My photographs and texts are the products of my life, that is, my everyday emotions, experiences, successes, disappointments, difficulties, fears, longings, hopes, and daydreamings.
I love life with all its positive and negative scope and aspects. Many people would say that my pictures are miserable. Perhaps they would add that the photographer who took these images must be sad. They would be correct, but only partially. Undoubtedly, sometimes, when I do street photography, I have a lousy mood. I am only a human. It is impossible to have a tremendous mood all the time. We all have changes in the mood. That’s why I sometimes take “sad” pictures that reflect my lousy mood. I cannot deny it. Still, I had many walks while doing street photography when I felt endorphins buzzing in my blood. I was simply happy. It is a moment when I do not take “sad” pictures. They may seem depressed mainly because I developed them into black-and-white images in the Lightroom software.
Undoubtedly, what I try to present in my photos is the mundane reality most of us see during most days in our lives.
Of course, a mix of my emotions can always be spotted there. I suppose many of you would say that the photographer takes pictures of what he/she wants to see. I would agree with them, as I find joy and inspiration in capturing and sharing these everyday emotions. I do not aim to seek people in my photographs. Why? Does that mean I am afraid of people? No, in the city center, no one will ever notice you take pictures of them. In the suburbs, the situation is the opposite. If you take photos of a stranger, there is a high risk he will notice it. Still, I am not afraid of people. I do not want to take pictures of strangers because classic street photography is full of such pictures.
When I saw LensCulture’s submissions for their Street Photography Contest, I realized that my approach to street photography is different.
I do not seek catchy, full-of-color, and people-filled pictures. I want to present mundane reality as it is. My work is undoubtedly a result of my everyday emotions. Even when I sometimes take a photo of a stranger, I want to reassure you, my Dear Friend, that I respect the privacy of the individuals I photograph. My intention is to capture the essence of the environment, not invade personal space.
