/a>\u00e2\u20ac\u009d project for nearly a decade. The effort of her work really shows, the images are powerful, cohesive, and tell a narrative:<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26917\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26917\" style=\"width: 1260px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26917\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/strausszoe-mattressflip2011-web\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/StraussZoe-MattressFlip2011-web.jpg?fit=1260%2C840&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1260,840\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"StraussZoe-MattressFlip2011-web\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Photo by Zoe Strauss&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/StraussZoe-MattressFlip2011-web.jpg?fit=1260%2C840&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26917\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/StraussZoe-MattressFlip2011-web.jpg?resize=1260%2C840\" alt=\"Photo by Zoe Strauss\" width=\"1260\" height=\"840\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/StraussZoe-MattressFlip2011-web.jpg?w=1260&amp;ssl=1 1260w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/StraussZoe-MattressFlip2011-web.jpg?resize=660%2C440&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/StraussZoe-MattressFlip2011-web.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26917\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo by Zoe Strauss<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I-95 was an epic narrative about the beauty and struggle of everyday life, comprising 231 photographs adhered to the concrete support pillars under an elevated highway that runs through South Philadelphia, Interstate 95. The installation of photos went up once a year, from 1pm to 4pm, on the first Sunday of the month. I worked on 95 for a decade, from 2000 to 2010.&#8221; &#8211;&nbsp;Zoe Strauss<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Why a full decade? Strauss explains:<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26918\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26918\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26918\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/dcf-1-0-4\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/1-Strauss_Daddy_Tattoo.jpg?fit=2500%2C1874&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2500,1874\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;6.7&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;DiMAGE S414&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;DCF 1.0&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;988084024&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;7.1875&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;64&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.016666666666667&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;DCF 1.0&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"DCF 1.0\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Photo by Zoe Strauss&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/1-Strauss_Daddy_Tattoo.jpg?fit=2000%2C1499&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26918\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/1-Strauss_Daddy_Tattoo-2000x1499.jpg?resize=2000%2C1499\" alt=\"Photo by Zoe Strauss\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1499\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/1-Strauss_Daddy_Tattoo.jpg?resize=2000%2C1499&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/1-Strauss_Daddy_Tattoo.jpg?resize=660%2C495&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/1-Strauss_Daddy_Tattoo.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26918\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo by Zoe Strauss<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dA decade would allow me enough time to make a strong body of work. I needed to learn to make photographs and couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t gauge my capability until I actually started working. Setting a time constraint assured that the installation wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be overworked. Plus, I could go at it as hard as possible without fear of burning out.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/02\/20\/8-lessons-zoe-strauss-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Zoe Strauss<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/02\/20\/8-lessons-zoe-strauss-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Zoe Strauss<\/strong><\/a> also did something interesting: she set a time limit on how long she was allowed to work on her project. She figured a decade was enough time to work on her project, but didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t dare work on it for longer than that.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_20709\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20709\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"20709\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/09\/26\/5-lessons-richard-avedon-taught-street-photography\/ronald-fischer-beekeeper-davis-california-may-9-1981-engraver\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Ronald-Fischer-beekeeper-Davis-California-May-9-1981-engraver.jpg?fit=500%2C623&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"500,623\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Ronald Fischer, beekeeper, Davis, California, May 9, 1981, engraver\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Ronald Fischer, beekeeper, Davis, California, May 9, 1981.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Ronald-Fischer-beekeeper-Davis-California-May-9-1981-engraver.jpg?fit=500%2C623&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"wp-image-20709 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Ronald-Fischer-beekeeper-Davis-California-May-9-1981-engraver.jpg?resize=500%2C623\" alt=\"Ronald Fischer, beekeeper, Davis, California, May 9, 1981.\" width=\"500\" height=\"623\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-20709\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ronald Fischer, beekeeper, Davis, California, May 9, 1981. Richard&nbsp;Avedon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Another example: <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/09\/26\/5-lessons-richard-avedon-taught-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Richard Avedon<\/strong><\/a> worked on his epic project, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153<a href=\"http:\/\/www.americansuburbx.com\/2011\/01\/richard-avedon-richard-avedons-in.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>In the American West<\/strong><\/a>\u00e2\u20ac\u009d for 6 full years. During that period of time, he photographed 752 people, exposed 17,000 sheets of 8&#215;10 film, traveled to 17 states, 189 towns, and ultimately only showed 123 photos for his exhibition.<\/p>\n<p>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t settle for single-images on social media; aim to make meaning long-term projects.<\/p>\n<p>If you pursue any project that is personally meaningful for at least a decade, how can it be weak?