This is from my journal, NYC, 2016…..
“Everyday I meet the same people as I walk from the subway to my room on Second Avenue. I’m shy with the camera because I’m really only relaxed with Mother Nature as my collaborator. She’s a little bit scarce around the streets of NYC so I have to find my courage.
Each one has their story. I know that because everyday I find out a little bit more about them. Sometimes I chat, a brief line or two about the weather or the traffic. But mostly they don’t notice me, lost in their own thoughts, busy with their jobs or their own lives.
Today on the streets, I decide to see their faces as flowers. Capturing their body language and their preoccupations. Because here in NYC, what is striking me is not the big and the loud, but the quiet, self contained individuals and their daily lives. My kind of flowers.”
Street photography can be a bit of a challenge! I always recommend beginning by attending a big public event like the St. Patrick’s Day Parade or the Yes Equality Campaign. Everyone has their camera out and poised so people are less self conscious and act a bit more naturally if you point it in their face.
And while there is benefit to a longer lens, a handy iPhone shot is even more subtle and easy to achieve. Which is why everyone is now a photographer! Although I am happiest in the meadows and on the beaches of rural County Waterford, if I fancy a change from the hedgerows and hawthorn trees, it will always be the backstreets of a big beautiful city.
Good morning, Catherine, from the San Francisco Bay Area! Street photography can be very contemplative, and you have brought the nature into the starkness of the big city. If you ever choose to explore another “big city” in the US, come visit San Francisco, a very colorful city. Late April is a wonderful time for both weather and also beauty in the north part of the San Francisco Bay Area. I live in close proximity to Point Reyes National Seashore, where you can explore one of the great wonders of the world…plenty of moments to slow you down to explore the intimate details of the scenes around you. I would be happy to act as a guide, should you chose to come visit the Pacific Ocean side of our continent!
Can’t think of anything I would enjoy more Harvey, you really set the scene there!! It’s a place that featured hugely in my life when as a young kid I saw ‘”flower people” on TV. So now I have it on my bucket list and if I ever get there I will give you a buzz.
Wow! Wonderful photos, Catherine. Each tells a story and draws you into the drama. And lovely words, too!
Thank you! Well flowers are beautiful but I agree, I think people have their own special energy as individuals which can be captivating…..
It’s always great to have both, isn’t it! Heading to the big city in a few weeks…I’ll give it your love!
Robin I always think of you when drooling over my NYC photos. Yes I love both too!! How lucky we are xx
As interesting as pictures from NY can be. And they are. It would be great to see more pictures from places in US and elsewhere that we don’t know so well. There is a phrase in US politics about states not along the coast, “the fly over states”. Photographers seem to largely ignore these.
In an Irish context, (I live there), we see endless photos of life in Dublin, a lot less of other towns. Or even of parts of Dublin not between the canals.
Hi Emmet, so true. I’m very rarely in any cities at all which in a way is a great pleasure….another thing I notice is that the bigger the city the less self conscious the people will be in front of a lens. Thanks for your thoughts.
Hi Emmet, Street photography in the US is quite a big industry, with contests and competitions in almost any big city. If you would like to locate images for the “fly-over states”, I would recommend you do an internet search for cities such as: ” street photography, Des Moines, Iowa (central US, not so big city). I am sure you can find quite a bit of city imagery for those not along the coast. Happy hunting!
Yes Harvey, even Google Images would turn up results I’d say!