My Problem With Street Photography

... it's scary, that's my problem ...

I was sent an interesting video the other day, a video by Thomas Heaton, in which he talks about his problem with street photography. And sorry <spoiler alert> but the main reason is, as Thomas himself says, the trauma from photographing people, and worrying about what people think when you stick your 56mm in their face. Yeah, I know, a 56mm is not a street photography focal length, but you get the idea.

I know everyone says that most people don’t care about being photographed, and I am pretty sure most people don’t. I’ve seen enough videos on that YouTube the kids have these days that that’s true; hours of content of some bloke, often with a Leica, cutting about the streets pointing their Sumicrons and Elmarits in people’s faces and nothing ever happens. Well, not quite. And there’s plenty of video’s out there that tell you how to deal with it. But still, I find it very hard to go out and take the images that I want to take when I’m on the streets.

I think it takes a certain kind of person to be a street photographer. You need confidence, you need a keen eye for the moment (for which you need experience being around people), but most of all you need to be interested in people.

Like Thomas says, I love street photography, but then why do I hate is so much?

I think it’s because I lack confidence. I have a lot of self doubt, not helped by a small dose of body dysmorphia, and I am by nature risk averse. I am also my own harshest critic, and that voice on my shoulder is forever telling me that it’s no good, you’ll never be the photographer you want to be. So, all in all not a good recipe for being the next Robert Doisneau, or Joel Meyerowitz.

All of which is fine. I don’t have to be. I can be me, and find solace in the sort of things I do enjoy photographing. And don’t forget, street photography does not have to include people. I like Sean’s take, street still life. It resonates with me. And still life doesn’t judge, or comment, or care. It’s just there, waiting to tell their story.