The Joy of Sharing Street Photography.
A location and an idea I recently shared with a tour group in Shibuya.
Most of my day as a street photographer is spent scouting new locations rather than shooting them. I do this not by choice but through instinct. I spend just enough time exploring an area’s potential, capturing something I am happy with, and moving on. I have many favourite spots in Tokyo. I revisit them often but never consider any particular place to be mine. If anything, they belong to the city, and I have only carefully observed their potential.
The potential is inherent in both the location and the observer. The sum of this equation is an opportunity for a great photograph. Therefore, I am only half of any given location in Tokyo. I can never claim it as mine. What I do is share this potential location with all who are interested. Some find success, some less so, and all have new experiences to draw from.
As the one who shared the great new location, I gained the experience of communicating my heart with another human. The happiness they return and the satisfaction that I lent a helping hand with their new image—an image whose quality is inconsequential. The quality will depend entirely on the previously expressed equation of the potential of both the location and the photographer. Facilitating that opportunity is a great joy to me.
Recently, I was hired to lead the Shibuya/Shinjuku portion of a Japan photo tour. I showed the participants several of my favourite spots in Shibuya and Shinjuku. Some had fancy gear, while others used their phones. I encouraged them to shoot videos as well as still photos. Everyone came away with two things: a great photo and a great experience.
Something remarkable occurred: People went off script and began working the scene I had provided them. It didn't take long for someone to find a great angle that offered something new. They immediately shared it with the group, giving us all another great photo and another great experience.
The negative side of believing that potential exists in both location and photographer is that it permits others to copy my work. Whether it be flattery or theft, I don’t mind this. I am confident in myself. I create for my internal algorithm, not the populist one. All this does is suggest my internal algorithm may align with the populist one for this particular location.
Watching someone capture a stunning image right before my eyes brings me immense happiness. Knowing that I played a small role in that makes it even more special goodness.
The result of sharing the location and the idea.
