As the title suggests, I’m a great street photographer, and it’s taken years for me to realise this. Perhaps this blog could be as simple as the title implies. My confidence has never been the best, and this blog is about me and my journey of growing it. I know this might sound arrogant, but I need to write this because I’m sick of feeling small and insignificant.
I’ve never really given much value to my photography and have always found it hard to accept compliments from other photographers. My good friend Jay, an amazing photographer himself, has consistently told me that I’m great at what I do. Coming from anyone else, I wouldn’t give it a second thought, but Jay is someone I admire and respect. The thing is, he’s not the only photographer who says this. Francesco Mellina, a friend I feel honoured to have, is always giving me a bollocking about my attitude towards my photography.
Both Jay and Francesco believe I should be doing more to get my work seen by as many people as possible, but I’ve always dismissed this. Why do I always talk myself down? I’m asking myself these very questions as I write this blog.
A few months ago, I went to Anfield to see Liverpool play. I thought I’d try to get some great photos of the fans around the stadium. I had an amazing few hours taking photos, but at the same time, I thought I bet I hadn’t got anything good. A few days later, I was going through my photos and found myself thinking these were okay, but nothing special.
I then began to see photos others were posting online and started questioning myself and my work. My photos were so much better than anything I was seeing. Most of the photographs I was seeing online were repetitive and lacked originality. I went back through my work and realised I had captured some amazing moments. I sent photos to Jay to have a look at, and of course, he told me to post them straight away as there were so many great moments from that day.
After this, I’ve been thinking about my work and looking back over my photos. You know what I discovered? I am a great street photographer. I’m going to say it straight out right here, right now: I’m one of the best street photographers working today. I need to keep telling myself this. I need the power and positivity in my life. I know that Mr.Littlewood, my photography teacher, would be so proud of my work.
It’s time for me to stop overthinking about my work. I know this sounds pretentious, but I don’t care. I don’t care how you might read this: I am a great street photographer, simple as that.
I know I see things on the street that nobody else sees. I know that I can shoot with any camera, any focal length, and I’ll never miss. I know that I’m one of only a few street photographers that use an 85mm focal length on the streets. I know that I’m capable of shooting all styles of street photography. I’m NOT a one-trick pony. I can do it all, and I can do it better than most other photographers. And I need to keep telling myself this.
My work speaks for itself. I am not limited by weather conditions; I can capture exceptional images even on cloudy or overcast days. It doesn’t matter what the conditions are – quiet streets, smallest of towns. I can produce great work when and wherever I happen to be.
I’ve never valued my art. I never wanted to enter my work into competitions because I always felt it wasn’t good enough, but that’s nonsense. Starting today, I’m going to enter more competitions and write to publishers. I’m determined to get my work seen by as many people as possible. I know the haters out there, the ones who got into my head on social media, will read this and laugh, but all I can say to them is, “Fuck you,” show me what you can do.
Ultimately, my photographs are a testament to my vision—focused, evocative, and impactful. I know I have much to learn and areas to grow, but this journey is just beginning. Feeling small and insignificant is no longer an option; it’s time to embrace the greatness that lies within me as a street photographer.
