“I do not try to find myself in what I “shoot,” but perhaps I want to see the position of the world I am in.”
Daido Moriyama
I’ve always been a nosy person. Being in the business of strangers and strange moments has been passed down from generation to generation in my family. We are genuinely interested in the lives of others because we learn from their passing moments. Human beings are fickle, impatient, and unaware of themselves most days. But all of that is flipped on it’s head when we observe other human beings.
From my eyes to their lives I see what they miss, I see what they need to see but don’t make the time to acknowledge. Honestly, how often do we bypass the lessons of the journey and settle for the predictable lessons of the destination? If you know how to look, people will not only surprise you they will teach you.
Welcome to the lessons of strangers. Let their moments teach you, like your moments teach them.
Hm...
No person in sight,
Yet!
There is a lesson to be learned here.
I don't know what that lesson would be. Yet.
So let’s keep walking through life. What do you think we’re going to capture today?
Ya know,
street photography has a way of making people uncomfortable in the best ways. You have to be respectful of the space you inhabit, but you can’t be afraid of finding the right perspective. People become apprehensive when they see you with a camera in hand.
So maybe to circumvent an issue you don’t want to happen, you might try this method.
Photograph your subjects from a distance.
Would you consider this a success? I would. But it’s only temporary. This may serve the current purpose of taking a photo, not starting “trouble” (a subjective word for subjective situations), and not wasting an opportunity.
Is this enough?
Let’s keep going.
Ah! We are getting closer!
People continue to be the most interesting subject at the moment.
Let’s keep going.
This is why I love people!
They are so nice.
Who knew this perfect gentleman would wave at me?
Let's keep going
I think I can start to get a little closer...
Just a little closer so I can fully see the expression on people's faces.
Hm,
Too close.
In moments like these when people humble you and teach you a lesson in respect you need to take a step back and remember what it is to set boundaries.
As I commuted home I looked for lessons from a respectable distance.
In a place like New York City, you are never disappointed or without a lesson to learn.
Boundaries created. Respect is respected.
I am continuing to do work that I enjoy in the City that helped raise me.
Follow along with me as I take these moments of honesty and insert them into apple and birds.
Two important parts of the City. (COMING SOON!)