Did You Know That Observing Other People Can Improve Your Photography?

Pasha Francuz
2 min readFeb 1, 2024

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You: Really? How so?

Photo from iPhone photography course “Explore Your Pocket Creativity ©” — Lesson 4: “Lights & Shadows”

Me: Think about it. People are endlessly fascinating creatures. Each one tells a unique story through their gestures, expressions, and interactions with the world around them — there is no need to go to the Gallery or the Museum 😃. Observing people is a new way of coming to the gallery experience that allows us to understand human behavior better. I mean “People” as a gallery — “lify” style. When you’re attuned to how people move, react, and express emotions, you can anticipate moments worth capturing. It’s like peering into a treasure trove of candid moments waiting to be immortalized.

Streets, coffee shops, public transport…

People as a gallery.

Let’s take street photography, for instance. By observing the rhythm of life (its own) on the streets, you can capture scenes that reflect the essence of a place or moment in time. It’s not just about the scenery; it’s about the people who inhabit it and the stories they carry.

Pay attention to their body language, facial expressions, and the subtle nuances that reveal their personality. By understanding your subjects on a deeper level, you can capture portraits that resonate with authenticity and emotion.

I call that, — detective level :)))))

A person on the Bus Station, San Francisco 2021 — (shot on the iPhone 11 Max Pro)

Watching how people interact with their surroundings can give you insights into interesting compositions. Observing how people naturally frame themselves within a scene can help you understand how to compose your shots effectively by using 9 types of frames.

Emotions as a currency

People’s expressions and emotions can be powerful subjects for photography. By observing people in different situations, you can learn to capture genuine emotions and expressions in your photographs, adding depth and storytelling to your work.

California, San Francisco 2021 — (shot on apple iPhone 11 Max Pro)

Conclusion,

What could be more interesting than this, — just simply observing a life and paying some attention to how light falls on?

… there’s always something new to discover — especially when you’ve seen it all. 🤍

If you like this article please feel free to support me by buying my course: Explore Your Pocket Creativity ©

Dedicated to you. You are the creator. Please, be bold 🖤

Follow me for more
@masterpasha.photography

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Pasha Francuz

I’ll stop you at the moment to see how to eat with your eyes first, with no camera at all! It’s a place where I'll guide you by just slowly observing life …