I can’t remember how I got myself into Street Photography and started doing it a year ago, on and off. Perhaps it is the freedom that I can shoot anytime, anywhere and the equipment needed is minimal.

You might say, how about architectural? Hmm… To me, they are just buildings, lifeless. Well, I used to like shooting buildings when I first got into photography in 2011 and I couldn’t understand why my friend loves portraiture. The thing is human changes, things that interest me before look boring now. Who knows, I might feel bored about Street Photography and jump ship to Macro in the future?

How I got into Street Photography

Moving on, I was addicted to the nervousness taking pictures of people in the street but when you click the shutter and the images turn out fine and that sense of satisfaction.

Yes, I have a full time job so I usually go out shooting after work when I have the mood. As I only have one to two hours before the sky turns dark, I cannot go far for landscape (lazy to bring tripod as well), buildings are boring, haven’t master the skill for macro, no models for portraiture, haven’t master fashion, so the only free and easy style is to take photos while walking. Maybe somehow that got me started to ponder about street photography. And somehow I got into film photography as well.

What I like about Street Photography?

Having been on the street for more than half a year, let me tell you why I like doing street photography.

What sparks my interest in street photography is the ability to capture moments, especially our human life. When I visit museums, there are always drawings or old photos to show life about people of the history. It’s just like looking back at old photos and saying ‘oh wow so that’s how the street used to look like’. I hope 100 years later, the next generation will look at my photos or any other street snaps and see how their ancestors life used to be, how people used to dress, how our current advanced technology is deemed outdated in their era.

Also, I heard Street photography is one of the challenging types of photography. In my opinion, every other genres are challenging as well if you aim for astounding shots. For example, people say landscape is easy. But I think if you truly want a breathtaking shot, you will go through all hardship such as going places less traveled, with all equipment you need, risking danger, risking failure. And you also need to be there at the right time. I have a friend who commute so far in hope to get a sunset shot with nice foreground. In the end, dark cloud ruined her hope, so she gotta pack and go home.

So, it’s not the challenge that draws me to Street Photography. It’s the documentation about life. Anyway, when you love someone, is there a true reason? Sometime we just fall in love even if he/she is the worst in the world. Because if you like the certain factor, what if that factor is taken away? Will you still love the person or move on looking for that factor?

Let me know why you enjoy Street Photography. I would be very interested to know 🙂