Street photography: Capturing timeless moments

Strolling at my own pace, my mind is free to dance with the wind as my worries lightly encircle my brow, and the dust of my old photo albums flickers in a leisurely manner. Back then, the sun was so long and warm, and I used the streets and alleys as a canvas, my feet as a brush, and wandered happily through the veins of the city. This isn’t just a monologue of self-abandonment. It’s actually a tender capture of the eternal moment in the depths of the soul. It’s a profound dialogue about life, loneliness, and freedom.

Leica M8 with Summicron 35mm f2 v4 King of Bokeh (7-element)

In this free-spirited journey, every image holds a hidden tale, and each click of the shutter is a gentle nod to the passing of time. I’m not lost, but in this strange world, I’m using my camera as a boat to travel through the junction of the ordinary and the extraordinary. I’m looking for those fleeting moments that hit the heart!

Leica M8 with Summicron 35mm f2 v4 King of Bokeh (7-element)

Oh, self-abandonment! Oh, no! This is the most sincere embrace of life, a profound excavation of the immortal beauty in the daily minutiae. In the busy streets, I learned to listen to the wind’s soft whispers, capture the light sound of falling rain, so that my mind and the city resonate with the same frequency, and together weave a beautiful tapestry of time, space, and human nature.

Leica M8 with Summicron 35mm f2 v4 King of Bokeh (7-element)

As a result, those once seemingly meaningless scurrying turned into the courage to explore the unknown, which was really exciting! And the thick sorrow between my eyebrows was quietly transformed into the infinite yearning for beautiful things, which was a big step forward. Looking at old photos, I felt the warmth and emotion of the past, and it gave me strength and inspiration to keep going. Street photography is more than just a skill; it’s a way of life. It’s about embracing life’s endless possibilities with passion. On this journey of self-discovery, I’ve learned to find peace with myself and the world. And finally, between chaos and tranquility, I’ve found my own artistic home.

Leica M8 with Summicron 35mm f2 v4 King of Bokeh (7-element)

500 years of looking back

I’ve only met these lovely people once, but when I do it’s fate and I’ll be sure to capture them on camera! The Buddha said that it took 500 years of looking back in a previous life to exchange for a brush of shoulders in this life. Isn’t that a lovely thought?

Leica M9 with Elmarit 28mm f2.8 v3
Leica M9 with Elmarit 28mm f2.8 v3

Silent photography, silent expression.

If you don’t want to say something in words, you can always stick it on your body. And if you don’t want to express the meaning in words, you can use pictures instead. I often see people in the streets with slogans and drawings all over their bodies. With my camera, I took pictures of them, turned them into photos, and then posted them online with words. In a way, I am in the same category as him.

Leica M9 with Elmarit 28mm f2.8 v3

Sweat Pores, Aperture

The amazing thing about human body temperature is that it’s not set in stone. It’s constantly changing, and it’s all down to the opening and closing of the sweat glands. They’re working hard to keep us at a relatively balanced temperature! It’s the same with photography. The combination of aperture and shutter ultimately results in a relatively balanced image. It’s incredible how these two elements work together! Nowadays, I look at everything and it’s all the same thing with photography. Am I a little too obsessed with photography? Absolutely!

Leica M9 with Elmarit 28mm f2.8 v3

The shutter is faster than the brain

Photography is about using your eyes and your mind together. But is it better to think first, then take a picture, or to take a picture first, then think? I don’t always have time to think, just like a dog owner who doesn’t always have time to control their dog. My shutter always runs before my brain.

Leica M9 with Elmarit 28mm f2.8 v3

Keep a clear photo

A memory card is lined up with many photos, not every photo can be taken clearly. What is the point of having blurry photos? They can only exist for the sake of a clear photo. Just like the words we say or the things we do, only a few can be preserved. That’s the law of the world and the law of photography, I guess.

Leica M9 with Elmarit 28mm f2.8 v3