ASSIGNMENT 25

Go Fishing

ASSIGNMENT

One of the most common ways to approach street photography is to find a perfect backdrop and wait for a good subject to enter the frame. This is referred to as the “fishing” approach. It doesn’t require much walking, but rather a great deal of patience. The background can be a variety of things, such as a textured wall, a storefront, a symmetrical structure, a historical landmark, or a reflective surface.

TECHNIQUE

Once you find the backdrop, start practicing with anyone who walks by. This will help you find the proper camera settings. You should also decide if it’s best to get a horizontal or vertical shot. A practice run will also determine your ideal position if you are using a prime lens, or your ideal focal length if you’re using a zoom. Once you are “technically ready,” patience and discernment are going to make or break the result. Always visualize the best possible subject. It is important not to settle just because you are tired of waiting. “Good enough” should not be part of your vocabulary as a photographer.

Business Casual / Paris, 2017

When I saw these glass panels at La Défense, the modern business district of Paris, I immediately visualized a business person. A few tourists walked by, which helped me time the shot and position myself in the right spot. My goal was to wait for a local who obviously worked there. Luckily for me, it only took a few minutes.

Fujifilm X100T, 23mm, f/5.6, 1/120 sec., ISO 200

The Subway Embrace / NYC, 2017

Patience gave me the gift of pure emotion on the streets.

Fujifilm X100F, 23mm, f/3.2, 1/125 sec., ISO 640