One year of street photography

My street photography journey started a year ago. At least the part anyone can see online. This is a little personal story of my experiences and the lessons I learned during this intensive year. It all started with a light bulb moment when I started to see and search for more and more street photo content. For some reason, I was not a fan of this whole big broad genre. Then, one day, it just clicked. I know it sounds a bit childish, but it really happened almost overnight. I suddenly understood and started to like it. Of course, I already knew the giants of the genre, but then I started to buy books and deliberately search for street photography content on Instagram.

For a short day, I tried to go out and take some pictures with the not-so-small Canon R5 with the 15-35 RF zoom, but it turned out that even people from the other side of the street knew I did something photography-related. So, I started to search for smaller cameras. After a while, I made the biggest mistake in my life, which ruined my financial state but made me enjoy photography more than ever. I visited the Leica store and tried out the Leica Q3. Honestly, I tried to hate it. I tried to list every possible reason to find things that are not great with that camera. But in reality, this was the first time I used a camera, and somehow everything was right. Kind of a love at first sight. Long story short, I ordered it.

First steps

Getting close to people. Well, I'm still not completely comfortable with this. Anyone who is even somewhat familiar with my street photo work can see this. After years of architecture photography, I am naturally drawn to symmetry, shapes, and interesting angles. My other obsession that was there even at the beginning of my photography journey many years ago is light and shadow. I must confess I am an obsessive light chaser. At first, I tried to avoid high-contrast scenes to change my style deliberately. But after a short time, I realised I could not do that as I am so naturally drawn to this. One thing I absolutely cannot do is close-up flash photography on the streets. I know some spectacular photographers who are great at that type of street photography. I'm more of an introvert, I don't feel confident in a situation like that.

I try to get better at getting closer to people. I often need to, as my main tool on the streets is a Leica Q3 camera with a 28mm fixed lens. Sometimes I even enjoy being in the crowd hunting for interesting scenes and moments. But as you might suspect, still far more comfortable with wider scenes, or finding a great spot with spectacular light and waiting for the right subject to appear and be at the right place. Which of course requires patience. And that leads me to the next point…

99% failure rate

This you can hear and read everywhere. It really sounds like the first big street photography cliche. At least that's what I thought. I knew it was not like any other genre where you are still able to use maybe 60-88% of your shots. But this is completely true. I clearly remember the first time when I was out on the streets of Budapest with the camera. I was so sure I got a few stunning shots. And as I arrived home and checked the imported files I saw that I got one or two that might be ok, but the rest of it (around 300 shots) are actually bad. I mean really bad. I thought this might improve with time, but in reality not so much. Of course, with practice, it is getting a little better on great days, but still have many walks where I don't take any shots that could see the light of day. This is very discouraging at first, but after the initial depression stage, something just tells you to go out and try to find your shots. And eventually, you’ll find it. The recipe is not a secret. You need lots of time on the street and need even more patience. Sometimes you need more mental energy to convince yourself to go out to shoot, but probably those are the days you need to get through to get great results.

Why street photography is good for you

The first and most obvious benefit is that you're developing as a photographer. Even if you work in other genres, your speed and ability to find great compositions and grab great frames increase exponentially. I knew street photography would have a positive impact on photography-related things, but I didn't expect it to have so much impact. And if you ever heard of being in a flow state, you might easily experience it with this genre. Maybe not at first, but if you find what you like and start to take shots that you like, it is like a drug. You just want to go out and shoot more, find more interesting scenes, more great compositions. So maybe it's true that street photography is great for our mental health.

Street photography is so international

I didn't expect this, but I already have a few friends from the online community. I know there are some real negative people who only try to make you feel bad, the vast majority of real photographers out there are just nice, obsessed folks who are passionate about photography. And they like it if they meet another person like them. I cannot tell you how much support I received from this community. Great conversations, amazing advice, suggestions on how to grow as a photographer, and the list could go on. Constructive criticism really builds you and encourages you to do the necessary things. In my opinion, this is one of the broadest genres in photography, you surely find a style you like. And in that style, you'll soon discover others who are willing to share their insight.

I did not expect this

I was struggling a bit with my photography before I discovered street photography as a genre. I felt a bit like doing the same things over and over again in different locations. Street photography made me much more curious. Or I was curious to start with, and this genre helped to use this curiosity. Even in more mundane photography jobs. After so many messages, I started to send my work to contests. I didn't win a huge award, but I have already been a finalist in a few contests, which is a great thing for me. I know that's not the real measurement of the quality of a picture, but with some portfolio reviews and some suggestions from curators, it might get easier to select the great shots. It is still a huge surprise to me how generous these people are with their insight.

Social media

I'm not an expert, actually very far from it. Social media is the necessary evil, many say. In my experience, it is a huge blessing and a nightmare, even both in one day. It's an amazing source of inspiration, a great place to keep in touch with others, and obviously a place to show your work. On the other hand, it can drain your energy very quickly. It might drag you into the "get more likes" race, which is not healthy. I have a really small account with only around 2000 followers, but at least it seems the majority of these followers are truly interested in my work. Nothing new here, you need to be there. I try to use it wisely, to connect with the right people and to get inspired.

The start of a journey

I don't know where this journey takes me. But I like the process, like the creation and the constant search. Not so much the failures, but I know it's part of this game. Without that, there won't be any good either. Still, it is very bad to see I have to delete so many shots because, well, they are bad. There are days when you're out on the streets shooting and feel that you have some special ones, only to find out it's just all very bad ones. But the experience, the discovery, the joy of creation is bigger than the failure. I hope it won't fade with time.