Go hunting, it’s a lot more fun and good exercise.
We kinda look creepy leaning on lamp posts with our cameras ready for the next character to cross the street. I used to do this a lot. I’d stay on one corner for 30 minutes just waiting. Waiting for the special moment, that never happens.
I don’t think the photos below are horrible, but imagine looking through your archive and all your photos contain the crosswalk lines. All on the same few corners, people walking towards you.
All the photos in this post were taken on a hot summer day in Downtown Los Angeles, 2021 using Fujicolor C200 film.
These next two were taken a few minutes apart on different corners. I think these two photos stuck with me. Get off the corner, I look creepy. I’m trying to remember if I’ve been flipped off since. I don’t think so. But what a day. How rare is it to get the bird twice in one day like this.
If you think it’s rare to get the bird twice in one day, what about three? I did not tell this person to flip me off. I just had a look that day that told the masses I’m a creepy asshole.
There’s something lacking from the spontaneity of a street photo when you know the photographer has waited patiently for the right character and light in one spot. I prefer random moments. They take more time and luck, but you’re rewarded with a photo that is special and unique. Fishing photos can often be easily replicated. I do respect however, the photographers perseverance to fish. I know in the back of my head the photo was a bit staged.
We all find our way eventually, well hopefully. I could be way off on this subject. I do know if I was a fisher, I’d have 10k fewer steps each day and that is enough for me to banish it all together.
Chris Athanasiadis 