Back to the Grind: Embracing the Commute with Street Photography

After months (or perhaps years) of the freedom of working from home, the siren call of the office is once again beckoning and on most if not all of us.

Photography isn’t my full time job, it’s my sanity check, to inject a form of creativity into my brain, after spending the working week crunching and counting numbers.

It was back in 2011, when I purchased the iPhone 4, that I discovered the genre of iphoneography over on Flickr, which cultivated into street photography, as an activity to break up the banality of the daily commute into London.  This has piqued my curiosity ever since and blossomed into what is now a fully involved side hustle of managing this website and Etsy store, selling my wares.

As we enter 2025, Labour are seated in Westminster with their pledge to grow the economy, we are all (re)starting the weekly pilgrimage back to the office.  Alas, this means a return to the daily grind of the commute. But what if, instead of dreading that train journey or bus ride, we could embrace it as an opportunity for creativity and self-discovery.

Enter: street photography.

The daily commute, often seen as a monotonous and time-consuming chore, can be transformed into a unique and rewarding experience. Armed with a camera, a curious mind, and a keen eye for the unexpected, the journey to the office becomes a daily expedition.

Here's how to turn your commute into a street photography adventure:

• Embrace the Unexpected: The beauty of street photography lies in its spontaneity. Be prepared for anything – a fleeting glance, a quirky outfit, a vibrant mural, an unexpected interaction.

• Find Your Angle: Experiment with different perspectives. Shoot from the hip, capture reflections in windows, or try a high vantage point.

• Tell a Story: Look for patterns and narratives in the everyday. What do the faces of your fellow commuters reveal? What stories do the objects they carry tell?

• Respect Your Subjects: Always be mindful and respectful of others. Avoid intrusive photography and prioritize the safety and comfort of those around you.

• Edit and Share: After your journey, take some time to review your photos. Select your favorites, edit them to enhance their impact, and share them with the world.

Benefits Beyond the Frame:

Street photography on the commute offers more than just stunning images. It provides:

• A Creative Outlet: A welcome distraction from the pressures of work and a way to express your unique perspective.

• Increased Mindfulness: Paying attention to the details of your surroundings can help you become more present and appreciate the world around you.

• A Sense of Adventure: The daily commute becomes an exciting journey, filled with the anticipation of discovering the unexpected.

• Improved Observation Skills: Street photography sharpens your awareness of your surroundings, making you a more observant and engaged individual.

So, the next time you find yourself facing the dreaded commute, grab your camera and embrace the adventure. Transform the journey from a mundane obligation into a creative pursuit. You might be surprised at the beauty and inspiration you discover along the way.

Disclaimer: Please be mindful of your surroundings and ensure your photography does not disrupt or inconvenience others. Always prioritize safety and respect the privacy of individuals.

Note: This blog post focuses on commuting in London, where public transport is widely used. However, the principles of street photography on the commute can be applied to any mode of transportation in any city.

I hope this blog post inspires you to embrace the commute and discover the creative potential within your daily journey. Happy shooting!

Until next time, keep shooting.

Turning full circle?

Capturing the Everyday: Rediscovering Street Photography on my Commute with the Google Pixel 8 Pro

11/01/2023

Today’s blog post is eery. its a little over 13 years ago, with a simple iPhone 4 smartphone in my hand, that I started to document my daily commute to London. The primary objective was to avoid the mundane and avoid the negativity of the other commuters ‘getting my day off to a bad start’.

By 2012, I then started a theme of covering the 2012 London olympics, it was at this time that I received an unsolicited email from Nokia, asking me to use their then new Nokia Pureview 808 smartphone, to post to my twitter account.

One thing led to another, and it ultimately led to me +1 being given hospitality tickets by Nokia, to cover the V Festival with the Nokia Pureview, in the summer of 2012. This was the event where The Stone Roses headlined.

This video is my blogpost at the time, uploaded to my tumblr account, reviewing the smartphone:

Today, I find myself turning full circle, if you will. I now use full frame digital cameras and a selection of film cameras, to take images to sell on my website and Etsy Store. However, now that the pandemic is a distant memory, and I have to be back in the office 2 days a week, I’m back to the ‘bump and grind’ of a weekly commute.

I’ve been an android user for 10 years now, and have normally elected for a budget to mid range smartphone, which is generally coupled with a crap (read substandard) camera. After much debate and consideration, I decided to upgrade my phone to …………

………… the incredibly powerful Google Pixel 8 Pro smartphone, equipped with a camera that rivals many prosumer DSLRs. It's time to rediscover the artistic adventure that first sparked my love for photography and capture the essence of my surroundings in ways I couldn't have imagined back then.

A Journey Through Time

Commuting to work can be monotonous, but I've always been fascinated by the stories the streets can tell. From the bustling crowds to the unexpected moments of beauty and serendipity, street photography allows me to capture the essence of the world outside my window. With the Google Pixel 8 Pro's advanced camera capabilities, I'm sure I will be rekindling my passion again for the mundanely perculiar.

The Power of the Google Pixel 8 Pro Camera

The Google Pixel 8 Pro boasts a powerful 16-megapixel camera with an f/1.8 aperture and advanced computational photography features. This combination will enable me to capture stunning images in even the most challenging lighting conditions, perfect for the ever-changing environment of my daily commute, as we enter winter, here in the UK. The phone's Night Sight mode, for instance, will allow me to capture the essence of the city streets after hours, embracing the captivating play of lights and shadows. Whether it's a dimly lit street corner or a colorful neon sign contrasted against the darkness, the Google Pixel 8 Pro should have me covered.

A Full Circle Journey

As I find myself once again immersed in the world of street photography during my daily commute, armed with the Google Pixel 8 Pro smartphone, I can't help but feel a sense of nostalgia and gratitude. It's a testament to how far technology has come, enabling us to capture extraordinary moments with a device that fits in our pocket.
With the Google Pixel 8 Pro's exceptional camera capabilities, I've turned full circle and rediscovered the joy of street photography on the go. As I continue to explore the dynamic world outside my window, I'm excited to see where this journey takes me and the stories I'll be able to preserve through the lens of my smartphone.

Until next time, keep snapping.