To know ahead of time what you’re looking for means you’re then only photographing your own preconceptions, which is very limiting, and often false.”

— Dorothea Lange

🤔 I had a conversation with a photo journalist about a year ago, in an attempt to start a photojournalism career. He told me that my work wasn’t planned enough. He also told me that the best photo journalist always planned way ahead of time. I had an opportunity to start work as a photojournalist in that vein, but I decided against it. (I don’t care about fake like that)

As an artist, as a streetphotographer, I have to have spontaneity. The candid nature of my work is what gives it it’s flare, I believe. Perhaps, that’s why I’m drawn to street photography so much. There is a certain Joy in knowing that I may come home without something. There is joy in searching. Joy in looking for the correct scene. Perhaps I’m meant to be the artist, and photojournalism is beyond me. Which is fine, I enjoy finding beauty in the mundane.

Perhaps it was silly of me to not engage with that photo journalist. Perhaps I should have moved in the direction. I admire the beautiful work of some of the more documentary focused photographers that I follow online .

Ultimately, however, I had to go with my gut. In this instance my gut told me that the regimented understanding of photojournalism that others may have used to jump start their careers was not for me.

I would love to know what you think. Do you overthink and analyze prior to shooting street work? Or am I just overthinking this entire concept? 

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