Shoot What You Want to Shoot

I am often asked "what do you always look for when you shoot on the street, and what should we watch out for?". Honestly, there is no straight and easy answer to that. My consistent answer has always been go and shoot what caught your attention, what spoke to you, and what attracted you. If you found something interesting enough to grab your attention, then that should be an interesting subject to photograph. 

The mistake that most people do when they shoot on the street? They read too many street photography books, read too many tips and tricks on street photography blogs or forums or listening to every rules from some street photographer gurus, and tried to emulate and produce what they thought what street photography model was. The way I see it, there should not be any model. There were great street photography work done in the past, but let's move on. Let's make even greater images. Stop referencing the past. The people, the place, the culture, the history, the time, everything is different and we should move forward. We, the new generation of street photographers should define our street photography. I am not discrediting or putting aside where street photography came from, I have deep respect for that, but are we really making our own photographs, or are we merely trying to be what they were?

So yes, I see things very differently, because I am different. I shoot differently, because I am different. I am not a great photographer, but I am happy shooting what I see, and I am glad I can share these images here. There are no secret recipe, special techniques, or tricks to get the kind of shots I am showing here. They are honest, straight to the point, no drama photographs. 

Kuala Lumpur

Market folks

Hard Work

Innocent eyes

Curious

Inside the shop

Noodles Factory

Portrait of a Stranger

Face Wrapped

Dried seafood

Do not be afraid to speak up. Do not be afraid to stay true to yourself. And most importantly, do not be afraid to shoot what you want to shoot. Do not let others tell you what you should be shooting, or how to do street photography. Read, explore, do your research, but apply and implement in your own unique way. Be yourself, and be different! And do not forget to enjoy photography while you are doing it!