Why Do I Shoot Street Photography?
Street photography, to me, is the most challenging form of outdoor photography. Sure, anyone can grab a camera, hit the streets and snap some shots. But to do it well? Extremely challenging. Not only because of the hustle of people and cars rushing past you every few minutes or seconds, but because it took a few years to figure out the “why” behind it. I didn’t start asking myself why I enjoyed street photography until about a year or so into practicing it. Once I did though, I tried to come up with reasons to fill as an answer to that question. I would tell myself things like “I want to document the human condition” and justify my half-assed attempts at taking photos of strangers with the reason of “there’s nothing wrong with doing it, I’m not breaking any laws.” And while those statements may be true, those answers always felt a bit inauthentic and vague. After a little more than two years of doing it, I’ve come to a few conclusions as to what draws me to street photography.
A big part of it is because of the ever-changing nature of the craft. When you’re out on the streets, everything is happening around you at such a rapid pace, that it can be difficult to keep up with. Light and scenery is constantly shifting, compositions are plentiful, and almost nothing is ever the same twice. As someone who oftentimes has a short attention span, it’s really allowed me to not shy away from that part of my personality. I’ve felt more inclined and empowered to lean into it and use it as a strength. If I’m struggling to find a composition where I’m at, I can easily just keep walking, and find something else that will inevitably catch my interest, rather than continue wasting my time waiting for something that might never come.
Sonder, as defined by www.dictionary.com is “the feeling one has on realizing that every other individual one sees has a life as full and real as one’s own, in which they are the central character and others, including oneself, have secondary or insignificant roles.”
This is what draws me to street photography the most. An innate sense of sonder, that I’ve always carried throughout my life.
Whether I’m walking through Times Square with my camera, grabbing breakfast at a deli, or simply getting gas, I constantly find myself curious about the people around me. Not that I necessarily want to get to know them, but I understand they have a life that’s just as full of complexities and nuance as myself or anyone else. It’s my way of imagining scenarios for these people, and what kind of adventures or adversities they’ve been through; what other kinds of obstacles or victories they may face in the future. It’s my way of freezing a moment in time that may never happen again for me, or the individual in the frame.
With a sense of sonder, comes a deeper sense and understanding of empathy. Since we all have our own stories of heartbreak, trauma, loss, and hardship, it’s pushed me to further understand how to be more kind and less quick to pass judgement on someone I don’t know. Even if I don’t know the person I’m taking a photo of, I know something about them has drawn my eye to them, and it’s almost like a chance to be able to connect with this person, if only for a fraction of a second. It gives me a story that I can revisit over and over, having the story change every time I see it.
Creating photos of the strangers around me is my way of being able to have them be a small part of my own complex story. It’s my way of imagining scenarios for these people, and what kind of adventures or adversities they’ve been through; what other kinds of obstacles or victories they may face in the future. It’s my way of freezing a moment in time that may never happen again for me, or the individual in the frame.
It’s a bit ironic, but because of my natural curiosity of people and their complicated lives, it’s actually given me quite a great fear of strangers. I know this seems a bit counterintuitive to my last point, but it’s the truth. Whenever I’m out grabbing photos of strangers, it’s never lost on me that someone could potentially lash out, or even physically assault me. I’ve always held this fear, and for some reason, it seems to dissipate little by little the more often I go out with my camera. It’s pushed me entirely outside of my comfort zone, which has been the most crucial part of my growth as an individual. It’s taught me a lot of valuable lessons about myself, those around me, and life in general.
If you’re considering trying your hand at street photography, give it an honest chance. Be honest with yourself about your intentions, and if necessary, go with a friend. It can be a great opportunity to push your own boundaries and overcome fears while flexing your creative muscles. You might be surprised with what you walk away with, and how you feel about it afterwards. After all, if you want to catch lightning in a bottle, you need to put yourself in the middle of the storm.
