Intuition

photographyeducationcompositionentertainmentlife advice

Nov 15

Street photography, though it might seem simple, actually involves two different approaches. Some photographers carefully plan each shot – they choose a location, study the light, and wait for the perfect moment to create a beautiful composition. For them, patience is key. They observe, wait, and let the scene unfold naturally.

Fan Ho, a photographer and filmmaker who captured the streets of Hong Kong in the 1950s and 60s, is a good example of this style. Ho was a master of light and shadow – he often set up his shots with great precision, creating photos full of a dramatic atmosphere. His images, with their strong shapes and contrasts, weren’t accidents. Ho would spend time thinking about each shot, waiting until the light and composition worked perfectly together. His photographs show how patience and precision can create powerful images that tell stories of place and time.

On the other hand, some photographers, like Helen Levitt, use a more spontaneous approach. Levitt loved photographing life on the streets of New York, especially children playing on sidewalks and in alleyways. She worked quickly, reacting naturally to the changing scenes in front of her camera. For Levitt, photography was a way to connect with reality in a natural, instinctive way – capturing brief, lively moments that couldn’t be planned. Because of this, her photos feel fresh and real, giving viewers a sense of the mood and energy of that time and place.

Regardless of the approach – whether it’s based on patience and preparation or quick reactions – a photographer's real guide is intuition.

“...Truly good photographs are not taken with the camera. They come from inside you, your eyes, your heart, your brain, not some cold piece of equipment.” – Fan Ho

Intuition helps you be fully present, notice what others might miss, and sense the perfect moment to press the shutter and turn a scene into a unique image. For a photographer, intuition is like a compass, helping you connect more deeply with the moment, rather than just leading you to a perfect shot.

Photos: Fan HO (black&white), Hellen Levitt (colour)

PS. I feel closer to Levitt's style – spontaneous, unplanned, and reactive. Most of my photos are taken on walks, while traveling, or just when I'm somewhere interesting. Even though I don’t plan my shots, I stay aware and alert. On the pages of erykphoto.com you’ll find inspiration on how to use all your senses and let your creativity flow at any moment, in any place, without a plan or expectations.

Photos: My private photos