ISO 400 f/2.8 1/500 sec

Getting In Close

Getting close makes a good street photograph.

People talk about the “decisive moment.” Sounds nice, but to me, it’s more about luck. Decisive isn’t the right word. Reaction is better.

You get lucky, and you react fast. That’s how you win. Like in this photo. I saw the group of workers. Hi-vis vests glowing in the gloom.

I thought there might be a photo there. So I got ready. They were deep in conversation. Good. Less likely to notice me as I moved closer.

Then came luck.

The nearest guy turned and looked down the road. At the same time, another one got animated. Arms up, explaining something. The rest of them tuned in, heads tilted, listening.

Then came reaction.

I hit the shutter. Caught it all. Better than I’d hoped. That’s how it happens sometimes.

You could call it a decisive moment, but it starts with noticing. I saw the group. I watched. I waited. Then luck showed up, and I reacted fast enough to catch it. It’s a split-second thing, but it’s the noticing that matters most.

If I wasn’t looking for it, the photo wouldn’t exist.

And yeah, I waited until I was close enough. It reminded me of Robert Capa’s line:

“If your pictures aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough.”