When I Stand Still
The World Moves By
You’re reading the 100th Living Life Photographically newsletter. Thank you for your support in reaching this milestone. I take it to heart that your time is a valued resource. Using part of that time to make LLP a part of your day is truly appreciated. The milestone was reached in ten and a half months. I hope you’ve read and enjoyed at least a few of the newsletters—especially “Ten Frames.” Onward to 200!
With many a street photographer, their natural flow is walking the streets of the city—finding the allure and creative inspirations. Current vernacular labels it as “hunting.” Like hunting for photographs. Other street photographers consider staying in one spot for their creative inspirations. Current vernacular labels it as “fishing.” Like an Angler waiting to catch fish on their line. In recent years, I’ve preferred positioning myself in one place for some time, seeing what fate has in store for a particular spot. Keeping eyes wide open to the ebb and flow. This happens when I stand still.
A few weeks ago, the words “when I stand still” appeared in my thoughts. Wondering, what should I do with these words that spontaneously impacted my soul? They felt so powerful at the time that it had to be a sign I needed to be imaginative with them—whatever that meant. This 100th newsletter is the result. Yep, the words came about after the photographs. It happens that way sometime.
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There’s sometime a tendency of impatience within our media-frenzied society. Had I been of that mindset, I’d have missed most of the situations shown here. I could have taken more time in watching puddle-jumpers, but felt that I had compiled enough to suffice. Thirteen minutes observing and photographing from this one spot. This happens when I stand still.
The lived lives of people is ever-more clear. My sensibilities of observation is more acute. I don’t have to keep anticipating the 360° around me for inspiration. It’s reduced to less than a 180° field of view. Just being concerned with what’s in front of me. Watching shapes, movement, symmetry, relationships, emotions, etc. This happens when I stand still.
A creative internalized need to stay in motion which could possibly be connected to a human safety instinct. Where being in one place for too long could put oneself in an unsafe situation. Rational thinking, not necessarily. I used to feel self conscious when photographing in one spot for too long. Mainly because I was thinking about the photographs I could be missing because I was standing still. I quickly realized that’s such an unrealistic thought to have. I’ve learned to concentrate on what’s in front of me at the moment. This happens when I stand still.
Serendipity of time as things fall into place, presenting a sequence of events we’d otherwise not observe—or be aware even happened. I’m not sure if many would have patience in passing hours of time watching and waiting, unsure if interesting aspects of life’s unscripted events would happen in front of them—let alone photograph its sequences. This happens when I stand still.
Individual photographs are the typical foundation on which street photography is considered. It’s part of the DNA. That DNA is malleable. Unrestricted. With branches flowing out in many creative directions like trees. Here, feeding a narrative by placing multiple images into a sequence. A creative branch of the genre. This happens when I stand still.
I’ve sandwiched the newsletter between two photographs taken minutes apart on the same street corner. The main difference being the direction of view. The first, watching across and down the street. This second, watching perpendicularly across the corner. Incorporating motion blur to relate them to each other. Creatively using as many tools at our disposal to engage you the viewer with what we hope are compelling visual stories.
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Til next time…
Cheers!
When you are standing still in one spot, very few people take notice of you. I find that interesting.
An excellent read to mark your 100th post. Great photos as always.