<\/p>\n<h2>94. Create a relationship with your subjects<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26839\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26839\" style=\"width: 2000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26839\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/93700032-6\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/93700032.jpg?fit=3087%2C2048&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3087,2048\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"93700032\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Philly, 2013&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/93700032.jpg?fit=2000%2C1327&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-26839\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/93700032-2000x1327.jpg?resize=2000%2C1327\" alt=\"Philly, 2013\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1327\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/93700032.jpg?resize=2000%2C1327&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/93700032.jpg?resize=660%2C438&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/93700032.jpg?resize=768%2C510&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/93700032.jpg?w=3000&amp;ssl=1 3000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26839\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Philly, 2013<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dIf you take a picture of a human that does not make him noble, there is no reason to take this picture. That is my way of seeing things.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/03\/02\/5-lessons-sebastiao-salgado-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sebasti\u00c3\u00a3o Salgado<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>One of the main problems in street photography is how shallow it can be. Through street photography, we are trying to build a connection with our fellow human beings. But often when we shoot candidly, we aren&#8217;t able to make that deeper connection.<\/p>\n<p>In these circumstances, I feel that it is important to try to build a human connection with your subjects. You can see this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=dtD8ivxNosM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">YouTube interview I do with Eric Rivera<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26840\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/smoking-contact\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/smoking-contact.jpg?fit=1131%2C551&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1131,551\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"smoking-contact\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/smoking-contact.jpg?fit=1131%2C551&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-26840\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/smoking-contact.png?resize=1131%2C551\" alt=\"smoking-contact\" width=\"1131\" height=\"551\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/smoking-contact.jpg?w=1131&amp;ssl=1 1131w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/smoking-contact.jpg?resize=660%2C322&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/smoking-contact.jpg?resize=768%2C374&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Many proponents of street photography day that street photography must be candid. It is true that sometimes the best street photos are candid. But also some of the best street photos involve the photographer getting intimate with his or her subject.<\/p>\n<p>By getting to know your subject, you connect with them on a deeper and emotional level, which might help you uncover some hidden truths about them, which might manifest in the photos that you take.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/03\/02\/5-lessons-sebastiao-salgado-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Sebasti\u00c3\u00a3o Salgado<\/strong><\/a> isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153street photographer\u00e2\u20ac\u009d and most consider him a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153documentary photographer.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Salgado is most famous for photographing important socioeconomic and political issues all around the world.<\/p>\n<p>Salgado\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s personal story is this: he started off as an economist, saw all the problems in the world, and decided to pursue photography to reveal those injustices. This came out of his humanity and deep love of others.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_22726\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22726\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"22726\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/03\/02\/5-lessons-sebastiao-salgado-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/sebastiao-salgado\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/sebastiao-salgado.jpg?fit=1280%2C855&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1280,855\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"sebastiao salgado\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/sebastiao-salgado.jpg?fit=800%2C534&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"wp-image-22726 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/sebastiao-salgado-800x534.jpg?resize=800%2C534\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" srcset=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/sebastiao-salgado-660x441.jpg 660x, http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/sebastiao-salgado-800x534.jpg 800x, http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/sebastiao-salgado.jpg 1280x\" alt=\"sebastiao salgado\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-22726\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(c) Sebastiao Salgado<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Salgado doesn&#8217;t believe that making an image is just a one way process; rather, making a photograph is a collaboration between the subject and photographer. He explains below:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dThe picture is not made by the photographer, the picture is more good or less good in function of the relationship that you have with the people you photograph.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; Sebasti\u00c3\u00a3o Salgado<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>To get your subjects to open up to you, you also need to open yourself up to your subject:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dI tell a little bit of my life to them, and they tell a little of theirs to me. The picture itself is just the tip of the iceberg.&#8221; &#8211; Sebasti\u00c3\u00a3o Salgado<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/09\/05\/17-lessons-walker-evans-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Walker Evans<\/strong><\/a> also shares the importance of a photographer being able to be with other people, and to have your subjects feel comfortable:<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26922\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26922\" style=\"width: 515px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26922\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/evans-great-depression-woman-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/evans-great-depression-woman.jpg?fit=515%2C660&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"515,660\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"evans-great-depression-woman\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Photo by Walker Evans&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/evans-great-depression-woman.jpg?fit=515%2C660&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26922\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/evans-great-depression-woman.jpg?resize=515%2C660\" alt=\"Photo by Walker Evans\" width=\"515\" height=\"660\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26922\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo by Walker Evans<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Incidentally, part of a photographer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s gift should be with people. You can do some wonderful work if you know how to make people understand what you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re doing and feel all right about it, and you can do terrible work if you put them on the defense, which they all are at the beginning. You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve got to take them off their defensive attitude and make them participate.