Imagination out of the ordinary
I’ve said it before and I’ll probably say it again. This bit with smartphones is to a street photographer both irritating and nice.
It’s easier to take a pic as people don’t see you immediately and also the blueish light from the screens help to light up their faces. But. It’s getting harder to get that magic look straight into my camera these days…
Met him at Korsvägen a late afternoon last August. He stood out a bit, as he was the best dressed person around.
“Off course I am, I’m a tailor”, he said…
In a tight alley, outside a coffee shop in Gothenburg I met him. I spite of dark afternoon I figured that the lighting where he sat would turn out well. So I had to talk to him a bit, as I also got several nice shots. Nice guy.
Just looking out the window? No. It hardly exists any longer. Today I see young and old, staring down in their screens.
I like eyes a lot. Very often in a good street photography you got that look straight into your lens. But sometimes peoples looks tells a lot too. And they’re great to establish projections and directions in a pic.
I met this man as I was leaving downtown Indianapolis (Circle Monument) a day in late November. The first I saw was his fine set of flowers, it’s was only as I already had asked for a pic (with a friendly nod of head) as I also saw the lollipop. He stopped for a short while and I took three more pics.
Next up of my Street Photography friends is Daniel Eliasson, the man behind “Streetpeople.se”. We’ve done some collaborations, even if I consider him slightly more experienced as a photographer than I am. He’s a fun guy, the perfect company as you browse night life in a larger city…
Daniel and I wrote the original Street photography course at “Daily Bits of”, the version in Swedish. That was a great experience as we tried to pin down the pure basic elements of how to approach photography on the streets. Today there’s also an English version, that I wrote myself out of our mutual work.
Anyway, Daniel is a really good photographer, that’s already have had several workshops and exhibitions. Here are just a few examples of his storytelling.
All photos on this page: Daniel Eliasson.
In his own words: “I try to capture beautiful moments. Snapshots of life and social interactions between people. When I shoot street photos, I always look for the extraordinary. Something that sticks out from the regular. After 15 years, I still chase the perfect photo. I doubt it will ever come, but that’s what drives and motivates me; the hunt for the perfect street photography.”
More on Daniel? Visit his photography site on the web Streetpeople.se or go over to Facebook where you also can see some of his work.
It’s my birthday, so my wish goes, right? And my wish is that we end this stupid thing called winter. Preferably now!
Sandals, sunglasses and a lazy pose. More people than I longing for summer?
This simple and inspiring course I first wrote in Swedish with my Street Photography buddy Daniel Eliasson. This English version helps any photographer who likes to take pictures of people. Tips, knowledge and inspiring exercises, all wrapped into a 20 day, less than three minut e-mail course. And of course – it’s free of any charge.
There is also another way of taking the course and that’s here on my site. Just click on the meny at the words “Street photography – un introduction”.
Happy hunting on the streets!
Sometimes a shot is technically not even close to perfect, but still it stirs in your mind – as a forgotten memory of sorts. Out of focus, unsharp and still mindful. As the late night in Amsterdam…
GFN Street Photography 