If you closely examine the works of photography masters, you’ll see that they all have a distinct style. It’s what makes their worldview unique, and their work stand out from other photographers. But when you’re new to street photography and still “feeling” your way around, the journey to finding your own photography style can be frustrating. For that, we have some insights from Faizal Westcott to help you get into a better mindset.
“How does one find a particular style when they are interested in photographing so many different things?” Westcott asked in the video above. This is an interesting introspection since it’s a common scenario for most photographers, especially those who are just starting out. It’s easy to feel the need to point the camera at anything and everything potentially interesting when you’re still at the discovery stage.
In the realm of street photography, Westcott narrowed it down to two common styles: the candid and documentary approach and the abstract, more aesthetic and fine art approach. As he enjoys both approaches, he often felt that he was stuck in the middle. To add to that, he also found himself in thinking that he couldn’t shoot or share work that was different from what he already shared in the past, wary of what his audience may think.
Amidst all the internal struggles and realizations, there was one thing that helped move Westcott towards a more positive and productive mindset. “I’m not stuck in the middle — I’m in the middle because that’s where I’m at in my journey.” Any creative pursuit is a lifelong, ever-evolving pursuit for the passionate photographer (or any artist for that matter). So, if you’re just starting out, don’t feel discouraged; you don’t need to have everything figured out right away.
Do you have any insights to add to what Faizal Westcott shared? Drop them in the comments below; let’s help our photographers feel more inspired and empowered to continue their street photography journey!