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d &#8211; Walker Evans<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>There will be moments where you won&#8217;t have time to make a deep connection with your subject. However one of the most important things are to create an emotional bond with your subject, by empathizing with them as <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/05\/22\/10-lessons-weegee-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Weegee<\/strong><\/a> shares:<\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 514px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/05\/10-lessons-weegee-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" \" title=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/05\/10-lessons-weegee-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Weegee-4-514x660.jpg?resize=514%2C660\" alt=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/05\/10-lessons-weegee-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" width=\"514\" height=\"660\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo by Weegee<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dWhen you find yourself beginning to feel a bond between yourself and the people you photograph, when you laugh and cry with their laughter and tears, you will know you are on the right track.&#8221; &#8211;&nbsp;Weegee<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>I believe the connections we make with our subjects is far more important than making photos. After all, what is a photograph anyways? It is just light reflected off a surface. There is no real soul or emotion in a photograph.<\/p>\n<p>But the true emotion and soul of humanity lies within the connection we have with our fellow human-beings.<\/p>\n<p>Personally, I might go an entire day without making any good photos. But if I had a nice chat with the bus driver, with my barista, or a stranger on the street and built a lovely (albeit brief) connection, my entire day was justified and worth it.<\/p>\n<h2>95. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t bore your viewer<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26841\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26841\" style=\"width: 1545px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26841\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/suits-19-4\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-19.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1545,1024\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;QSS-32_33&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Suits-19\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Paris, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-19.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26841\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-19.jpg?resize=1545%2C1024\" alt=\"Paris, 2015\" width=\"1545\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-19.jpg?w=1545&amp;ssl=1 1545w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-19.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-19.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26841\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Paris, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dDon&#8217;t take boring photos.&#8221; &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/11\/16\/dont-take-boring-photos-13-tips-for-street-photographers-from-tony-ray-jones\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tony Ray-Jones<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>One of the worst things you can do as a photographer is to bore your viewer. In today&#8217;s society we have very limited attention spans and if your work doesn&#8217;t instantly invite, captivate, or interest your viewer, you will fail to ever have an audience for your work.<\/p>\n<p>But how can you make your photos less boring? One piece of advice from <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/10\/18\/interview-with-jason-eskanazi-on-wonderland-a-fairytale-of-the-soviet-monolith-a-10-year-odyssey-around-the-former-soviet-union\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Jason Eskenazi<\/strong><\/a> is to reveal something personal about yourself:<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26923\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26923\" style=\"width: 670px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26923\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/wonderland-intro-4\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/wonderland-intro.jpg?fit=670%2C463&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"670,463\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"wonderland-intro\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;(c) Jason Eskenazi&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/wonderland-intro.jpg?fit=670%2C463&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26923\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/wonderland-intro.jpg?resize=670%2C463\" alt=\"(c) Jason Eskenazi\" width=\"670\" height=\"463\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/wonderland-intro.jpg?w=670&amp;ssl=1 670w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/wonderland-intro.jpg?resize=660%2C456&amp;ssl=1 660w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 670px) 100vw, 670px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26923\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(c) Jason Eskenazi<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dUltimately any photo project that you do isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t really about the subject matter, it is about you &#8211; and revealing yourself. If you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t reveal anything about yourself, you are boring everyone. It is a confession in some ways.&#8221; &#8211; Jason Eskenazi<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>It is hard to tell whether a photo is any \u00e2\u20ac\u0153good\u00e2\u20ac\u009d or not, but it is easier to tell whether it is boring or not.<\/p>\n<p>If you need editing (selecting) advice, approach your friends or fellow photography colleagues and simply ask them: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Is this shot boring?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Then based on their feedback, integrate their suggestions, and decide which photos to cut (and which to keep).<\/p>\n<p>What you find boring is highly subjective. However most people have pretty keen \u00e2\u20ac\u0153boredom detectors\u00e2\u20ac\u009d which can be used as a useful tool when culling down your images or projects.<\/p>\n<p>Furthermore, avoid boredom in your photography. If you are pursuing a project that no longer interests you, close it out, and continue along a new path. If black and white bores you, try color. If digital bores you, try film. If 35mm bores you, try medium-format. If shooting your neighborhood bores you, check out a different neighborhood. If photography itself bores you, pick up painting or some other artistic form.