Most people who know me personally would probably tell you that I am a very real and authentic person. This aspect of my personality most certainly reflects in my work as well. This may be the reason why I am so drawn to capturing life on the streets. I capture life as it happens, without staging or directing, without adding or removing anything in post processing. To me this is exactly why documentary or ‘street’ photography is so pure, exciting and difficult.
If you create beautiful photographs on the streets by staging or directing your subjects, you are simply robbing yourself of the satisfaction and merit of photographing real life as it happens. You may say “No one knows or no one cares” and that may be true. But aren’t you the first person you need to be true to? Wouldn’t you feel like you’re cheating or being deceitful if you staged a shot to make it look candid?
Call me a purist if you will. I believe that moments in life are fleeting for a reason: You cannot replicate true emotions, nor should you want to. And even if you missed the shot, know that at least you saw the moment and that is so much more that most people can say. I much prefer missing the moment, than try to replicate it. That would be too easy and it would take the fun and challenge out of this beautiful craft.
Cheers!
Valérie.