In fact, I’m more than a little behind.
As a general rule, I take my street photos head on so that I can see the subject and the subject can see me. A subject’s face is usually the most interesting thing about them. However, as happens again and again, I discover that the rules I set for myself have exceptions. Sometimes the face is the least interesting feature of a subject.
The same thing is true of buildings. My first impulse is to photograph a building by shooting its official entrance. We recognize the New York Public Library by its staircase flanked by stone lions. We don’t recognize it by the grand sweep of its service entrance. However, a careful eye will discover that the service entrance has its charms too.
Someday I may publish a book about photography. I’ll call it “Fundamentals of Photography” and this image will appear on its cover. An important lesson in my Fundamentals is that one should never ignore the backside. A subject’s visual interest can reach out and grab you in unexpected ways and you must always be prepared to capture that moment.