<\/p>\n<p>Living life by simply avoiding boredom is a quite easy (and very fulfilling) way to live creatively.<\/p>\n<h2>96. Embrace your day job<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26842\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26842\" style=\"width: 1545px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26842\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/suits-20-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-20.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1545,1024\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;QSS-32_33&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Suits-20\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Paris, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-20.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26842\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-20.jpg?resize=1545%2C1024\" alt=\"Paris, 2015\" width=\"1545\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-20.jpg?w=1545&amp;ssl=1 1545w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-20.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-20.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26842\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Paris, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>I know a lot of photographers who wish their full time profession was being a photographer. Or if they were rich, and didn&#8217;t have to work, and could simply travel the world and photograph all the time.<\/p>\n<p>The reality is that sometimes having too much free time can be bad for your creativity. There is a benefit on having a &#8220;day job&#8221; as a photographer. Having a steady income allows you to buy photography books, film, attend workshops, travel, and not have to stress to make a living from your photograph.<\/p>\n<p>Many professional photographers burn out from doing so much commercial and wedding photography (and work they don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t really like doing). After a 12-hour long wedding, do you really have the energy, time, or motivation to go out and shoot some street photography? I doubt it.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26925\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26925\" style=\"width: 1100px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26925\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/may-16-1957-chicago-il-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/May-16-1957.-Chicago-IL.jpg?fit=1100%2C1100&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1100,1100\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;May 16, 1957. Chicago, IL&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;May 16, 1957. Chicago, IL&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"May 16, 1957. Chicago, IL\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;(c) Vivian Maier \/ Chicago, 1957&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/May-16-1957.-Chicago-IL.jpg?fit=1100%2C1100&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26925\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/May-16-1957.-Chicago-IL.jpg?resize=1100%2C1100\" alt=\"(c) Vivian Maier \/ Chicago, 1957\" width=\"1100\" height=\"1100\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/May-16-1957.-Chicago-IL.jpg?w=1100&amp;ssl=1 1100w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/May-16-1957.-Chicago-IL.jpg?resize=290%2C290&amp;ssl=1 290w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/May-16-1957.-Chicago-IL.jpg?resize=660%2C660&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/May-16-1957.-Chicago-IL.jpg?resize=768%2C768&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/May-16-1957.-Chicago-IL.jpg?resize=640%2C640&amp;ssl=1 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26925\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">(c) Vivian Maier \/ Chicago, 1957<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Some of the most famous street photographers in history have had normal &#8220;day jobs&#8221;, like <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/04\/14\/5-lessons-vivian-maier-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Vivian Maier<\/strong><\/a> who worked as a nanny. The benefit of being a nanny was whenever she took her kids to the city, she brought her camera along and made photos. Not only that, but when she was off work, she could fully devote her time to making images, without having to worry about selling her photos or anything to survive.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/09\/05\/17-lessons-walker-evans-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Walker Evans<\/strong><\/a> also had a job that gave him during the day, which didn&#8217;t pay much, but paid for his freedom:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dI had a night job on Wall Street in order to be free in the daytime. It paid for room and food. You didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have to sleep or eat much. In those days I was rather ascetic.&#8221; &#8211; Walker Evans<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Even Albert Einstein worked as a clerk at the Swiss patent office, doing menial labor while he came up with the theory of relativity.<\/p>\n<p>You have no barriers. Realize you can create a great body of work in photography even with a normal job.<\/p>\n<h2>97. Count your blessings<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26843\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26843\" style=\"width: 1545px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26843\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/img_1189-116-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1189-116-1.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1545,1024\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"IMG_1189-116\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Kettleman City, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1189-116-1.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26843\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1189-116-1.jpg?resize=1545%2C1024\" alt=\"Kettleman City, 2015\" width=\"1545\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1189-116-1.jpg?w=1545&amp;ssl=1 1545w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1189-116-1.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1189-116-1.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26843\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Kettleman City, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>If you have a day job, count yourself blessed. Rather than making excuses about how your day job holds back your creativity as a photographer, think about the benefits of having a day job as a photographer. Then write down all the benefits on a piece of paper and tape it to your cubicle wall.<\/p>\n<p>Another idea: try to find where you can make free time around your day job to do more shooting.<\/p>\n<p>Perhaps you can shoot for 30 minutes before work on the train, subway, or in your neighborhood before you go to work. If you drive, perhaps you can shoot photos while stuck in traffic (do this with caution).<\/p>\n<p>If you have a lunch break, devote that time to shoot your office neighborhood. If you don&#8217;t have people in your office area walking around, shoot urban landscapes, or just portraits of your Co workers. Don&#8217;t stay late after work sending more emails or sucking up to your boss, get out immediately at 6pm and go shooting where you want to go.