When I am in the craze, I would go out to any street of my choice and blast the shutter away, coming home with hundreds of images. Not all of my images would be keepers, and hit rates of what I keep versus what I delete varies greatly in each shutter therapy sessions. I have been reminded by a few friends lately to slow down, take a deep look into my photographs, and really look at them without being affected by what I feel and think in that temporary frenzy shooting state of mind. The reason is plain simple: my perception of what is beautiful at this particular moment of time may change in the next month, or sooner, weeks, knowing that the ever-changing preference and style of shooting being inevitable, thus not all photographs produced and passed self quality control at one time will stand the test of time in photography growth.
Street photography is a vast genre of photography, encompassing so many sub-categories including people, landscape, urban decay, photo-journalism, and most of them have at least two or three sub-categories intertwined with each other to form a full street photograph. It is difficult, or should I say, needless to restrict the definition of what a street photograph should be. There are many available sources of literature to fully describe and define what street photography should be, but I, as a new-born photographer in the digital era would not care too much on how or what the older generation photographers told us on the "rights" and "wrongs" of photography. We live in a different era now, and we should create our own history, based on our time, instead of reliving and recreating what has been done countless times before. Therefore, I would like to see myself as a modern photographer, with very different outlook in my own street photography work, that may or may not necessarily satisfy the rules in the books of old.
After killing ALL my time for the Olympus OM-D E-M5 review works that spanned two weeks long (you guys have no idea how much sleep I have lost, worse for my friend Sanjit who did the video), now I finally have some time to sit down, and breathe. Hence I decided to look through my photographs that I have taken throughout the year 2011 (including some from early 2012) and compiled a small set of my favorites, being shown in this entry. Those photographs that I selected may not hold any particular reason of being good example of street photographs, instead, they were favored based on my own preferences and what I thought I liked very much, even after months, or a year since the photograph was taken. I shall also include some brief description on why I love those shots.
All images in this entry were taken in the year 2011 (a few in early 2012), with various Olympus cameras and lenses setup.
Street Projections
E-PL1 with kit lens
Jalan Masjid India
Some random abstract projection from the streets. I believe street shooting should not be constrained to human subjects only. There are many inanimate subjects that make great street subjects. Left image was a reflection from a puddle of water on the roadside.
Speed Variance
E-5 and 11-22mm with ND8 filter
Chow Kit
The focus of attention was the old man, which moved slower than the rest when he crossed the road.
Small House
E-5 and 50mm F2
Chow Kit
One of the most painful scenes I have encountered on the streets. A homeless lady living in a rubbish chute at the back-alley of shop lots. Yet the powerful impact in this photograph is the fact that she still found the strength to smile for the camera.
Wet and Sweep
E-5 and 11-22mm
Jalan Masjid India
I love shooting from low angle, and many times, from ground level looking upwards. Having the swivel screen and live view seriously helped my shooting in many situations. And yes, by now you should know I love reflections too. They open up a whole new dimension. The man was sweeping the water aside so that the ground would dry quicker, preparing for an event in the afternoon.
Waiting in Rain
E-PL1 and kit lens
Segambut Dalam, Near Mont Kiara
I was trapped due to heavy rain, but as I saw this man waiting across the road, I cannot help it but make this shot happen. I had to make sure the shutter speed was not too slow or else I cannot see the rain drops.
Sweetest Smile
E-5 and 50mm F2
Pudu
This is one of my most favourite portraits on the street, because the smile of the kid looked directly into me and gave me the sweetest smile I have ever seen. Most kids that age would give you the "blank" stare, or a "not so special smile" mainly because you are a stranger, but this kid just smiled so beautifully, it melted my heart.
Portrait of a Homeless Man
E-5 and 50mm F2
Pertama Complex, KL
When I came across this homeless man, I felt that he was safe to approach. I moved in closer to him, smiled, and then he smiled back. I guess somehow my body language shows that I mean no harm, and just wanted to capture a photograph of him. I went in, made my shot happen, and to my surprise, he gave me one of the most natural poses, without the uncomfortable or "WTF" look most homeless people would give you if you do not rub them at the right places. The direct gaze into the camera works for this shot.
