April 17, 2026

Learning to see street corners

The alarm went off before dawn, and by six I was already at the northern lakes. Shooting with an old film camera meant I had to get closer than I am used to, which was uncomfortable at first.

A light drizzle started around ten. I sheltered under a bus stop roof and photographed people hurrying past. By noon the crowds arrived, so I walked further along the path, where street corners were still undisturbed.

Working with an old film camera forces you to slow down. You think twice before pressing the shutter, and that changes the pictures. I kept a paper notebook this time, writing down the time and the light for every roll.

There is something calming about returning to the same spot and noticing small changes since the last visit. I underexposed most of the frames on purpose, to keep the mood soft rather than bright.

It was a good reminder that interesting pictures rarely require going far.