Are You Struggling with Street Photography Abroad?

Today, whatever I am going to share is solely based on my personal experience. As a writer, I feel responsible for connecting with my audience. Some of you might agree, and others might disagree, but as a South Asian photographer currently living in a Western country, I've encountered numerous challenges when it comes to street photography.

First things first, a little introduction about street photography. What’s street photography?

Street photography is a genre that focuses on capturing candid or unusual moments from everyday life within an urban environment. The term "street photography" highlights the emphasis on documenting regular and authentic scenes that typically occur on the streets.

I am from Dhaka, Bangladesh—a city filled with drama, memorable moments, and beautiful chaos. I started photography in 2016 and experienced many adrenaline-filled moments shooting on Dhaka’s streets. South Asian countries share similar cultural and behavioral traits, offering photographers plenty of opportunities to practice their craft and art.

I moved to the UK in January 2020 when Covid-19 had already started spreading. From March, a total lockdown made it difficult for me to practice photography. I have taken some of the pictures which resonates the emptiness we all felt during covid-19.

As the situation gradually improved, I began going out with my camera. And Guess What, I faced significant challenges in capturing even one decent street photo, primarily due to cultural differences. In Western countries, people tend to be more sensitive about their personal space and value privacy more highly than individuals living in South Asian countries. I remember someone asking me to delete a photo simply because a small part of his face was visible, even though he was not the main subject.

And it discouraged me a lot. Street photography is a big part of my life. I love the rush of this genre. Then I remembered, whenever there's an occasion in Dhaka, such as Eid, Puja and others, I used to see many photographers from western countries who used to document the pictures in railway stations, launch terminals, even on busy roads or old streets of Dhaka. Because, people of these countries are not conscious about someone capturing their existence on their camera. 

Well, obviously I did not stop taking pictures after that but that one part of me of being a street photographer slightly died that day. If you see the famous street photographers who are based in these western countries, you can notice they try not to expose the individual in their photographs. 

Sometimes, I miss that environment where street photography was much easier. While searching for modernized buildings and advanced culture, a small part of the photographer in me was lost forever.

In conclusion, adapting to a new cultural environment has taught me valuable lessons about patience, sensitivity, and the importance of respecting different views of privacy. While it has been challenging, these experiences continue to shape me as a photographer.