2012: What’s Ahead
2011 was the year I carried my camera almost everywhere, the year the camera became an extension of my right arm, the year I found myself on the streets over and over again, the year the streets accompanied me through my highs and lows. This post is not a personal best-of, but rather a selection of how I saw and felt about street photography in 2011. - Klara’s Street
I’m not sure how I stumbled upon this street photographer’s post, but I’m glad I did as 2011 winds down and I look to the year ahead.
Photography is a continuous learning process that pushes you no matter how deft you become. Art challenges us that way.
All photos posted on Street Stories & Other Stuff reflect the ebbs and flows of my yearlong journey. I’ve looked to natural and studio lights for sculpting. I’ve explored the monochromatic realm, often venturing into cyan and sepia split tones just for the sake of seeing how those editing choices would affect my images. I’ve toyed with toy camera presets - no pun intended. That’s the thing I love about digital, generally speaking, it’s less costly to experiment. I also, however, assessed that film photography is still far more beautiful and real than the digital behemoth it’s given birth to. It possesses a tangible process that I want to explore to get closer to my work.
I’ve learned photography is personal and democratic, and that my people skills are as invaluable on the streets as it is in professional circles.
Studio photography isn’t scary. You just have to get comfortable and embrace mistakes.
My love affair with prime lenses - namely 35 mm, 50mm, and 85mm - works for me. Primes force me out of my comfort zone. Quality glass makes a difference, but it won’t make the picture. Light and composition are key.
What will photography teach me in 2012? What will I discover? Dunno, but I’m excited about the possibilities.
