Hey peeps, wa goin’ on? I’ve recently been stepping outside my comfort zone and doing a lot more street photography. You see, I’ve always had a love-hate relationship with street photography.

On the one hand, it’s a thrilling adventure that allows for the capture of everyday moments in a creative and powerful way. On the other hand, it makes me feel like a secret agent on a mission, navigating through potentially uncomfortable situations and ethical dilemmas, never knowing when someone will yell at me – or worse!

But, let’s face it, street photography is the ultimate reality show.

It showcases the world around us in a way that’s unscripted and spontaneous, while offering a chance to document history and tell stories that would otherwise go unnoticed.

The cover image in this post is a good example of this – it’s a photograph I made some months ago while on the subway in NY. I remember sitting right across from the subject and looking at her lost in her own thoughts – I couldn’t help but wonder what she was thinking. I especially liked this scene as it made me compare her to the young man sitting right next to her who, like most young people today, had his head buried in his phone.

I found myself comparing the different generational portraits and almost lamenting the fact that, as young people, we never seem to just sit with our thoughts anymore. I so badly wanted to photograph the moment, but I didn’t want to be rude or invasive. But I made the call and, very discretely, snapped a photo. And I’m so glad that I did!

Every moment on the street is different and that’s what makes it so exciting. The anticipation of what’s around the corner can turn a boring walk into a thrilling adventure – and can actually make me want to walk instead of taking a taxi or a bus or train. However, that same unpredictability can also make it a scary experience.

I personally find that I much prefer a lens with a longer focal length, just so I don’t have to get too close to my subjects. But depending on your style, you just might need to get close, which can result in awkward confrontations or rejection. This possibility has held me back for so long, and I’m only now learning (ever so slowly) to overcome it.

And then there’s the ethics of it all, which can be as complex as it is subjective. As it often involves taking pictures of people in public places without their explicit consent, some argue that it is an important form of artistic expression, while others believe it can be intrusive and disrespectful.

Whether it’s ‘right’ or ‘wrong’, I think a lot of heartaches can be avoided by following one simple rule: just don’t be an asshole. Be respectful, and considerate. I also believe that we should respect the privacy of our subjects and avoid photographing people in compromising or sensitive situations.

We should also obviously choose to avoid taking photographs in areas where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as restrooms or changing rooms.

Despite the challenges, street photography is a fascinating and rewarding art form.

It pushes me to be creative, spontaneous, and empathetic, and provides a window into the world that I wouldn’t get otherwise. It forces me to slow down. To look, and to really see. And the more I do that, the more I see the humanity in my subjects and I become more aware that we all have a story to tell – and that we’re all just stumbling through this thing we call life, trying to do the best that we can.

Whether it’s capturing fleeting moments of beauty or exposing social issues, street photography has the power to inspire and impact. And the more I practice, the more confident I become, making me more relaxed and allowing me to capture better photographs. So here’s to a future full of street photography adventures!

How about you? What are your views on street photography? Does it still have a place in today’s world? And what about the ethics of it all? I’d love to continue the conversation down in the comments section.

Until next time.

Damio