Anything that we do in life must have a purpose. If you want to go to somewhere, you must planned your trip so that you can reach your destination safely. If you want to be successful in life, you must have done something and planned something so that you can reach your goal.
Same goes with Street Photography. Either a short-term achievement, or a long-term achievement – you must have something in your mind that you want to achieve, something that can drive you towards that purpose.
Same goes with Street Photography. Either a short-term achievement, or a long-term achievement – you must have something in your mind that you want to achieve, something that can drive you towards that purpose.
My objectives
Personally, I don’t have a short-term goal for this genre. My objective is to make a series of pictures that can contribute to the society as a journal of picturesque history of the people in Kuala Lumpur, and anywhere in Malaysia that I’ve been to. Maybe what I’m doing now will not be appreciated by the people who live their lives in this generation. But hopefully, it will be beneficial to the people of the future.
But , what drives me to continue doing it?
But , what drives me to continue doing it?
© Hisham Ahmad, Leboh Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, 2019
There are two main factors for this:
1) It’s a weekend break for my mind
Photography is not my main source of income. Even though I’d love to do a full-time job in photography, I don’t think this type of genre would be able to sustain my personal expenses. Therefore, I’m doing this as a hobby during the weekend so that I can break away from my daily routine.
To be able to spend time on myself, walking alone for hours in the city and make pictures from a film camera – for me this is a bless.
1) It’s a weekend break for my mind
Photography is not my main source of income. Even though I’d love to do a full-time job in photography, I don’t think this type of genre would be able to sustain my personal expenses. Therefore, I’m doing this as a hobby during the weekend so that I can break away from my daily routine.
To be able to spend time on myself, walking alone for hours in the city and make pictures from a film camera – for me this is a bless.
© Hisham Ahmad, Pasar Karat, Kuala Lumpur, 2019
2) Making pictures from a film camera
I’m been making switches from one camera brand to another since the day I know about photography. For the record, I’ve owned Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm and Olympus cameras. A switch from a digital to film camera is not a straightforward process though. I’ve been testing and asking around about film camera for quite some time and finally in December 2016, I’ve decided to “upgrade” myself to a film camera – a Leica M6 to be exact. And in order to do that, I’ve sold all digital cameras I’ve owned.
After years of experience making pictures from a film camera, I personally think that a film camera will make you a better photographer. Without the capability to look at the back screen (to see whether you’ve got it right or not), film photography will push your creativity so that you need to think about the expected outcome BEFORE you press that shutter button.
Nothing more, nothing less. Nothing is automatic, no autofocus or whatsoever. It’s the purist to the core. That’s why I’m in love with film photography, and I don’t think I would be able to switch back to digital again. And by doing so, indirectly - I'm also contributing to keep film photography alive in Malaysia!
I’m been making switches from one camera brand to another since the day I know about photography. For the record, I’ve owned Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm and Olympus cameras. A switch from a digital to film camera is not a straightforward process though. I’ve been testing and asking around about film camera for quite some time and finally in December 2016, I’ve decided to “upgrade” myself to a film camera – a Leica M6 to be exact. And in order to do that, I’ve sold all digital cameras I’ve owned.
After years of experience making pictures from a film camera, I personally think that a film camera will make you a better photographer. Without the capability to look at the back screen (to see whether you’ve got it right or not), film photography will push your creativity so that you need to think about the expected outcome BEFORE you press that shutter button.
Nothing more, nothing less. Nothing is automatic, no autofocus or whatsoever. It’s the purist to the core. That’s why I’m in love with film photography, and I don’t think I would be able to switch back to digital again. And by doing so, indirectly - I'm also contributing to keep film photography alive in Malaysia!
© Hisham Ahmad, Central Market, Kuala Lumpur, 2019
Fame and Rich in Street Photography?
Street photography is a very niche genre. It’s started with several people namely Henri Cartier-Bresson, Diane Arbus, William Klein, Robert Frank, Garry Winogrand, Joel Meyerowitz and many more. These people started the “wave” of Street Photography and we are only a follower. And being a follower does not guarantee to make you fame and rich, specifically in this type of genre.
But I’m not saying it’s impossible though. You can, if you have the desire and passion to achieve that.
For me, I have no intention of getting both. I have nobody to pleased and I have no plan to pleased anybody with my photography. I just want to be myself and be happy with my photograph. If there are some people who does not like what I’m doing, so be it. I’m not getting paid from anybody either.
But I’m not saying it’s impossible though. You can, if you have the desire and passion to achieve that.
For me, I have no intention of getting both. I have nobody to pleased and I have no plan to pleased anybody with my photography. I just want to be myself and be happy with my photograph. If there are some people who does not like what I’m doing, so be it. I’m not getting paid from anybody either.
In summary, find you own purpose. Use that purpose as an energy to drives towards your goal. With purpose in mind, you will see the consistency in the work you’ve done. Sooner or later – you’ll achieve what you are looking for. If not in this lifetime, maybe in the next one.
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Youtube: Hisham Ahmad
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