Photo Corners headlinesarchivemikepasini.com
A S C R A P B O O K O F S O L U T I O N S F O R T H E P H O T O G R A P H E R
Enhancing the enjoyment of taking pictures with news that matters, features that entertain and images that delight. Published frequently.
Matinee: 'An Introverted Street Photographer'
18 September 2021
Saturday matinees long ago let us escape from the ordinary world to the island of the Swiss Family Robinson or the mutinous decks of the Bounty. Why not, we thought, escape the usual fare here with Saturday matinees of our favorite photography films?
So we're pleased to present the 414th in our series of Saturday matinees today: An Introverted Street Photographer.
In this 13:21 video, Ivan Chow explores the ways an introverted person can bring a unique perspective to street photography.
After a brief introduction, Chow tackles the subject in five segments. Each segment begins with a statement about introverts which Chow then plumbs, showing how that particularly dynamic works for his street photography.
Here's the list:
- Introverts are highly observant.
- Introverts are self-aware.
- Introverts are afraid of confrontation.
- Introverts need more time to recharge.
- Introverts are independent.
Even it you are one of those photographers who enjoys the spotlight, Chow gives some pretty solid advice on how to behave behind a camera if you want to come home with some memorable street photographs.
But what really appealed to us about this discussion was how one person made a discipline his own. That's the really creative part of this video, although the production values are high from the writing to the cinematography.
People with cameras (and other weapons of art) often wonder how to develop their own "style." They spend hours imitating others or, in the case of photographers, doodling with presets and effects they find attractive.
That may be basic training but it isn't creative. In fact, it's a bit backward.
Chow found he was drawn to street photography even though he is inward directed rather than outgoing, to use other words to describe it. So he worked at it, finding a way he could enjoy doing it that took advantage of his own strengths and did not rely on how other street photographers operate.
That's the ticket.
As he says at the end of this collection of personal thoughts, you need to figure it out for yourself. To make it your own. By starting with yourself.
That's what makes it genuine.