Capturing the Uncommon: A Glimpse into My Early Street Photography in Hong Kong

Welcome to Street Photography Academy! Today, I want to share with you one of the first photographs I took in Hong Kong back in 2013. At that time, I wasn't entirely sure what street photography was, but I already had a penchant for shooting up close. Perhaps being provocative and capturing people from a close distance is in my blood. However, I was also selective; I didn't shoot everyone, only those who, for some reason, caught my attention. Like in this case, the young woman who had her mobile phone under her veil.

Capturing the Uncommon: A Glimpse into My Early Street Photography in Hong Kong

In this photo, you can see a young woman holding her mobile phone beneath her veil. The veil, known as a "hijab," is a typical attire for women from Indonesia. What caught my attention was how she used the hijab almost like a hands-free device, allowing her to keep her hands free while she talked. This functionality struck me as an unusual, yet practical, use of the hijab.

Is This a Good Moment to Photograph?

The photograph itself is not bad, though it's not the best in the world either. However, it captures a unique, non-ordinary moment that makes it a good subject for street photography. Even though there are more people in the frame, this image can still be considered as having a single point of interest. The other people waiting to cross the street don't draw the viewer's attention. In fact, when we visually scan this photograph, we almost don't notice their presence at all.

Analysis and Interpretation of the Photograph

Upon closer inspection, the young woman in the foreground with her hijab and mobile phone becomes the focal point of the image. Her direct and serious gaze at the camera adds a layer of tension and interest. It's as if she is surprised or perhaps irritated by being photographed. This type of reaction is common in street photography and adds authenticity to the scene.

The use of the hijab as a support for the mobile phone is a fascinating detail that reveals adaptability and creativity in everyday situations. This small gesture transforms the ordinary into something worthy of documentation, showing how people find practical solutions in their daily lives.

In contrast, the other people in the image are absorbed in their own worlds, waiting to cross the street, which further emphasizes the isolation of the protagonist despite being in a busy urban setting. This contrast between the action in the foreground and the passivity in the background creates an interesting visual narrative.

Photographing a Single Person in Street Photography

Capturing a single person on the street is perfectly fine in street photography, but we must be careful. We shouldn't photograph a woman just because she is a woman, or a man just because he is a man. The photo must convey something. There has to be something that catches the viewer's attention—a gesture, an emotion, a moment. Something! Otherwise, the photo will be so basic that anyone could take it, and as photographers, we need to be different in how we capture our images.

Thank you very much for reading this entry. I hope you enjoyed it. Let me know what you think.

Miguelitor