“A Good Eye”
Fortunately, photography remains, and will always be, subjective. The advantage being there is no real requirement to have a trained eye.
Being self taught, as I was, enabled me to find my own way. Now yes, there is of course merit in taking on board other peoples experiences and lesson learnt along the way. But it doesn’t necessarily mean their style is the right one for you.
Your style will develop organically. You may have ideas of becoming the next big Wedding Photographer or indeed the next Street Art Journalist… but theory is always sweeter than reality.
I find it best to hone your skills and find the right environment. Only then will you begin to have an eye for what works best to tell your story.
Story Telling
Social Media became an obsession for me. The likes governed my style as I move from my established environment to one that sought photographic situations which would bare the best fruit – in the form of followers.
The problem becomes that over time, you lose focus of why you started this journey. For me, the business element took away from why i began this journey… to ponder peoples stories in a brief click of a button.
I do what I do to show emotion from subjects that are blissfully unaware I exist.
No Real Story 
A Subject & A Cause
The image on the left, of the Gentleman on the phone, doesn’t represent what I would describe as storytelling. Although it meets some of the basic fundamentals of photography, it fails to draw the audience in. There appears to be an absence of narrative. It simply looks like a photograph of a stranger.
In contrast, the photograph on the right leaves you asking questions. “What are they all doing there?”, “Do they know each other?”, “Why does she look so sad?”
It is in these questions we ponder our own humanity.
These photographs were taken just moments apart. Before you commit to the image, ask yourself…. What story am I trying to tell?
Shoot And Move
Getting caught up on the composition of an image can be the undoing of a good days catch. In street photography you must remain nimble. Ready to react to a given expression or interaction.
It is in these brief moments people are removed from their inner monolog and peer their heads up to take stock of the world around them. Capturing this brief moment lends its self to some interesting insights to human behaviour.
See the situation developing, frame the image and take the shot… Move on.
There’s Always Tomorrow
Not all ventures into public spaces are eventful. Sometimes its best to know when your days is done.
On more that one occasion I’ve found myself frustrated with the handful of images i gathered – only to be pleasantly surprised with the final results post edit.
Understand your limits and know that There’s Always Tomorrow.
Editing To The Rescue!
Editing can turn a mediocre image into something quite special. With the correct tools – and a little know how – you can turn that frown upside down.
My editing software of choice, is of course, Lightroom.
There will be a full tutorial on editing, along with a follow along style video. But for now, here is a little before and after.
Rather Grey 
Black & White
If you are looking to achieve a Black & White image, it must contain black and white. All to often, “Black and White” images are in fact actually different shades of grey. Don’t be afraid to bring the highlights up and the shadows down – it really makes all the difference.
Summary
- Allow time for your style to develop organically.
- Understand in your own mind what you are trying to achieve by photographing this particular subject
- Don’t get too hung up on the technicalities of your equipment
- If today didn’t quite work out, there is always tomorrow
- If in doubt, run it through your editing software to see if the image has a hidden gem.
//VLR 
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