<\/p>\n<p>Maximize your weekends for shooting. Devote holidays to shoot. Ask your boss if you can work part time to allow yourself more time to shoot. Find the little holes of time in your schedule and maximize it.<\/p>\n<p>There are no excuses, only photos to be made.<\/p>\n<h2>98. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t become married to your beliefs<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26844\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26844\" style=\"width: 1545px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26844\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/suits-0-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-0.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1545,1024\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;QSS-32_33&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Suits-0\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;London, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-0.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26844\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-0.jpg?resize=1545%2C1024\" alt=\"London, 2015\" width=\"1545\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-0.jpg?w=1545&amp;ssl=1 1545w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-0.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Suits-0.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26844\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">London, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dA year ago I would have said that color is vulgar and should never be tried under any circumstances. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a paradox that I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m now associated with it and in fact I intend to come out with it seriously.&#8221; &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/09\/05\/17-lessons-walker-evans-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Walker Evans<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>In today\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s society it is frowned upon to be a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153flip-flopper\u00e2\u20ac\u009d and to go back on previously stated beliefs you might have had. Not only that, but it is true that it is hard for old dogs to learn new tricks. Once we have a certain belief or way of thinking established in our minds, we don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t like to change our beliefs.<\/p>\n<p>In order to continue to grow, evolve, and learn as a photographer is to not get married to your beliefs. It is important to stay open-minded to new ideas, approaches, and ways of working.<\/p>\n<p>For example, <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/09\/05\/17-lessons-walker-evans-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Walker Evans<\/strong><\/a> worked most of his career in black and white. He looked at color photography with disgust, horror, and suspicion. He went on the public record by calling color photography \u00e2\u20ac\u0153vulgar.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13411\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13411\" style=\"width: 416px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"13411\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/09\/05\/17-lessons-walker-evans-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/946893237039176f7\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/946893237039176f7.jpg?fit=416%2C500&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"416,500\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"946893237039176f7\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/946893237039176f7.jpg?fit=416%2C500&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"wp-image-13411 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/946893237039176f7.jpg?resize=416%2C500\" alt=\"946893237039176f7\" width=\"416\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/946893237039176f7.jpg?w=416&amp;ssl=1 416w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/946893237039176f7.jpg?resize=249%2C300&amp;ssl=1 249w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 416px) 100vw, 416px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13411\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo by Walker Evans<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Ironically enough, he started to be more interested in color when he started to shoot with an instant Polaroid camera. He then started to have fun and understand the benefits of shooting color. What I admire about Evans that he was able to admit that he was wrong, and changed his beliefs. Not many photographers or human beings can do that.<\/p>\n<p>What are some preconceived notions or concepts or ideas that you have which you cling onto dearly? Learn how to kill your preconceived notions, and to divorce yourself to your own beliefs.<\/p>\n<h2>99. You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re only as good as your last photo<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26845\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26845\" style=\"width: 1545px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26845\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/img_1460-7\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1460.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1545,1024\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"IMG_1460\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Prague, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1460.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26845\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1460.jpg?resize=1545%2C1024\" alt=\"Prague, 2015\" width=\"1545\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1460.jpg?w=1545&amp;ssl=1 1545w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1460.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1460.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26845\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Prague, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u00e2\u20ac\u009dKeep your eyes open. If you see anything, take it. Remember &#8211; you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re as good as your last picture. One day you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re hero, the next day you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re a bum.&#8221; &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/05\/22\/10-lessons-weegee-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Weegee<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>There&#8217;s a saying also for film directors that you&#8217;re only as good as your last movie. Once you reach a certain quality or bar in your photography, you don&#8217;t want to make future work which is worse than your old work. You want to continue to improve, and be judged based on your past work.<\/p>\n<p>Have a strong work ethic in your photography. Don&#8217;t be easily satisfied, try to make the best possible photos you can, judging yourself to your past work.<\/p>\n<p>The secret isn&#8217;t to judge yourself and your work compared to other photography. Rather, only judge yourself to the last photo you took. If you have a certain shot that you&#8217;re really proud of, make that photograph your new standard.<\/p>\n<p>Aim to make photos as good as that shot, if not better. This will help you continue to pave new ground in your photography, and take your work to the next level.