My Photography Mistakes 

My mistake has been delaying before taking a street photo (even quick ones). To beat it, I have the mantra in my head "some photos you make, others you take". It reminds me that some shots I just have to 'grab' quickly and to stay alert for, when split seconds count. My other bad habit is leaving photos in my hard drive without finishing them off and posting them.

our patron saint of street photography GW said something like "we already know too much about what a good photograph looks like". Of course you don't have to worry about this, for many people good photographs are totally fine. But to you point about not working the scene, at 2:12 something unexpected happened, you had a "good" scene, something you understood, and then something unusual happened, the woman became shrouded in steam. So we have a good photograph, nice composition, colors, etc, something unexpected, the vanishing woman, but that is just the beginning. How does a person vanish in smoke? or was that her dress? a cloud dress? was she simply vapor to begin with? the picture is really only beginning, forget the whole right hand side. its the possibility of what the camera sees that has nothing to do with reality or our ideas of composition and good photography, its simply a new fact. She was dissolving. Or at least, one of a million possible stories such a photograph can generate. If we don't stay, we don't get past our 99 ideas of what is good. Great channel!

I knew 2:12 reminded me of something. Had to confirm but it reminds me of Edward Hopper's Nighthawks (1942) painting.

I really relate to the problem of listening to music while out shooting. I also tried it without, but my problem is that now I feel a lot more self-conscious and judged by my surroundings, so I hesitate more and often don't take the shot because I feel too awkward. I guess, sometimes you can be a bit too much in the moment.

Another great video Roman. Thank you so much.

Thank you for honesty. Many people do that but they don't realize. ❤

Thank your for your thoughts - and I do like your photos. Starting at ca. 8:20 your comment hit it. I've come to realise that the core is: What do I want? I recognise the client pressure. Beyond that ... cranking up the portfolio? Or rather making time for working on, as you called it, the creativity side? Experiment? Invite failure as a learning experience? Then, maybe, cutting down on time pressure could be the thing, e.g. by focussing. Or at least become more fluid in my constraints. Which can result in fewer "produce", but more enjoyment. Looking forward to learn the path you will be taking.

Great video again Roman 🙌 Loving seeing your journey over the last few years ! And its funny that you say about wanting to feel present , here and now , its very much on my mind too …. many changes in life recently have made me see how important that is … enjoying the journey of life / photography / everything rather than rushing to get to the end/destination … 😊😊🙌

I may be the only one here, but I listen to metalcore and deathcore when I do photography work like August Burns Red, Underoath, ya know that screamy screamy types with the rawr rawrs, that music gives me goosebumps every time! Also, sick to see you visit Osaka, it's a wonderful place and quite different from the more popular destination of Tokyo. Love to see more!

A bunch of great shots between your mistakes 😊

Original advice! I can relate to all the patterns you describe.

All these tips are really relevant to me as well. I am constantly thinking about these all day. I want to get photos out quick and get done with them because it feels like im not creating anything. Although i have a 9-5 to take care of, i still feel stuck and wanting to get out.

I relate to all of what you’re saying. Re: music; I figured out that if I listen to music that’s instrumental, e.g. classical or jazz, then it does not take me out of photography flow as much. Similar to music/podcast intrusion, I also find it’s very counterproductive if I had a beer either before or during the outing. Sure I have a great time, but the results definitely suffer. By the way; the shot at 2:12 is spectacular!

In regards to listening to music while walking around taking photos is the thing I did before, but I stopped because being present on the streets, hearing different noises on the streets is part of being present and on the streets. I get more immersive experience plus it's safer to hear everthing around you.

Valid point with "being present". For me, if the goal is to spend a great time with myself, relax and chill out, then I always take my headphones and listen to good music (though I had to stop using the noice cancelling in Tokyo, otherwise I could be dead right now). But if the goal is to take great photos, then I never use headphones. It is way more harder to relate to a subject when I'm no present on a street. This is crutial in storytelling and adding emotions to photos.

I hear the Music example really often nowadays, I think it also could bring you in "the zone" where I benefit the most from actually and be really focused on my work. But yeah its different for everyone :D

When I listen to the sounds of your video I feel like I'm present there. Just can't believe you don't. )

Man, I wish I could've met you and westcott. Was just there for 5days shooting everything I could with my humble af phone camera

Not walking with earbuds in is my favourite thing. I just prefer being where I am in body and mind, than zoning out to a song. The sounds around me help define my location and keep me present. Of course though, a siren requires a finger in my ear as it passes 🙂

Nice story and imo helpful for everybody. Question. Since you have your earphones in when roaming the streets I wonder , don't you mingle with the crowd. I talk to everybody interesting. Asking for a shot. Walk into interesting shops ask to shoot around for crazy stuff. Laugh with people and having fun. Photography is a great tool to meet people . If I would have been quiet I can't count the nice shots I would have missed. Thanks for sharing 🎉

Missed you at the gallery conceal roman ! I went yesterday ! Great video ss always. I often listen to music whilst taking photos. Perbaps ill consider stopping on the next one

Love your photography. I wish I could see more faces, but I know that complicates everything.

You should once make a "The Photography of..." Samuel Lintaro Hopf. Great street photographer from Germany/Japan

Presets, for me, are a starting point in editing. Like clicking the Auto button and then working to bring your vision out. What store had the Audrey Hepburn photo displayed?

I constantly make the same mistake over and over, putting the camera in the bag to early! I'll never seem to take my own advice to only put the camera away AFTER I'm back on my bike or back in the car after a day of shooting. Anyone else have the same problem?

Riding a motorcycle with a camera around my neck for 40 years taught me to remove all distractions as a personal safety mechanism. It is now a habit, no passengers are allowed to talk when I drive a car, no music, zero. This allows me to concentrate in my own independent creative zone whilst on a photo walk, it also facilitates full concentration on my surroundings when walking through dangerous areas of Africa.

Hi Roman, did you use AF-S or AF-C for the images in this photo? And do you prefer single point, zone or wide/tracking on the Fuji system? Thanks.

Did I miss something , or is there no explanation as to why the thumbnail is a Leica rather than a Fuji?

how long are you in osaka for?

First comment! Great video as always Roman!

Oh what the hell third 👍🙏👍

Secooooond Comment wohoo 😂