On Practice
The first time I remember hearing the joke, I was on the second floor of a block of flats in the Cairnhill area of Airdrie. A young boy, sitting warming in front of a 3-bar fire. With the smell of… Read More »On Practice
On the Street
The Importance of Anticipation
My fascination with the exceptional work of the masters of street photography tends to come not from the photographer’s technical prowess, compositional expertise, or excellence of the prints, but from their preternatural ability to find themselves in the right place,… Read More »The Importance of Anticipation
Techniques for Candid Street Photography
As a street photographer teaching high school photography, my students are often fascinated by the candid photographs of people going about their lives. Whether looking through pictures of Cartier-Bresson, Garry Winogrand, Jill Freedman, or – less exciting, I’m sure –… Read More »Techniques for Candid Street Photography
More Recommended Reading for Street Photographers
My recent compulsion to spend what little disposable income I have on photo books does not seem to be relenting. With several new additions to the library this month, I’ve been thinking more about the books I recommend to friends,… Read More »More Recommended Reading for Street Photographers
The Art of Photographing Faces
In On Reading, a concise collection of photographs by André Kertész, there is a picture made in The Bowery, New York City on December 8th, 1960. Two men stand a few feet apart, each reading a newspaper. This picture, however,… Read More »The Art of Photographing Faces
On Wearing Good Shoes
Cons. Chucks. Hi-tops. Gutties. Whatever you call them, Converse Chuck Taylors have long been my favoured flavour of footwear, beating Adidas Samba to the finish by the width of only a shoelace. While great footwear for hanging around a record… Read More »On Wearing Good Shoes
Reviewing Past Work
Nestling underneath my spasmodic impostor syndrome, I am told I have the particular affliction of being far too hard on myself. The practical upshot of this, of course, is that photographs good enough to make my edit, don’t. I see… Read More »Reviewing Past Work
Required Reading for Street Photographers
In my move from Glasgow to Warsaw, very few of my photo books survived. I sold off many at Caledonia Books on Great Western Road, in Glasgow, a combination of them being too heavy to ship, and an attractive source… Read More »Required Reading for Street Photographers
Finding The Keeper
As the 2 rolls of film just developed, hang on a clothes hanger, dripping over the bath, I take quick, rushed pictures of 3 frames at a time on my phone. Once finished, I close the door, turn off the… Read More »Finding The Keeper
Learning Lessons From My Mistakes. Part 1
Dedicate yourself for long enough to making any form of art, be it the written word, music, or photography, and through commitment, enthusiasm, and experience, the work will undoubtedly improve. With any luck, there will be fewer oversights and blunders.… Read More »Learning Lessons From My Mistakes. Part 1