<\/p>\n<h2>100. Unlearn<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26846\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26846\" style=\"width: 1545px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26846\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/img_1572-pick-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1572-pick.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1545,1024\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"IMG_1572-pick\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Garden Grove, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1572-pick.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26846\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1572-pick.jpg?resize=1545%2C1024\" alt=\"Garden Grove, 2015\" width=\"1545\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1572-pick.jpg?w=1545&amp;ssl=1 1545w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1572-pick.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_1572-pick.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26846\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Garden Grove, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Dear friend,<\/p>\n<p>I want to leave you with the last lesson it would be this: unlearn.<\/p>\n<p>You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve read all these 100 lessons from the masters of street photography. Some of these lessons probably resonated with you more than others. Some of these lessons probably were \u00e2\u20ac\u0153bullshit\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in your eyes, but you still kept an open mind.<\/p>\n<p>If there is anything I can share that I have personally learned from putting this book is this: I appreciate all of the theory, lessons, and learning from the masters. But now I need to \u00e2\u20ac\u0153kill my masters\u00e2\u20ac\u009d and set my own sail.<\/p>\n<p>Ironically enough, everyday I am trying to unlearn one thing. After a while of accumulating too much photography theory, it has hurt me more than hurt me. I hesitate making photos because I have too much self-criticism. The voices in my head tell me, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153No Eric, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t take that photo. It will be shitty.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I am a very harsh editor of my work as well; I only make about one photo a month I am proud of.<\/p>\n<p>But moving forward, I want to have more fun with my photography. I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to be held by theories and ideas. I want to pave my own path.<\/p>\n<p>So friend, after you have learned all of these fundamental lessons, unlearn them as well. Pave your own path. Just see the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153masters\u00e2\u20ac\u009d as guides in your journey in photography. Once you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve found your path, you can bid farewell to them.<\/p>\n<p>If I could summarize all of the lessons I learned from the masters of street photography (and their philosophies of life) it would be this:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Never stop learning.<\/li>\n<li>Never stop shooting.<\/li>\n<li>Never stop challenging your beliefs in photography.<\/li>\n<li>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t forget that you only live once; shoot everyday if it were your last.<\/li>\n<li>Follow the path of the masters, but know when to \u00e2\u20ac\u0153kill\u00e2\u20ac\u009d the masters.<\/li>\n<li>Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t feel rushed; take your time. Your voice will emerge naturally.<\/li>\n<li>Disregard fame, fortune, and shoot for yourself.<\/li>\n<li>Buy experiences, not gear.<\/li>\n<li>Make connections, not photos.<\/li>\n<li>Love your subjects like yourself.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>What are you going to unlearn today?<\/p>\n<h2>Epilogue: You have no limits<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26497\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26497\" style=\"width: 1500px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26497\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/11\/a-photographers-search-for-meaning\/luis-donoso-e-roc-3\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Luis-Donoso-E-roc-2.jpg?fit=%2C&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"[]\" data-image-title=\"Luis Donoso E-roc\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Photo by Luis Donoso&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Luis-Donoso-E-roc-2.jpg?ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26497\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Luis-Donoso-E-roc-2.jpg?resize=1500%2C998\" alt=\"Photo by Luis Donoso\" width=\"1500\" height=\"998\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26497\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo by Luis Donoso<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Dear friend,<\/p>\n<p>Thank you so much for accompanying me along this journey. I hope you enjoyed reading this book as much as I enjoyed writing it.<\/p>\n<p>The end of a journey is always a bit bitter-sweet. I have poured my entire heart, soul, and being into researching, writing, and designing this book\u00e2\u20ac\u201d and I am quite proud of the final outcome. But remember at the end of the day, it is just a guide and a manual; not a bible you should mindlessly follow.<\/p>\n<p>Always read all these lessons with a skeptical eye. Even though these master photographers are great, they are still fallible human beings (like the rest of us). Many of these photographers still succumbed to envy, grief, frustration, and jealousy (of other photographers). They didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have all of their shit figured out, and neither do we.<\/p>\n<p>Ultimately we need to all pave our own path and life in photography. So don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t follow the masters blindly; be a good pupil and always question the teacher. After all, the teachers are also students at the end of the day.<\/p>\n<p>In writing this book, I had a lot of ups-and-downs. I got my backpack stolen while in Paris and thought without a laptop I couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t write the book. But I followed the ancient proverb: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hunger breeds sophistication.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d I ended up writing most of the text for the book on my smartphone, synced it via Evernote, and designed the whole thing on an iPad and Apple Pages. For this eBook edition, I used the iBooks author tool.<\/p>\n<p>The lesson it taught me was this: don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t let any of your external circumstances in life hold you back from creating. Your creativity, aspirations and ideas are limitless.<\/p>\n<p>You have no boundaries to your imagination. The only boundary you have is your own mental limits. The limits are never your lack of money, lack of time, lack of opportunity, or the lack of equipment.<\/p>\n<p>If you have any other ambitious photography projects, ignore what everybody else says. Follow your own heart and bliss. You only live one life, and it is short. Why waste it living according to the expectations of others? Devote every waking moment to creating your art.<\/p>\n<p>Even when you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re busy at your day job \u00e2\u20ac\u0153working\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00e2\u20ac\u201d never stop dreaming about your creative projects.