No not the fish , a comfortable spot to rest , while maintaining a interest in your Street Photography but not necessarily a active interest , a safe place to watch, wait, notice and wait , then wait some more …
I was reminded of this perching principle this week as I shared a few images from my Testing Times Project on Twitter this week , like you , I like the idea of a responsive , reactive approach to Street Photography but I’m not as young as I once was and can’t charge around continuously during a four hour photo-shoot anymore , every now and then I need to stop and look a bit deeper , I quite often stop instinctively , not because I’ve seen a photo opportunity but because I’ve noticed a number of elements that might work as a pic if I can find a way to pull them together , some locations hint that a good pic is possible if you can just look beyond , find the right view , light and moment !
I know that these locations require me to put the time in and wait , then wait and wait some more , Street Photography can’t always be flash , bang , wallop !
Sometimes you have to think about the visual symbolism that a real life location can suggest , the reality of a location is just a starting point !
I think of these locations as perches , this is where I hang out during my down time on those quiet days when the pics are hard to find , this angel location was one of my favorite / comfortable “Roost’s” during 2020 and 2021 , I knew this location could and would deliver if I put the work and time in !
This is the first of many captures at this location , its a heavenly solution to down time , sorry I’ll get me coat …
The take away from todays short blog is to encourage photographers to find and identify a couple of likely spots to return to when you regular route is not delivering , make sure your there when the conditions are just right , then wait until you get a moment of interest , if at first you fail return and fail again , repeat until you succeed , I didn’t say being lucky was easy !
On the days when the world has not read your Street Photography script its nice to have a few locations in mind that might deliver one or two opportunities when all else fails …
This location started off as a bit of fun in January 2020 but took on a more significant , unusual symbolism once the Covid crisis landed …
Find a perch and take it easy , look beyond the reality …
Stay safe ….
MORE…
If your blessed with a bit more time feel free to visit highlights from my Another Day Off project , The State Of Britain series and The Testing Times pictures , they represent the most turbulent years in modern British history and ten years of my life…