In the autumn of 2021 I completed an online course by Magnum Learn called “Curiosity in Practice”. In this course photographer Jonas Bendiksen shares lessons learned over his 20+ year career.
After I finished listening to 6.5 hours long material, I began to understand why I wasn't happy about my approach to street photography.
In this retrospective I will first analyse what went wrong during recent years that frustrated me and what could be done better in the future to address these issues.
Fastidiousness
What went wrong
For me everything had to be perfect geometrically, all objects should be in the frame, there should be no or little perspective distortions, no overexposed regions. To achieve this I turned on gauge, grid, clipping and histogram controls in my camera’s live display settings. This fastidious approach created stress and slowed me down. I ended up missing opportunities and my throughput suffered. During a day’s shoot out I could produce 100+ pictures, this number should be 1,000+ in order to grow my skill level.
What can be done better
A skewed horizon can add movement. Wide angle distortions add depth. Overblown regions will disappear gradually by experience as you take more pictures. The solution is to turn off gauge, grid, clipping and histogram controls in live display settings. Don’t pay too much attention to distortion and skewness. Focus on the story and clarity of the image, shoot rapidly, each time change your angle and position. This will increase your chance of getting one good picture.
Clutter
It is worthwhile to define what clutter in photography is. Clutter is unrelated group of objects in the frame overlaid in a confusing way, stealing attention from the story and causing dissonance. Sometimes partially visible objects cut by the frame cause dissonance and they too should be classified as clutter. Occasionally though partially visible objects can add mystery to the story, in those cases they are acceptable.
What went wrong
As an indirect result of fastidiousness I ended up in pictures with no distortion, and no overexposed regions but I failed to pay attention to other factors, notably I failed in preventing clutter.
What can be done better
Use your time in taking more pictures. Ten-fold your throughput. Pay prime attention to eliminating clutter. If there is clutter try changing your or camera’s position many times and shoot more pictures at different angles.
Zoom
Zoom in wildlife, portrait and commercial photography can be useful and acceptable, however it produces problems in street photography.
What went wrong
Analog or digital zoom kills street stories by removing depth. It is depth that makes storytelling more impactful and dramatic. In street photography occasionally I used a zoom camera to compensate for inability to approach subjects. However my zoomed pictures lacked the impact wide angle lens can provide.
What can be done better
Zoom should not be used as a tool to mimic approaching subjects or to remove clutter around frame borders. Focus on the glory of using a wide angle lens and capture meaningful elements in your frame. Approach your subjects, change your or camera’s position to eliminate clutter around frame borders. A wide angle lens will add drama and enrich your story-telling. Get closer to your subjects by practising more. Always shoot in 28mm.
Approaching to people
What went wrong
In street photography I struggled to approach people. Often I tried to conceal my intention. My hesitant behaviour irritated people further, made me more nervous and eliminated any chance of approaching them.
What can be done better
Do not hide yourself or your camera. People notice. Honesty is a virtue, take ownership of your photography. People should realise you are there to take pictures. If you are relaxed they will be and they will turn their attention away from you. Ironically the more visible you are the more invisible you will become. This is easier said than done, but with practice it will improve.
