It was almost a year ago that I began my journey into street photography which you may read about in one of my previous blogs - my-journey-into-street-photography. During that time I have devoured many photographic books, watched hundreds of hours of YouTube videos and followed many photographers on websites, Instagram and more recently, Threads. Going to photographic exhibitions has been most rewarding too.

I have joined and left a Camera club! I am a member of the Urban Photographers Club (also on Discord & Instagram) and have discovered a great community of fellow street photographers there. I am planning to go on some photowalks with them. They have a monthly book club where we discuss a book chosen by a member of the group. I have been on a couple of workshops with Gianlucca Barbazza at the Hertfordshire Photography Group where I have learnt a lot. I now spend much of my spare time taking photographs in the street. Oh, and I have also bought, sold a camera, and bought a new one!

What have I learnt in this time? (By the way, this is my hobby, I am not trying to make a living from it)

• Do your own thing and don’t concern yourself with what others think (except those you respect!) Although I have learnt that hashtags are useful to engage an audience (showing my age now!)

• Don’t worry about ‘having a style’. I actually think that some really good photographers I see seem to be ‘stuck’ with their ‘presets’ (just my opinion)

• Ask for critique on your photos in order to develop and see things from another viewpoint

• Learn as much as possible about photography and making photographs in any way you can

• Try new ways of making photos e.g. Black & White - stay curious

• Get out and practice often and don’t worry about the weather (though I don’t go out in the pouring rain, I admit)

• Don’t fret over gear, just get something that suits you and does what you want it to do (too much time and energy wasted on ‘gear’ videos)

• Learn the basics of editing. At present, I find that Photos in Mac has enough for me to start with.

• I am excited for the next year of Photography in the Street

Here are some of my photographs from this past year which have not appeared in my previous blogs.

A few photos taken in Brighton in May 2023

Taken in Welwyn Garden City - the nearest town to where I live

Scenes from Norwich earlier this year

Thanks for looking. Comments always welcome.

Pat