As far as I am concern, Sesame street is the most famous street in my world. Beating other famous
streets like Champs-Elysées in Paris, Lombard Street in San Francisco, Abbey Road in the north
of London.
Its in this street as a kid that I learned many new words, numbers and values in life. Not forgetting
characters like Big Bird, Bert and Ernie, Oscar the Grouch and Grover; Super Grover! Not all of
us have the opportunity to visit all this famous street around the world; but yet I believe many of
us at some point of our lives have been to Sesame Street; via the TV or web of course. Either
as a kid or as a parent.
As a commercial photographer I find my work have become too polish. This is developed through
the years by all the requirement of the client. Everything have to look perfect and executed according
to the propose drawing board. Now I begin to realised that I have lost the most important element;
to be spontaneous and just shoot. Like in the days when I first had my 1st Nikon SLR. Days of
being wild……. LOL.
As some of you may know; June 2013 I got my first CSC camera; the Xpro1. This camera have
rekindle that feeling of old for me. Transporting myself back to where I first started photography. Its
been almost a year and the half; and I am still loving the Xpro1 more then my other X-series cameras.
Fuji have manage to put the “magic” into this camera. Its may not be perfect but it sure have some
soul. Because of this; its has this alluring appeal that I need to pick it up and shoot. Which is the
most important purpose why you purchase a camera.
So is there any similarity between Sesame Street and Street Photography? Here are a few, I hope
so…….
1. Be prepared to be surprise! Don’t we all love surprises? Knowing one camera system and be
on guard at all time will definitely help you nail that award winning picture.
2. Understand the ABCs of the environment. Take time and find a opportunity to have chat with
the locals. This will help the photographer understand and appreciate the surrounding better and
thus able to shoot with more understanding. In turn it will show up in your picture.
3. Laughter on the faces. Lossen up and look for the funny side of life. Don’t take life too seriously.
Be quirky, crazy and funny. When was the last time you shot something funny on the street?
4. Celebration of life. A new toy, an Angry Bird birthday cake, a sexy new neighbor, a reunion,
found a long lost T-shirt. Every event have something worthy to document; excluding those
who does food porn on every meal before they part take!
Having said all this; lets just keeping on shooting and hopefully you will also find a camera that
is not only close to your hands but also your heart.
