Street Life Matt Stuart
Apr 6, 2023
Matt Stuart, a UK-based street photographer and author, shares insights into his creative journey and new book, Reclaim the Street. He discusses the challenges and joys of capturing spontaneous moments, revealing he averages one great shot a month. Matt emphasizes the importance of local photography and project-based learning in workshops, while also criticizing elements of toxic masculinity in the photography community. He reflects on mentorship, the influence of social media, and shares amusing anecdotes about his experiences, including a humorous take on superpowers for street photography.
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Set Low Expectations To Improve Learning
- Tell workshop students they are unlikely to get a great picture to relax them and reduce overthinking.
- Discuss bad pictures openly because they offer more learning opportunities than instant 'wow' images.
Good Photos Become Rarer As Skill Grows
- 'Good' shifts as you improve, so hit-rate perceptions change over time.
- Matt estimates he now gets a satisfying picture roughly once a month despite shooting daily.
Creating 'Reclaim the Street' Took Two Years
- Matt spent two years assembling Reclaim the Street and interviewed photographers worldwide for the book.
- He prioritized under-the-radar contributors and diverse styles rather than familiar names.
