Using Inspiration from Photography Giants

In 2024 I was lucky enough to be on a family trip to India to stay with my wife’s uncle in Delhi, India. This was the first time I had the opportunity to shoot street outside of Australia after starting street photography five years ago. My inspiration behind the brief that I had set myself was inspired by photography giants, Alex Webb and Harry Gruyaert. When I am out shooting, I like to set myself a photographic assignment as if I was being paid by someone to get a job done. I know this is not true, and I am actually just making images because I love it but committing to this idea and believing it gives me a solid intention. I am 100% involved in the activity and my senses are heightened. We were there with our children, so I had little time in between family commitments to start sessions of street. I used this opportunity to practice everything I love about Alex Webb and Harry Gruyaert’s work. Layering, complex compositions, vibrant use of colour and ability to capture the complexity of human emotions in images. The image above that I took in Ahmedabad is a study in layering. Subjects in foreground, midground and background with a connecting use of primary and secondary colours evenly spaced and lit. This was shot midday which creates the harsh, deep shadows.

This was shot also in Ahmedabad at a funeral that was happening in a Mosque. I used a 28mm lens converter on a Fuji X100V. I used this camera set up for the entire trip. I did a workshop with Julia Coddington where she taught me about getting incredibly close to subjects in an effort to fit more in the frame and create an impactful image.

In this image, like the first one, I use the hand and the bike as the main design shape in the foreground. The stripes on the arm connect with the striped shirt in the background. The lines of the doorway frame the subjects and keep your eye in the picture. Three subjects are looking directly at the viewer which is compelling. I shot multiple times here. I will stay in a scene as long as possible to make sure I get some images that are successful as these moments never happen again.

The only thing I would like to add in this image is if the mirror of the bike was tilted down and had someone’s face in it. This is what we need to see, the possibility of that extra something that adds another level to the story. This is what Alex Webb and Harry Gruyaert seem to do so well. Having said this, it is still very important to be happy and grateful for what we do achieve, and at the same time push for the best version of ourselves.

In this case, the hero of the image is the person in the mural shooting back at us with a camera. This also reminds us that we too are the hero. I started shooting close to the subjects and then stepped back to give it context. Here I am attempting to use colour, composition, and the use of light. Like Alex and Harry I am trying to achieve complex layers of subjects and elements, creating a sense of depth and dynamic tension within the frame. I love it when a frame is split by a graphic element such as a lamp post. At one point the man in the rickshaw leaned out and looked at me but I couldn’t line up all the people in the frame at the same time. Again, I shot here for 30 minutes trying different ideas and watching the scene change constantly. These opportunities seem to only happen in places like India, which make it even more precious for photographers who don’t travel that much.

Harry Gruyaert, unlike many of his contemporaries, does not focus solely on the human aspect of street photography. Instead, he also pays close attention to the environment, incorporating architecture and urban landscapes into his images. This approach allows him to create a more comprehensive visual narrative of the places he visits.

In this scene, just as the monkey appeared on the wall, the man in the foreground also quickly placed himself on the right creating the finishing touch to the composition.

My mindset is wait for the photo to come to you, don’t go chasing images. This is something I learnt from listening to Joel Meyerowitz

On this trip a lot of synchronicity occurred. Magic.

I was walking around the streets of Jaipur when I noticed another photographer shooting interesting details in the surroundings. I walked up to him and introduced myself. He said hello my name is Tave Pong! I couldn’t believe it! I said, “I just bought your book!” We talked and spent some time together shooting street.

When I leave in the morning, I say to myself, something amazing is going to happen today! I always think this, and I trust in the universe. Something amazing always happens… I can’t explain why but it just works. Your attitude will drive the narrative of the day.

I also bumped into Vineet Vohra in Delhi later in the trip! I hope you enjoyed this article about shooting with something in mind that is inspiring.

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