Is anti-social Street Photography a good thing ?
Whoa , Whoa , before you get onto your horse that is high , let me explain what I mean …
Anyone who knows me , knows that I’m a straight forward Geordie bloke with a healthy disregard for the dubious hierarchy of dilettante sycophants that hover around Street & Doc Photography but that does not make me a bad person !
The “Anti-Social” element I am referencing here is my strongly held belief that serious Street & Doc is almost exclusively a solo activity , Street Photography is not a team game although I acknowledge how the support of others might benefit some , lot’s of folk enjoy the social element of photo gatherings during the early days of their SP journey …
Serious “STREET” engagement requires high levels of concentration , curiosity , seeing and anticipation that are difficult to achieve when engaging socially for me , I have enjoyed both , divide your shoots into social or solo sessions , identify your aims and objectives in advance , catching up with your mates is great fun but be aware that shooting as part of a group is a totally different dynamic to “serious” solo shoots , good conversation can be a costly distraction and compromise serious intent …
Cycle Security , Dublin , 2016
Street Photography is not a democratic committee based activity although it can be if your not careful , I shot as part of a group in Dublin a few years ago and enjoyed the craic enormously but I failed to find the mental space I associate with my solo shoots , if your new to STREET you will benefit greatly from the support & security of a group dynamic but you will learn more about yourself from solo adventures , “Street” is not about fitting in , its about breaking out !
It’s difficult to maintain the infamous “Photo-cloak of invisibility” or “Personal Vision” alongside a dozen other photographers !
However you choose to do it , enjoy but don’t judge those of us who prefer a isolated , focused , single minded solo approach , we are not anti-social , honest …
I’m just trying to find pictures that reflect my life , now where did I park my bike…
MORE…
If your blessed with a bit more time feel free to visit highlights from LIMBOLAND , my State Of Play project or The State Of Britain series , they represent the most turbulent years in modern British history and ten years of my life …