People
Him: What are you taking a photo of?
Me: People.
Low-key I get this sounds kind of creepy. LOL With today's climate and culture, I am also cognizant of people not liking their picture taken or recorded. This makes me think about street photography as an art form. In my eyes, street photography is about the moment, the feeling, when things line up just right and you aim to capture the essence of that moment. In some street photography, you see people and I question how many of those people are aware their photo is being taken.
I think I gravitate towards "street photography" or rather simple moments that I find beauty in. Small unassuming moments. I enjoy grand picturesque photos/moments. Deep down, I value the more intimate moments. In the above photo, one can see that it's people going on a walk. For me, it's a little more than that. It's two people sharing a moment in time enjoying the scenery, each other's company with the back drop of nature.
He asked me why buy a camera. I was taken back because I never really thought about it. I appreciate the question because it made me reflect on my why. Turns out a part of my reason why was a bit deeper than I realized. Wanting to connect to a passion my father enjoyed - someone I have a complicated dynamic with. To see what he saw - why he enjoyed or rather chose this over family and I can see why. I'm not saying it's right, but I can see why. Mix with a previous connection who showed me a different way to looking at photography and my own personal preference for the color science of my Fujifilm is why I bought one. Life is art. And people can lose themselves in art - being in their own world instead of being in the world with everyone else. I, myself can lose myself in it, and perhaps because I know this, I also choose not to get so lost in it because I want to be present for the people I love and care about even if it's something I struggle with.
There is something so tragically beautiful about life. Death. Rebirth. I used to desire for someone to understand the depth of who I am. I think that desire has shifted. I think it's more so about me choosing day by day to understand the depth and complexity of who I am against the back drop of family, friends and people. Maybe that's why I like street photography that involves people - you know never know what the person is experiencing. The mystery of people is intriguing. Perhaps my work is to experience myself as one of those mysteries. Discovering the parts of me that I am uncomfortable with and find them intriguing - not so that I can be loved by others or myself - more so to just be with it and not have any destination. Being in the pause, the moment - no grand epiphany - just the everyday mundane.













