Getting high on my own supply

STREET PHOTOGRAPHY - B&W EDITION

I cannot describe the amount of dopamine my brain released when I got these scans back from the lab. These are exactly what I was hoping for and more.

Working shadows

Being inspired by high contrast that creates such an impressive dramatic effect in

Fernando Coelho

’s photography, I really wanted to try some of my own. So, walking around in good old hometown Utrecht (NL), I looked for harsh back light and the greatly defined shadows that come with it. I had tried something with back light before, in colour, but that hadn’t turned out like I’d hoped, so it was fingers crossed…

At first… I didn’t want to crop my photos because I thought it would nullify the craftsmanship of analogue and the realness of street photography. Well, that’s one belief thrown out the window because wow… I found that once cropped, some photos just really get that bit of extra drama, like the one above. Apart from cropping I am staying away from editing because I still want to figure out what effects I can create with just the film, but each to their own, of course. I think overall we shouldn’t be too dogmatic when it comes to photography, or dare I say: art.

The photo above, made of an alley, was in a beautiful, but really tricky back light situation. I could barely even see what I was doing, I just kept in mind to aim above the light meter, and the result turned out better than I could’ve hoped for! I love that some friends to whom I showed this picture immediately recognised the alley in which this is taken. It inspires me to make a little zine with some images that are recognisable for Utrecht residents, in homage to the city and it’s people.

Power couples

Carefully planned vs. happy little accidents

There’s moments in which I deliberately create a composition with different elements in the setting. When I feel enough mental space to do so, that is. As I was standing on the side of a road, the verge raising up towards it, created a bit of a barrier between me and passersby making me less notable, yet not entirely invisible, which was perfect. I wanted to do something with the flowers in combination with people coming by. Hovering over the scene for a bit made me realise the shadow of the tree on the house which I thought could be a nice addition. At first, when seeing the results, I thought I liked the one with the guy running the best. But now I look at it again, the woman on the bike and the shadow of the tree on the house behind her form the more balanced composition. Apart from that it’s just unmistakably spring in the Netherlands.

As opposed to the photos that come out exactly as planned, of course, there’s the occasional ‘fuck-up’, however when it comes to unexpected double exposures; I never not like them. They illustrate the unexpectedness of working with film and teach me how beautiful life is without exerting too much control.

Today’s learnings:

• If you want to crop, CROP!

• Once again: embrace the element of surprise!

• I really really really love b&w street photography!

Love and thanks again for reading

- SW.

---