(Eye*Brain) + Lens = Voyeur | Emberger Media -by Paul Emberger

1) Dapper couple cat napping in Central Park

Sitting on a  bench in Central Park on an August Sunday morning, I notice a  dapper couple napping. Sitting in the sun, bathing as if cats near a window. I imagine their lives. Who are they? Where have they been?

A scene plays out in front of me, as my girlfriend’s voice devolves to the sound of the adults from the Peanuts. Wa wan wa wan wa… She looks at me, ready to punch me in the shoulder, and realizes that I am not being rude, but that I am captivated by this couple. I tilt my camera forward, and while looking at her, discretely depress the shutter.

I always try to  carry a camera with me. That day it was my Canon G9, which I can easily rest in my lap.  Sitting while shooting a scene like this allows me to be more subtle. I can glance at the screen without moving the camera; then press the shutter button, while not looking at the subject.  Should someone notice me, I will appear to be interested in anything but my camera.

For me, there are two ways to shoot images of strangers on the street: The quiet fly on the wall technique. Or the “in your face”, I’m a part of your world approach. The former allows me to catch people in a natural gesture. With The latter, I talk to people, engage them and ask if I can shoot a specific photo. I inject myself into the moment and actively creating a photograph, instead of capturing spontaneity.

Both are relevant. Both have their place. In this situation, if I had approached the couple my interruption may well have changed the scene entirely. This image would have faded into visual history.

In my day to day, commercial/editorial picture taking world, I sometimes feel stuck.  And occasionally, I need to get outside of my own brain. It’s crowded in there. Gets hard to hear myself think, let alone problem solve or create. When this happens I like to take to the street, camera in hand, meander aimlessly, and allow my mind’s eye to wander. Sometimes I shoot buildings. Other times public art, or maybe I focus on small details. Other times still, I like to point my camera at people I pass. Whatever I shoot that day, I usually hyper focus on one type of subject matter.

2) Jazz in the Park

This shoot-from-the-hip activity is akin to free writing. Allowing the brain to free associate, find form in chaos, and order it into something intelligible.

I think what makes a good “Street Scene” is an image that allows the viewer to do as I did with the couple in the park. Look at it and think: Hmm… what is going on there? Where is this place? What is going through that person’s mind? Who are they in a sea of 7 billion? At the same time I attempt to maintain respect for my subject. I don’t want to show them in compromising situations.

So, what do you see? I have posted 10 photos here. Have a look. What is the first thing that pops into your mind? If you like, share it in the comments. Please include the image number, have fun, and stay clean.

3) Wet Walk

4) Spike

5) Excuse me, pardon me

6) Play somethin' for ya?

7) My, what big teeth you have!

8) They don't see me.

9) What're we gettin' into tonight?

10) Just chillin'