The iconic Tony Ray Jones Approach list got a bit of a re-visit on Twitter this week thanks to a post from Phil Turpin and it got me thinking …
Let me start by saying that the list is great advice for all photographers as it is as relevant today as it always was but the Street Photography landscape we inhabit now is a very different world to the 1960’s England that TRJ immortalised.
What would / should a approach list fit for the twenty first century look like , I’m not suggesting that we can improve “The List” but I do wonder if we can add to it and modernise it for Street Photography today ?
This is mine , what will your list look like ?
MY APPROACH
Always shoot in colour , we live life in colour !
Use a wide lens and get close if necessary.
Avoid established photo clichés , seek originality.
Value the moment , ordinary is just ordinary .
Respect others but protect your rights , UK Street Photography is a lawful activity.
Never leave a location unless you have exhausted all the photo -ops .
Avoid photographing children .
Never risk your personal safety for a picture.
The real value of this blog should not be underestimated , its no bad thing to examine and re-examine your approach to Street Photography .
Mental preparation and visualisation of various Street scenarios will improve your photography and interaction with others , don’t ignore the advice to stay safe , not sure the safety advice would have been necessary back in the sixties, folk were more tolerant of photographers back then …
My list is not definitive or set in stone but it is more or less where I am now , if nothing else its a start to a ongoing conversation with myself …
Give it a go and make a list of “Approach Stuff” , it will help to improve your personal photography …
Value the moment , ordinary is just ordinary .
David Barrett shot the pandemic crisis during 2020, The Testing Times project is coming to a end, hopefully ? It can be seen by clicking above .
The State Of Britain series is complete, it explores everyday life during the Brexit era and gives visual insights into British identity, aspirations and post-truth uncertainty .....
Check out the new UK Street Shop on this site to buy the print of the month , other Prints, Walks & More …
He is based in the South West of England .