<\/p>\n<p>What legacy do you want to leave behind after you die? What regrets do you want to prevent at the end of your photographic life? What are some photographic projects you haven\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t pursued yet that you have always wanted to?<\/p>\n<p>Use money as a tool to accomplish some of your dreams, and know at the end of the day, you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t need a fancy camera to pursue any of your projects. All you need is determination, grit, a supportive community of like-minded artists and photographers, and a dog-like determination to complete your project.<\/p>\n<p>Never stop learning and creating, and always embrace \u00e2\u20ac\u0153<a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/09\/15\/why-we-should-embrace-beginners-mind-in-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>beginner\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s mind<\/strong><\/a>.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n<p>Farewell my dear friend, you were destined for great things.<\/p>\n<p>Love,<br>\nEric<\/p>\n<p><em>New Orleans, Sun, 4:28pm, Oct 11, 2015<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>Index of the masters of street photography<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_24882\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-24882\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"24882\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/learn-from-the-masters\/image-95\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/image3.jpg?fit=800%2C519&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"800,519\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"image\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Prague, 1968. Josef Koudelka \/ Magnum Photos&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/image3.jpg?fit=800%2C519&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-large wp-image-24882\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/image3-800x519.jpg?resize=800%2C519\" alt=\"Prague, 1968. Josef Koudelka \/ Magnum Photos\" width=\"800\" height=\"519\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/image3.jpg?w=800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/image3.jpg?resize=660%2C428&amp;ssl=1 660w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-24882\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Prague, 1968. <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/03\/28\/10-lessons-josef-koudelka-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Josef Koudelka<\/a> \/ Magnum Photos<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/02\/25\/14-lessons-alec-soth-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\">Alec Soth<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/04\/10-things-alex-webb-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\">Alex Webb<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/08\/27\/10-things-anders-petersen-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\">Anders Petersen<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/09\/16\/10-lessons-andre-kertesz-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\">Andre Kertesz<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/10\/15-lessons-bruce-davidson-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\">Bruce Davidson<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/08\/24\/5-lessons-bruce-gilden-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\">Bruce Gilden<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/09\/22\/20-lessons-constantine-manos-taught-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Constantine Manos<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/03\/5-lessons-daido-moriyama-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\">Daido Moriyama<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/10\/01\/13-lessons-dan-winters-taught-street-photograpy\/\">Dan Winters<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/09\/23\/15-lessons-david-alan-harvey-taught-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">David Alan Harvey<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/05\/10-things-magnum-photographer-david-hurn-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\">David Hurn<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/10\/15\/11-lessons-diane-arbus-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\">Diane Arbus<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/03\/09\/6-lessons-dorothea-lange-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\">Dorothea Lange<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/09\/23\/14-lessons-elliott-erwitt-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\">Elliott Erwitt<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/09\/30\/6-lessons-eugene-atget-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\">Eugene Atget<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/05\/13\/7-lessons-w-eugene-smith-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\">Eugene Smith<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/08\/10-things-garry-winogrand-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\">Garry Winogrand<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/06\/06\/7-lessons-helen-levitt-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\">Helen Levitt<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/12\/09\/17-lessons-henri-cartier-bresson-taught-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Henri Cartier-Bresson<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/12\/26\/11-lessons-jacob-aue-sobol-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\">Jacob Aue Sobol<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/04\/03\/6-lessons-jeff-mermelstein-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\">Jeff Mermelstein<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/01\/22\/12-lessons-joel-meyerowitz-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\">Joel Meyerowitz<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/02\/14\/6-lessons-joel-sternfeld-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\">Joel Sternfeld<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/03\/10-lessons-josef-koudelka-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\">Josef Koudelka<\/a>&nbsp;\/ <a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/11\/25\/7-lessons-josef-koudelka-taught-photography-life\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Part 2<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/08\/21\/7-lessons-josh-white-has-taught-me-about-street-photography-and-life\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Josh White<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/03\/29\/10-lessons-lee-friedlander-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\">Lee Friedlander<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/10\/03\/10-things-street-photographers-can-learn-from-magnum-contact-sheets\/\">Magnum Contact Sheets<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2011\/09\/35-magnum-photographers-give-their-advice-to-aspiring-photographers\/\">Magnum Photographers<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/02\/17\/14-lessons-mark-cohen-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\">Mark Cohen<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/03\/26\/10-things-martin-parr-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\">Martin Parr<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/09\/14\/24-more-lessons-mary-ellen-mark-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mary Ellen