Squat, Sit, Walk
E-5 and 11-22mm
Chow Kit
Sometimes, luck plays an important role in having good shots. I was fortunate to see this opportunity, and waited briefly as the man on the right walked into the frame.
Friendliness
E-PL1 and kit lens
Petaling Street
Most people on the streets are friendly, provided that you approach them with the right manner and attitude, and do not appear like you want to snatch something from them or take advantage of their situation. Having PEN camera is one huge advantage, you look pretty much harmless and less intimidating. Making that "friendly" connection is not an easy thing for most new street photographers.
Mothers desperation
E-5 and 50mm F2
Chow Kit
I am attracted to heart wrenching scenes as I walked the streets. Usually, I would not let this slip by. However, I know direct approach would not work, because I would be taking advantage of their misery, and that would not end well if I attack front on. Shooting stealthily from a distance is an answer for this. Alternatively there is the hip-shot method, but I wanted to show them in their environment as well. Sometimes, it is best not to get in too close, for your own safety sake, and to improve the overall presentation of your image.
Generation Gap
E-5 and 50mm F2
Chow Kit
I saw the old man in the background, and waited for the kid who were playing nearby to enter the frame. Too bad the kid noticed me shooting them, I intended this to be a natural "unposed" shot. Nonetheless, I do think that the younger kid hiding at the back adds mystery to the shot.
Big man, Small bike
E-5 and 50mm F2
Chow Kit
I thought that the bikes size seemed disproportionate to the man.
Freedom
E-PL1 and Kit Lens
Chow Kit
E-PL1 has issues focusing on moving subjects, especially kids running. Nonetheless, what I wanted to show was the expression on their faces, and it reminded me of myself long, long time ago when life is void of dramas and traumas.
Pasar Malam Vendors
E-5 and 50mm F2
Jalan Masjid India
Waiting for their stalls to operate in the afternoon. Wnat I loved in this shot is the natural expression on their faces. They were aware of my presence and me shooting them, but they did not care at all.
Sudden Movement
E-5 and 50mm F2
Chow Kit
The sleeping homeless was lying motionless, but suddenly made some very abrupt violent shaking and body movements, as he jerked his hands and swing his head. The passer-by must have been shocked.
Paper thin
E-PL1 and 20mm F1.7
Pudu
Homeless man sleeping at the five foot way. Some street photographers advise strongly against shooting homeless man, or people sleeping. I see no wrong in doing either of them. If I find the scene worth shooting, why not? They represent the truth on the streets, and as much as we choose to ignore such scenes, they are out there, and the pain will not go away.
Boxed In
E-PL1 and Kit Lens
Chow Kit
Sometimes, interesting things just happened right in front of you. All you have to do it snap !
Babies
E-PL1 and Kit Lens
Chow Kit
The housewives taking care of the young, as the husbands earn a living at the nearby wet market. Scenes like these moved me, because I personally feel the kids should be taken care of in a proper house, not in the back-alley of dirty market and shops.
Be Yourself
E-PL1 and Kit Lens
Chow Kit
I love photographing kids. As the parents were busy working (market of shops) the kids were left to play on their own. Such care-free nature of the young and innocent.
I am a learning photographer, I have only started being serious on the streets about a year ago. There is still so much for me to explore, and improve on. If you have anything constructive to add on, please do so. I admit there are many flaws in the photographs, but hey, only through making mistakes can we truly learn and move on, right? The biggest mistake that any photographer will make is trying to chase perfection. Sometimes, it is the imperfection that defines who you are, sets your photography style apart from the others, and gives you a distinctive identity. I dont want to be known as the perfect photographer. Instead, I would want to be remembered as me, being just me, who I really am. That should do just fine.
Nothing stays constant.
Perhaps a year or two from now, those set of photographs in this entry will likely cease to be my favourites, as better and newer images were created in my future shutter therapy sessions. Would this mean that those images will bear no significance or meaning in the future? No, they would still hold importance, as an important page in my history that I can come back and remind myself of where I was, and why I fell so crazily in love with photography. If I ever lose myself, this would be just the right place to look back and rediscover myself, because as of now, I could not have been happier with my pace in photography. The passion, the love and the desire to shoot are growing stronger, and I just cant wait to push it further.
I am curious where this street photography will lead me to. For now, I shall just ride the current, and not worry too much.
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