Κυριακή 30 Ιουνίου 2013

The Transformative Experience of Shooting Street Photography Abroad by Dimitris Makrygiannakis

1x1.trans The Transformative Experience of Shooting Street Photography Abroad by Dimitris Makrygiannakis

Photo by Dimitris Makrygiannakis. Click to read more.
Eric’s Note: I first came across Dimitris Makrygiannakis on Hardcore Street Photography, and was blown away with his unique vision. I love the way how he captures life through his lens, with a surrealistic flair. To see more of his images and his thoughts on street photography, check out his feature below.


DimitrisI am 34, originally from Greece, and I have been living in Sweden the last 9 years and traveling a lot. I am also a medical doctor by profession...


1x1.trans The Transformative Experience of Shooting Street Photography Abroad by Dimitris Makrygiannakis
I have always had a passion for photography, but I used to see the world through the eyes of a tourist. Two and a half years ago, I joined Flickr after a friend recommended a photo by Lukas Vasilikos. I was so impressed by the shot, that I became enamored with street photography.
When I first started shooting street photography, I started with a zoom lens. However with guidance from my first teacher Antonis Bultadakis, I learned how important it was to approach and embed yourself with the people you intended to shoot, and switched to prime lenses.
In June 2012, I bought a 35mm lens which I intend to use for many more years, as it feels like the right focal length for me.
1x1.trans The Transformative Experience of Shooting Street Photography Abroad by Dimitris Makrygiannakis
I usually don’t have a lot of free time, but I shot every summer. This is the downside of being a medical doctor in “real life.”
In August 2012 I went on a 6 month trip to India, which was the best thing in my photographic life so far. Spending all the time there with photography was the primary purpose of the trip. Everyday, I felt my photography maturing quickly– and I started to reconsider things about photography.  I highly recommend the trip to anyone.
Before I left for the trip, I was lucky enough to attend a workshop on artistic photography by Lukas Vasilikos, which was very educative, and helped for the next months in preparation for the trip.
1x1.trans The Transformative Experience of Shooting Street Photography Abroad by Dimitris Makrygiannakis
I find ”non-western” countries and especially India a street photographer’s paradise, there are so many more opportunities in the street than in the ”western” countries.
It takes of course time to stop seeing as a tourist and see more as a street photographer. A challenge is also to make street photography in Sweden where I live, have not been so focused on that yet. I hope to focus more on that in the future.
1x1.trans The Transformative Experience of Shooting Street Photography Abroad by Dimitris Makrygiannakis
I get a lot of inspiration from looking on other people’s work, there are always new insights to discover while looking at others’ pictures, I guess it is good though to filter the information according to your personality.
1x1.trans The Transformative Experience of Shooting Street Photography Abroad by Dimitris Makrygiannakis
When I “hunt” for photos on the street, I try not restrict myself. I love the feeling of my eyes wandering without a specific aim. However once in a while in those few moments in life, people and things will come together magically for a moment. If I record that, it enough for me.
I like looking at different kind of photos on my memory card at the end of the day. Of course, the negative side of this is that I never think about working in the project mindset.
1x1.trans The Transformative Experience of Shooting Street Photography Abroad by Dimitris Makrygiannakis
In India I started taking many shots of the same scene, especially when many people are included in the scene. It is really worthy. I was kind of an 1-shot-and-go person until my recent trip.
1x1.trans The Transformative Experience of Shooting Street Photography Abroad by Dimitris Makrygiannakis
My aim is to be a morally decent street photographer. I show photos that I am hoping that the people being showed would also like. And I try to solve misunderstandings in the street with a smile and sometimes long talks in order to explain and promote street photography.
1x1.trans The Transformative Experience of Shooting Street Photography Abroad by Dimitris Makrygiannakis
I think street photography is something we can do even in our kitchen, it is just a concept. And it needs good directors, regarding both posed and unposed photos.
1x1.trans The Transformative Experience of Shooting Street Photography Abroad by Dimitris Makrygiannakis
I would like to thank Antonis Damolis, Christos Kapatos, Nikos Pavlidis, and Andreas Paradise for fruitful discussions and good advices. Recently I started lessons on philosophy of photography with Achilleas Nasios. Akis Karamanos is there for me always. And because street photography and photography in general consumes long hours from my off-work day, I would like to thank my girlfriend for her understanding :-)
1x1.trans The Transformative Experience of Shooting Street Photography Abroad by Dimitris Makrygiannakis
Part of my latest work in India is going to be exhibited in Stockholm in May-June in CUP Stockholm. Together with the In-Public exhibition, there is going to be a small parallel exhibition by Brian Sparks, Mattias Leppäniemi, Ola Billmont + (second flickr page), Magnus Frödeberg and me. Another exhibition with Antonis Damolis, Haris Panagiotakopoulos, and Giorgos Marazakis will follow this September in Crete island, Greece, more to be announced.

1x1.trans The Transformative Experience of Shooting Street Photography Abroad by Dimitris Makrygiannakis

http://erickimphotography.com/blog/2013/05/31/the-transformative-experience-of-shooting-street-photography-abroad-by-dimitris-makrygiannakis/

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