Learning How to Be a Photographer

Walking the fine line between imposition and anonymity is what I found to be the essence of David Snyder's advice in "Street Pictures." A photographer should be close enough to the action to capture it, yet far enough away not to affect or disturb the scene with his/her presence. As a burgeoning journalist, this theory is both the most exciting and most intimidating part of the profession.

He repeats this throughout the article, when he writes about the qualities of good photographers, and again when he writes about the methodology involved in taking good photographs. Walking instead of driving, talking to other photographers and journalists, networking, following up, and eavsdropping all suggest infiltrating the community to be photographed. He even goes so far to request the help of the community, when he writes, "I had asked him to call me, day or night, if he ever saw something he thought might make a good picture."

Nonetheless, he is careful to clarify that photographers should also blend in with the enviornment and be prepared. My personal take-away message from the piece is that perseverance and assertiveness, within reason, are essential for producing good photos. Judging from the photography, this philosophy has certainly worked for Snyder.

Andrea Stark