Shooting For Eye Contact In Shibuya

Jan 31

Shibuya Eye Contact with salary man — **Shibuya Eye Contact**

Eye contact is paramount. It resonates with everyone; it doesn’t matter if you enjoy street photography or any other type of photography—we all grasp the impact of eye contact. Why is it so hard to capture it? For me, it is fear.

For me, it is fear.

Fear of the unknown, to be more specific. How will they react to having their picture taken? When I show them, how will they respond to my rendering? All these thoughts, along with the calculations, mathematical and creative to take photographs, plow through my mind instantly—the click of the shutter button is merely the result of all that grey matter processing. If the math is correct, the sum will be a good image.

Shibuya eye contact from tourist at vending machine — **Shibuya Eye Contact**

If the math is inaccurate, the outcome will reflect poorly. One must summon the courage to try again, reprocess calculations, fear, and anxiety, all in an instant, prepared for the next moment. Is this too much to overcome for an image?

Is this too much to overcome for an image?

Yes, it is. There must be an easier way, but I have yet to find it. For me, the fear is there with each click. I can see it in the final image. I am part of the scene. I wonder what will happen when I overcome the fear; how will people respond to me taking their pictures then? What new anxiety will I need to overcome?

Shibuya Eye Contact from young woman. — **Shibuya Eye Contact**

What new anxiety will I need to overcome?

I don't know. I've come to realize that the streets are where I belong and where I feel most at ease in life. If that comfort means a continual struggle with fear, then so be it. It’s worth it to me, despite the difficulty of pressing the shutter release button each time; the chance to create makes it worthwhile.

If acknowledged, fear can be a great motivator. Just as effortlessly, it can overwhelm us into mediocrity. I love that fear is never too far off.