There Is a Bit of Voyeurism in Us All
Cartagena
Maybe voyeurism is too strong of a word. I just looked up the definition of voyeurism. Yes, it is definitely too strong. But we do all like to peek in on little moments in the lives of others. Taking street photographs through windows or other things can be the basis of a nice collection that you create over time. I call my collection, “Looking In.”
Photo by Chris Schneider. Used with permission. You can see Chris’ gallery on Instagram at @krys_znydar.
One big plus of this kind of street photography is that looking through something, especially a window, creates a physical and psychological barrier. If you are a shy or reluctant street photographer, it is a comparatively safe way to take a picture of a stranger without an interaction. It is super easy if you are inside taking the picture of the outside. No one will notice you sitting in a restaurant at a table by a window taking pictures out into the street. It is a bit more challenging if you are in the outside shooting in. I will say that I have passed up some great “looking in” photos because I could not bring myself to be so obviously intrusive.
Photo by Linda Buchanan. Used with permission. You can see Linda’s gallery on Instagram at @lindab.moments. In this case, I think it is safe to say that he noticed!
There are a lot of opportunities to shoot through things. The most obvious ones are windows in buildings, but also in cars and other modes of public transportation. There does not have to be glass to get the effect. Looking through doors or tunnels can also give us the experience of looking in.
NYC Subway
A plus to taking “looking in” shots is that you often get some compositional boosts. First of all, what you are looking through provides a frame for your subject. If there is signage, you get the graphic benefit of text. Sometimes the text can provide an interesting caption to the photo. If you are looking through glass, it is very likely you will get reflections, including your own, depending on where you are standing when you take the picture. Reflections can add interest through the depth of layers.
Photo by Vicki Windman. Used with permission. You can see Vicki’s gallery on Instagram at @vbarn106.
One of the strengths of street photography, in my mind, is the broad range of compositional opportunities. We can use reflections, silhouettes, shadows, motion, color, geometry and perhaps an inclination toward voyeurism to take very different types of street photos. I believe from time to time, switching up what you are photographing can add a breath of fresh air to your creative process.
“Flowers in Your Hair”
Exercise
I challenge you to look for things you can shoot through. Extra points are awarded when you find something unusual!