Looking back
Amateur Photographer|August 01, 2023
Chris Porsz's latest book is a retrospective of his greatest street photography hits. Here, he shares some advice with Amy Davies
Amy Davies
Looking back

AD: What is your favourite city for street photography?

CP: Venice, as no cars; New York, a street photographer’s paradise; and London of course. Hedonistic Brighton and my hometown of Peterborough.

AD: What’s your favourite street photograph?

CP: I am slowly getting better at deleting and learning less is more. My acid test is from the great photo editor Harold Evans’s seminal book, Pictures On A Page ( which I highly recommend). Is it technically good, animated and interesting? My favourite graces the cover of my dog book, Barking! (inspired by Elliot Erwitt) and that picture fulfils all those criteria.

AD: What are you generally looking for in a street scene? 

CP: Sublime to the ridiculous, juxtapositions and humorous interactions that most of us miss as we rush by. I love the total unpredictability, spontaneity and never knowing what is around the next corner. Eccentric characters who stand out from the madding crowd such as my punks in the eighties. 

AD: As you tend to get close to your subjects, how do you deal  with them noticing you? Has anyone ever objected? 

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