Yo,
Ever looked at a photograph and felt it was more than just an image—a story frozen in time? That’s the magic of street photography, and today, I’m breaking down insights that’ll transform how you see the world through your lens.
The Art of Seeing: More Than Just Taking Pictures
Recently, I dove deep into the creative process of Eduardo Ortiz, an award-winning street photographer who doesn’t just capture images—he captures life’s raw complexity. Here are the game-changing lessons I learned:
1. Backgrounds Are Your Silent Storytellers
Most photographers don’t give the backgrounds much thought… (I for sure did, before).
But Ortiz teaches us that backgrounds aren’t just spaces—they’re narrative partners.
- Ask Yourself: Does your background enhance or distract from your subject?
- Pro Tip: Before clicking, pause and examine what’s behind your subject. A cluttered background fragments your story, while a thoughtful background amplifies your message.Photo By Eduardo Ortiz
2. Learn Composition Through Unexpected Classrooms
Your composition skills can dramatically improve by watching movies, since I’m not much of a movie guy, here are some series I recommend:
- “Mr. Ripley” (stunning black and white visuals that’ll blow your mind)
- “Breaking Bad” (a masterclass in visual storytelling)
- “Arcane” (an animated series with mind-blowing visual depth)
Movies and series gives you time to appreciate how masters compose scenes—which we rarely get in the busy streets.
3. Layers: Revealing Life’s Complexity
Photo By Eduardo Ortiz
“The world for me is complex, it’s not just one layer,” says Ortiz.
Key insights on layering:
- Layers aren’t about cluttering your frame
- They’re about building relationships between subjects
- Move around, find depth, create visual narratives
4. The Photographer’s Mentality: Confidence is Key
Here’s the most profound lesson: Your mindset matters more than any piece of gear.
Ortiz’s mantra: “I’m not doing anything wrong, so why should I hide?”
This sounds simple, but it’s something I’ve wrestled with. Watching him shoot with complete confidence was a very refreshing, and I hope I can develop this kind of mindset with time because street photography requires:
- Believing in your right to document moments
- Approaching scenes with radical openness
- Understanding you’re preserving cultural memories
5. The Power of Inspired Copying
Creativity doesn’t happen in a vacuum. So don’t be afraid of copying / drawing inspiration from others:
- Studying photographers you admire
- Analyzing their techniques
- Using inspiration as a learning tool
Photographers to Explore
- Eduardo Ortiz
- Henri Cartier-Bresson
- Saul Leiter
Your Next Steps
- Start paying attention to backgrounds
- Watch a movie (or series) with a photographer’s eye
- Practice adding layers to your photographs
- Challenge your mental barriers
- Find photographers who inspire you
Final Thought
Every photograph is a story waiting to be told. Your unique perspective? That’s your superpower.
“To study others is a sure way to accelerate your growth.”
Happy Creating, Dines
P.S. Fired up? Check out the original video by Tim Jamieson following Eduardo Ortiz in Istanbul. [Insert Video Link]
Check out Eduardos IG: here