Exploring My Twelve-Year Journey Through Street Photography
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Throughout my photography journey, street photography has been my driving passion since 2012. This enthusiasm was ignited by a thoughtful gift from my wife: a street photography workshop in the heart of Lisbon. It transformed my perspective on how to view the world through my camera lens.
Over the course of twelve years, I have documented countless moments that narrate the tales of everyday life. This week, I will present my twelve most cherished street photographs, sharing the evolution of my work and the intentions behind each image. These are not mere snapshots; they encapsulate significant moments in time that resonate deeply with me. I will detail the reasoning behind my selections and the lessons I've gleaned along the way.
Choosing favorites transcends mere audience appeal or accolades. A photograph becomes successful when you can feel your essence within it. While my past narratives often revolved around specific themes, this series diverges into a more personal exploration—almost an autobiographical account.
Before I embraced street photography, it was always a part of my life, bridging my analytical and creative sides. Initially, like many street photographers, I gravitated towards landscapes and macro photography, relying heavily on tripods, reflex cameras, and an array of lenses and accessories. I often felt bogged down by the equipment rather than inspired by it, and I found myself chasing after “postcard” images rather than creating something uniquely mine. A sense of laziness crept in as enthusiasm waned, and I realized I needed a fresh perspective.
The workshop in June 2012 marked my inaugural experience practicing street photography alongside like-minded individuals. Up until that point, I had only followed the works of two street photographers: Rui Palha from Portugal and Thomas Leuthard from Switzerland. While I still had much to learn about street photography, Rui’s extensive portfolio, particularly in Lisbon, has always inspired me. Thomas, an active street photographer and educator, authored several eBooks that introduced me to the genre before leaving the scene in 2017.
The instructor at the workshop may not have been exceptionally inspiring, but the experience ignited my curiosity. How could such profound stories unfold simply by observing the streets? The challenge lies in capturing spontaneous moments that cannot be staged, revealing genuine emotions, and providing unfiltered glimpses into human experiences. This art form seemed to blend intuition with creativity, allowing me to tell stories through my images.
Reflecting on my first four years through four photographs brings a sense of nostalgia. It’s enjoyable to sift through my portfolio, selecting images that hold special significance. It's akin to a time travel experience, where I recall the context behind each shot—the location, the setup, the anticipation before capturing a moment, and the joy of preserving a slice of reality.
I envision the world as a vast stage, where I am the director and passersby are the unscripted actors. Each photograph captures a fleeting moment, inviting viewers to imagine the narratives that lie beyond the frame. The selected images below are presented chronologically and are not ranked in any way. I will start with four and continue sharing more in the weeks to come.
Patience
This image represents my first successful street photograph, taken during that transformative workshop in 2012. The task was straightforward: focus on a subject, engage with the scene, and capture something meaningful while exercising patience.
I spotted a well-dressed man in one of Lisbon’s bustling squares, seemingly waiting for his wife while passing the time by trimming his nails on a bench—a sight not seen every day. Observing the streets reveals odd, humorous, and touching moments if you take the time to look.
A young woman, likely a tourist, also seemed to be passing the time, sitting on the same bench with a book. I chose to position myself on a nearby bench, hoping my persistence around the main subject would yield a rewarding shot.
The composition intrigued me, particularly the expanse of bench separating the two figures. The scene raised many questions: What might the woman be thinking? Is there a connection between them? Or is it merely my imagination?
At that time, social media platforms like Instagram were not yet ubiquitous; I shared my photographs on a carefully curated Portuguese photography site called Fine Art Portugal. After years of landscape and macro photography, this image was the first I successfully showcased in their gallery. While it may not seem significant now, it significantly reignited my passion for street photography at that moment.
Perseverance
The first favorite was taken with my bulky Canon DSLR (EOS 7D). By 2013, I decided to lighten my load, selling all my gear and embarking on my Fujifilm mirrorless journey with a compact X10, which I later used for subsequent street photographs.
During those first two years, street photography became an obsession, filled with discovery and experimentation. I spent weekends shooting around Lisbon, taking part in various workshops, and voraciously reading to enhance my skills.
One particularly inspiring book was "Street Photography Now," published in 2012, which showcased the work of 46 contemporary street photographers capturing urban life. It was through this book that I discovered the work of Matt Stuart, a master of candid moments that often depict humor and surrealism.
One of his iconic images, featuring a unique perspective focusing on feet, captivated me. The synchronization of legs, including a pigeon racing alongside humans, created a visually striking scene. Inspired by his work, I sought to recreate a similar effect, capturing the essence of a bustling street from a low angle.
My early attempts, however, did not yield the desired results.
However, after numerous tries and keeping Matt’s image in mind, I finally captured a photograph that fulfilled my vision.
This photograph was both planned and instinctual.
In Rossio Square, where shoe-shining men often congregate, I framed a shot from a low angle, seeking to capture the bustling feet of passersby along with a shoe-shining man. I aimed to replicate the dynamic of Matt's image, hoping to include a pigeon in the mix.
After numerous attempts, some of which showcased the movement of walkers and the shoe-shining man in the background, none seemed satisfactory.
Interestingly, when I stopped focusing solely on the low angle, I captured a different yet balanced composition that told a story of its own.
> The shoe-shining man, without clients, turns to hear footsteps.
This moment captured the joy of perseverance paying off. Although not precisely as envisioned, the composition conveyed a dynamic narrative, illustrating the synergy between drawing inspiration from others and infusing one's personality into the work.
This photograph led me to delve deeper, crafting a fictional narrative inspired by it.
A Snapshot of Dimmed Hope
Short stories based on street photographs
Time and intuition are critical elements in street photography. Time allows stories to unfold, but it can also expose any excess in the scene—wisely utilized, it becomes a creative asset. Intuition serves as the instinctual understanding of how to capture moments as they develop.
Over time, I honed these skills. For another favorite photo, I was shooting in Calçada do Duque with a friend, captivated by a childlike mural on a wall. I thought, "If I can frame someone in front of it, it could lead to something interesting." So, I waited, adjusting my focus and exposure, taking several shots, none of which felt right at first.
I reminded myself to be patient. Eventually, I captured an individual positioned perfectly against the mural.
Meanwhile, two women approached the scene, prompting me to take one last shot. I’m uncertain if the second woman was drawn to the wall out of curiosity or if I was simply fortunate.
What emerged was a photograph that exceeded my original expectations, evolving from a simple juxtaposition into a cohesive narrative, all falling into place serendipitously.
When you sense there’s more to capture, allow time to guide you.
Human Condition
Capturing images on public transportation serves as an excellent avenue for expressing moods and inviting viewers to engage their imaginations. In crowded spaces, there’s little room for pretense; individuals often occupy themselves with scrolling, reading, or daydreaming.
It becomes a fertile ground for street photography. Nowadays, people seem unable to disconnect, with the majority on digital autopilot during commutes. I enjoy highlighting these contrasts.
In this subway photograph, the woman in the foreground stands out among the crowd, seemingly lost in thought. Her expression hints at worry, but the mystery remains—what occupies her mind?
Using a 70 mm equivalent focal length, I compressed the foreground and background, enhancing the sense of confinement that often accompanies crowded commutes. This intimate portrayal of daily life is one of many I will capture throughout my street photography journey and remains one of my (early) favorites!
> Reflecting on twelve years of street photography, I recognize that each image transcends mere visuals; it embodies a fragment of my journey, encapsulating personal significance.
Stay tuned for more stories and photographs in the weeks ahead. One frame at a time.