I start by choosing a scene that feels honest. Whether the street is calm or chaotic, I look for a hint of history, a lived in detail. If it doesn’t connect, I don’t press the shutter.
This wasn’t always the case. I used to take lots of photos, hoping some would turn out okay. I’ve become more selective now. Instead of shooting everything, I decide in the moment whether the scene is worth capturing.
I think in layers: background, foreground, and sometimes a middle ground. The subject is often a person or something that connects with the scene. For me, the background is as important as the foreground. It is often the layer of history that I am drawn to and it holds the mood while the moment unfolds in front of it.
Looking ahead, I am leaning toward minimalism. My next challenge is to explore that style with fewer elements and more intentional empty or negative space in each frame. It’s a new approach I look forward to learning.
