A really quick blog post, I hear you, a huge relief to us all. Everything here from my last couple of sessions:
Meanwhile in France, home of Henri Cartier-Bresson, “Images à la sauvette” was the original title of the celebrated photography book by the aforementioned HCB. A literal translation to English as photos on the run or on the go. I only know this after a conversation with my friend who is crucially French and photographer Jeff Chane-Mouye. He should know if anyone does and added that it can also mean to act quickly. We were discussing this because Jeff mentioned it in his part of our blogpost collaboration ‘What Makes A Good Photograph?”. For American or English readers HCB’s book became “The Decisive Moment”. I prefer the original title, it perfectly describes what we’re trying to do with photography on the streets.
After all, isn’t every moment decisive and each second potentially momentous. When we’re on the street, we’re looking for candid moments. That is the challenge, the difficulty, it’s what keeps us going back. Those photos are not planned, posed or collaborations with the subject. If they are any of those that’s absolutely fantastic, but possibly something other than Cartier-Bresson’s vision. Street/candid/documentary photographers are on the run or that’s at least my take on it and what I find fascinating. Acting quickly, reacting spontaneously. A scene catches our eye as we pass, the frame is formed, we release the shutter and walk on looking for the next shot. Incidentally, someone who wasn’t at all keen on the term ‘Street Photographer’ was the man himself, Mr. Garry Winogrand. He felt it necessary to clarify that his book “The Animals” didn’t make him an animal or zoo photographer. He was, as he insisted, simply a photographer.
Working fast is something I’ve always done, ask any ex of mine because there’s a “grim regiment” (P G Wodehouse) for you to choose from. On the surface it might seem lazy, but I do get the results I’m looking for. We’ve moved on, we’re back to photography by the way, get your mind out of the sewer. It’s simply me seeing something and deciding that’ll do (tut tut, still on photography, not my selection process). When I get asked to photograph people, a two hour session is usually on their mind (still on photography). I don’t want to be a ‘Sales Prevention Officer’, we all need the money, but I’m thinking one hour is almost too long. Often I’ve got my shot within five minutes once the actual photography begins. Yes, have a chat initially, relax your client and then crack on. Okay it’s not every time, but I’m regularly surprised when I look through the shoot results at how quickly I got the shot. The same when I’m on the street, it doesn’t have be hours and hours walking around.
I know what you’re thinking: You might have carried on a bit longer after that shot and it’s difficult to argue with. Except on that day I was thinking of hands and ten minutes into my session I got them. Sometimes it’s as though you’re manifesting this stuff. Usually when I go out there’s one type of photo I’m aiming for. Light, layers, gestures, narrative, a look and so forth. It prevents my mind getting clogged, I have focus. Clearly the hope is that the all elements come together in one photograph, one day maybe. In the meantime we keep running, keep snapping…
For interest the lady in the opener is also in the very last shot (two separate days), isn’t she wonderful, fabulous style.
