Photographer Billy has always been drawn to visual storytelling, a passion that began with illustration and naturally evolved into street photography. His work captures both the raw and poetic moments of everyday life, often shaped by a cinematic eye and a curiosity for human behavior. In this article, he shares the journey behind his craft, the mindset he brings to the streets, and how his background influences his perspective on the world.
I grew up dreaming of becoming an illustrator, so visual storytelling has always been a part of me. This interest, combined with my love for traveling, naturally led me to photography. I started by taking photos on my phone—capturing streets and people—and gradually became more serious about it. Eventually, I realized my phone couldn’t give me the quality or flexibility I needed, so I made the switch to a proper camera.
When walking around New York or other cities, I’m drawn to visually striking moments. The ideal scene is a once-in-a-lifetime moment with perfect light, captured from the right spot. However, even the simplest, everyday moments can be just as powerful. There’s a part of me that loves to document and isolate specific scenes of daily life, while another part enjoys making life appear more cinematic or surreal. Because I used to illustrate comics, my compositions tend to reflect that—curious, dynamic, and a little different from the norm.
Street photography can bring discomfort, uncertainty, and fear. You’re working in public spaces, surrounded by people who might either be watching or become your subjects. My biggest advice to overcome this is: practice often, look approachable, and always be respectful. If you’re nervous, people will sense it. With experience, you’ll learn how to be either discreet or direct while photographing people naturally. You’ll also get faster, knowing which lens suits which situation and having your camera settings ready makes a big difference.
I use one digital camera body and switch between lenses depending on the situation. For busy environments or wide scenes, I prefer wide and mid primes. If I’m focusing on abstract compositions or details, I go for a telephoto lens. In situations where it’s harder to photograph people, I bring my smaller primes. When I’m unsure of what I’ll shoot, I reach for a zoom lens—it gives me the flexibility to capture a range of scenes.
When editing street photos, I give each image the attention it deserves. I use my own presets as a starting point, but always fine-tune them to match the subject and mood. I tend to favor darker, contrasty looks with some desaturation, but I avoid straying too far from how I saw or remembered the moment.
I use Lightroom to do most of the color corrections and exposure balancing, with the tone curve and color grading being my favorite tools.
Over time, I’ve come to appreciate both color and black & white in street photography. I mostly shoot in color and choose to keep it when it enhances the visual language and mood. However, some images are stronger in black & white—especially high-contrast scenes where color doesn’t contribute much or even distracts from the story.
I think I’ve found my style by now, though I keep refining it. Studying art and photography I admire has played a big part in developing my storytelling skills. It doesn’t have to be just street photography—any form of art can influence your perspective.
If you’re searching for your style, I highly recommend exploring the work of others. There’s nothing wrong with borrowing bits and pieces at first. In time, with practice, you’ll naturally shape it into something that’s uniquely yours.
Photographer Billy has always been drawn to visual storytelling, a passion that began with illustration and naturally evolved into street photography. His work captures both the raw and poetic moments of everyday life, often shaped by a cinematic eye and a curiosity for human behavior. In this article, he shares the journey behind his craft, the mindset he brings to the streets, and how his background influences his perspective on the world.
For Nick, the outdoors have always been more than just scenery—they’re part of his identity. What began with a camera on a family trip in Colorado has grown into a lifelong pursuit of capturing the raw and often unpredictable beauty of the natural world. In this piece, Nick shares the lessons, stories, and creative evolution that continue to shape his journey behind the lens. He also provides some insights about his image taken in Patagonia, which won Best of the Week 12, 2025.
Christopher West’s journey into photography was shaped early by his father’s influence and a growing obsession with the mountains. From Scottish highlands to Icelandic peaks, his work reflects a connection to wild places and the unpredictable beauty of nature. In this piece, he shares how travel, chance, and a little push from his partner led to breathtaking images and unexpected recognition from National Geographic. He also shares his story behind the winning image of Best of the Week 14.
Through years of exploring Indonesia’s volcanic landscapes, Fikri’s camera became a way to honor their beauty and emotion. In this article, he shares the story behind his award-winning Mount Bromo image and the vision that guides his work.
Italian photographer Isabella Tabacchi is known for her atmospheric landscapes and aerial imagery that fuse technical mastery with deep emotion. From the Icelandic highlands to the Alpine peaks, she transforms wild places into poetic compositions. In this article, she shares six key techniques for crafting emotion-driven narratives from above.
This article explores the creative journey of French photographer Edouard, whose passion for visual art began with childhood sketches and evolved into a full-time career in aerial and travel photography. From his first drone flight in 2017 to publishing an acclaimed photo book on sports seen from the sky, Edouard has developed a unique artistic voice grounded in perspective, light, and storytelling.
Originally from Ottawa, Canada, Chris first honed his craft as a concert photographer in Toronto before his love for travel led him to explore over 30 countries. Now based in Miami, he focuses on capturing the essence of places through intentional composition, immersive color, and a deep connection to his surroundings, creating images that transport viewers into the moment.
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