Street Photography

   One of my favorite down-time activities is street photography/people watching. The look and feel of a photo when we are doing everyday things to me is more real than the cheesy smile or wrinkled up nose of the person posing for a photo. There is a natural draw for me to the face we wear all the time instead of the one we possess when we know there is a camera pointing our direction. In short, street photography is about capturing life as it happens, unscripted.

   I was taking a break during a recent NYC trip where I was engaged in a series of street photographs when I saw this lady admiring her boots. Without a second hesitation, I raised my camera and took the shot. It wasn't until after I had downloaded the photograph that I noticed the reflection of the Times Square, lighted billboards in the glass. The composition was fantastic, and I couldn't have posed her any better if I had coached her. Street photography is as much about the moment as it is the surrounding, and this was a beautiful shot! This type of photography should always tell a story in as few images as possible. I got lucky with this shot, but I get better with every shoot as I learn from my successes and failures.