Mark<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/03\/16\/6-lessons-rene-burri-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\">Rene Burri<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/09\/26\/5-lessons-richard-avedon-taught-street-photography\/\">Richard Avedon<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/04\/07\/18-lessons-richard-kalvar-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\">Richard Kalvar<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/05\/30\/8-lessons-robert-capa-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\">Robert Capa<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/01\/timeless-lessons-street-photographers-can-learn-from-robert-franks-the-americans\/\">Robert Frank<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/11\/04\/7-lessons-saul-leiter-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\">Saul Leiter<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2015\/03\/02\/5-lessons-sebastiao-salgado-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\">Sebasti\u00c3\u00a3o Salgado<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2012\/08\/5-things-stephen-shore-can-teach-you-about-street-photography\/\">Stephen Shore<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/03\/04\/timeless-insights-you-can-learn-from-the-history-of-street-photography\/\">The History of Street Photography<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/tag\/todd-hido\/\">Todd Hido<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/11\/16\/dont-take-boring-photos-13-tips-for-street-photographers-from-tony-ray-jones\/\">Tony Ray-Jones<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/02\/10\/12-lessons-trent-parke-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\">Trent Parke<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/04\/14\/5-lessons-vivian-maier-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\">Vivian Maier<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/09\/05\/17-lessons-walker-evans-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\">Walker Evans<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/05\/22\/10-lessons-weegee-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\">Weegee<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/04\/10-lessons-william-eggleston-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\">William Eggleston<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/03\/10-lessons-william-klein-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\">William Klein<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2014\/02\/20\/8-lessons-zoe-strauss-has-taught-me-about-street-photography\/\">Zoe Strauss<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Quotes from the masters of street photography<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26847\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26847\" style=\"width: 1545px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26847\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/img_0861\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_0861.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1545,1024\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;QSS-32_33&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"IMG_0861\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Lisbon, 2015&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_0861.jpg?fit=1545%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26847\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_0861.jpg?resize=1545%2C1024\" alt=\"Lisbon, 2015\" width=\"1545\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_0861.jpg?w=1545&amp;ssl=1 1545w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_0861.jpg?resize=660%2C437&amp;ssl=1 660w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/IMG_0861.jpg?resize=768%2C509&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26847\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lisbon, 2015<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>See all the quotes from the masters of street photography below:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.evernote.com\/l\/ADHg8de64VpJQqDvC5do-fdEP6tDiGycDsE\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Evernote<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1zUzeFciKOHCqkhRYuCfh9H-GGpnw8b-CcII8b42Rf5A\/edit?usp=sharing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Google Docs<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>About the author<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_26932\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-26932\" style=\"width: 667px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"26932\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/27\/100-lessons-from-the-masters-of-street-photography\/eric-kim-street-photographer-2014-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Eric-Kim-Street-Photographer-2014.jpg?fit=667%2C1000&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"667,1000\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Eric-Kim-Street-Photographer-2014\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Photo by Josh White&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Eric-Kim-Street-Photographer-2014.jpg?fit=667%2C1000&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-26932\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Eric-Kim-Street-Photographer-2014.jpg?resize=667%2C1000\" alt=\"Photo by Josh White\" width=\"667\" height=\"1000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Eric-Kim-Street-Photographer-2014.jpg?w=667&amp;ssl=1 667w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Eric-Kim-Street-Photographer-2014.jpg?resize=440%2C660&amp;ssl=1 440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 667px) 100vw, 667px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-26932\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo by <a href=\"http:\/\/jtinseoul.wordpress.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Josh White<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Eric Kim<\/strong><\/a> is a photography teacher currently based in Berkeley, California. His life\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s mission is to dedicate himself to producing as much \u00e2\u20ac\u0153<a href=\"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2013\/08\/29\/my-vision-of-open-source-photography-volume-2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>open source<\/strong><\/a>\u00e2\u20ac\u009d knowledge about photography, philosophy, and happiness during his short term on this planet.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dropbox PDF Download &gt;&gt;&gt; Dear streettogs, in order to make access to information about street photography more open and easily accessible, I put together my book &#8220;100 Lessons From the Masters of Street Photography&#8221; together in this (epic) blog post. This is a distillation of all the lessons I&#8217;ve learned from the masters of street [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-26699","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-posts"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26699","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26699"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26699\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":441266,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26699\/revisions\/441266"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26699"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26699"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26699"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}