The Accidental Street Photographer

As a photographer my passion lies in the studio. I control the light, the surroundings, the setup. Basically, I’m in control of everything. That’s the way I like it. When I’m out of the studio however, I love travelling, walking, exploring and holidaying and anyone who knows me will tell you, there’s always a camera attached to the end of my arm. Since starting at Absolute earlier this year, I’ve had the time to look back and reflect on the work I’ve produced over the past couple of years and a lot of my favourite shots happened because I put myself in the right place at the right time.

Street photography is a divisive discipline in the photography world. On the one hand, there are those who think it’s the easiest style of photography to achieve, because all you need is a camera. On the other, there are those who understand that capturing a moment in the street is all about putting yourself in the right situation. Being in a place where you can be an outsider looking in. That’s what I’ve realised I love about street photography. Whilst the studio is all about crafting an image to your exacting specifications, street photography is all about seeing the world in a way that other people don’t.

Being an outsider is very important. It opens your eyes. I couldn’t be a street photographer in Manchester (where I live). I know it too well. I know where everything is and how to get there. There’s no adventure for me. My recent trips to Tuscany, Madeira, New York and even Cornwall are a different story.

When you’re in a place you don’t know, you become very attuned to what’s going on in your immediate vicinity. You don’t know where you’re going, so you pay more attention to where you are.

Here’s a selection of my favourites from those trips.