Welcome back to another retrospective with Matt. Today, let us delve into the first of many street photographs, appropriately titled 'Lady Looking Up.' Street photography wasn't even on my radar when I initially ventured into photography. I was purely a landscape photographer with no interest in other genres. My curiosity was piqued during my time at TAFE when I was tasked with researching and writing about a form of photography previously unknown to me. A Google search led me to the work of Gary Winogrand, an influential photographer active during the 1960s in New York.

Gary's signature move was capturing candid subjects looking out of the frame. This element added an entirely alternate story beyond the photo: What were the subjects looking at? Why did their faces look that way? Where were they? All from a single photo of a person looking out of the frame. Gary's work played a massive role in inspiring my first year of shooting street photography, and the photo we are discussing today incorporates that captivating element.

On a warm day in my hometown, Brisbane, Queensland, during a period of unemployment, I roamed the streets, capturing the essence of the working people. I preferred hitting the streets around 10-10:30 and staying until after the lunch rush. The lunchtime crowds provided excellent subjects, people looking for their mid-day meal or just engaging in some retail therapy. While strolling through Queen Street Mall, I noticed a lady sitting on a chair. Taking photos of people in the streets minding their own business might seem a bit intrusive, but that is the essence of street photography! As I raised my camera to eye level, the lady noticed, suspecting that I was taking a photograph. We locked eyes, and a moment of awkwardness ensued. Instinctively, I lowered the camera, attempting to play it off, and I looked up. She followed suit. I seized the moment, snapped my shot, and moved on.

I have a penchant for shooting street photography on film, relishing the gamble of potentially missing the shot. With this shot, I knew I had captured something special and eagerly anticipated the results. In the confusion of the moment, I was not entirely sure if I had exposed it correctly, resulting in a slightly over-exposed look. Yet, I find charm in the rough grain and bright highlights of a poorly exposed film exposure. It's raw and in the moment. At that time, I was still refining my technical skills in shooting film, and my expertise took a backseat. I handle the development, scanning, and editing of all my films, and at that time, I was not fully adept at this process. Perhaps, when I am old and retired, seeking a new venture, I will revisit these original images to address some of the technical issues.

Reflecting on this photo fuels my enthusiasm to dive back into the world of street photography, inspiring me to explore the work of other remarkable photographers. There is a wealth of untapped creativity waiting to be discovered, and I am eager to share my findings with you in future articles. Thank you, once again, for joining me on this retrospective journey. Your support means a lot. Feel free to browse through the items in my store below and explore other articles here—you might stumble upon something that sparks your own creative inspiration.

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