gramps
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I've taken loads of 'street' photos during the past year and most of them are rubbish. I don't apologise to myself, (or anyone else), for that as I just enjoy getting out and pursuing the enjoyable hobby that is photography.
I've watched a lot of YouTube videos and read a few books and come to the conclusion that so many 'street' photographers are as random as I am and some are quite bizarre - like the 'Roll of film in 10 minutes' challenge I spotted from one YouTube 'street' influencer.
One though recently admitted that a good 'street' photo was more being at the right place at the right time than anything else they were able to do themselves and I largely agree with that conclusion.
I pride myself on being alert when I am out and am always looking for photo opportunities to present themselves. I think that my main fault is that I am what many term a 'hunter' rather than a 'fisherman'; in other words I am constantly walking to different locations rather than working a scene - this is something I must challenge myself with in 2026.
Anyway, of all the many photos I took in 2025 there are half a dozen that I really like, so I thought that I would just show them again here.
For the most part I photograph in Bristol, Oxford & London - my favourite was in London...
1.
In September 2025 there was a large demonstration in London led by Tommy Robinson, an Anglican Bishop and many flag and cross-waving people protesting about immigration (amongst other things). It was a controversial march even before Elon Musk appeared on a video link and allegedly called for the removal of the UK Government. Many thousands of people came in support of Robinson, many times more than had been expected and this led to overflows from Whitehall into areas not scheduled for the march. A much smaller counter-protest was organised by 'Unite' union and they arranged to meet at Russell Square to commence the march to Whitehall and predictably many anti-immigration marchers chose to walk past this meeting point with their chants and Union Jack flags - there was a substantial Police presence.
Into this came a suited gent with a white flower in his buttonhole, striding through the scene seemingly oblivious to all that was going on around him - the scene was too good to miss, though a couple of 'chimping' togs did fail to spot it. You may think it rubbish but for me It was the winner of 2025.
Buttonhole by Bristol Streets, on Flickr
2.
In March 2025 I was also in London and spent a short period of time around one of the Underground stations, can't remember which one now (
) but it had some dark passages. I spotted this young boy holding his dads hand and suddenly he looked up at a woman walking toward him - the darkness made, for me, an interesting image.
The Look by Bristol Streets, on Flickr
3.
In February 2025 I did a Street Workshop in London with Matt Hall. It was a very informative workshop that I can highly recommend and very reasonably priced. It started with a meet-up at Liverpool Street Station and worked its was through the city toward Borough Market, where it concluded at the end of London Bridge. One of the places we paused at was near the LLoyds Building in Lime Street; there were some multi-coloured tube structures and they made an opportunity for a bit of colourful framing.
Colour framing by Bristol Streets, on Flickr
4.
At the same workshop we came across an interesting office near The Gherkin. The ground floor was well illuminated and gave a great opportunity for silhouette shots and it had a set of doors which, when opened automatically by staff walking through, turned red. I could have stayed there for hours trying different options but eventually a uniformed staff member came out and told us to 'move on', which we did.
The red door by Bristol Streets, on Flickr
5.
London again, earlier in February, I spent a little time in Chinatown as it was the Chinese New Year Festival with many dragons etc in procession. As with many such events, the most interesting shots can often come from time spent on the 'outside' or periphery of the event itself. Walking up Charing Cross Road before the event kicked off there were many spectators waiting to see the processions pass by. As I came to a fast food restaurant I noticed some young children on the inside, trying to look out of the window and I thought it made an interesting angle on the event.
Chinatown by Bristol Streets, on Flickr
6.
Back to Oxford and in March 2025 I was cutting through a back street which was split between deep shadow on one side and bright sunshine on the other. As I walked along I could see the light was causing many things passing to be silhouetted, but mostly there were too many cars/posts etc in the way. However, as I walked further along the street I noticed an isolated window with the shadow forming an angled gradient along the wall. As I stopped I could see an old man walking toward the window and then saw that he had a marked stoop. He made a perfect silhouette as he walked past me and his stoop made me think that he perhaps had 'the weight of the world on his shoulders'.
Weight of the world... by Bristol Streets, on Flickr
Acutely aware that Bristol didn't make it into my top six but maybe that's down to familiarity failing me.
Anyway, looking forward to many more opportunities in 2026.
I've watched a lot of YouTube videos and read a few books and come to the conclusion that so many 'street' photographers are as random as I am and some are quite bizarre - like the 'Roll of film in 10 minutes' challenge I spotted from one YouTube 'street' influencer.
One though recently admitted that a good 'street' photo was more being at the right place at the right time than anything else they were able to do themselves and I largely agree with that conclusion.
I pride myself on being alert when I am out and am always looking for photo opportunities to present themselves. I think that my main fault is that I am what many term a 'hunter' rather than a 'fisherman'; in other words I am constantly walking to different locations rather than working a scene - this is something I must challenge myself with in 2026.
Anyway, of all the many photos I took in 2025 there are half a dozen that I really like, so I thought that I would just show them again here.
For the most part I photograph in Bristol, Oxford & London - my favourite was in London...
1.
In September 2025 there was a large demonstration in London led by Tommy Robinson, an Anglican Bishop and many flag and cross-waving people protesting about immigration (amongst other things). It was a controversial march even before Elon Musk appeared on a video link and allegedly called for the removal of the UK Government. Many thousands of people came in support of Robinson, many times more than had been expected and this led to overflows from Whitehall into areas not scheduled for the march. A much smaller counter-protest was organised by 'Unite' union and they arranged to meet at Russell Square to commence the march to Whitehall and predictably many anti-immigration marchers chose to walk past this meeting point with their chants and Union Jack flags - there was a substantial Police presence.
Into this came a suited gent with a white flower in his buttonhole, striding through the scene seemingly oblivious to all that was going on around him - the scene was too good to miss, though a couple of 'chimping' togs did fail to spot it. You may think it rubbish but for me It was the winner of 2025.
Buttonhole by Bristol Streets, on Flickr
2.
In March 2025 I was also in London and spent a short period of time around one of the Underground stations, can't remember which one now (
) but it had some dark passages. I spotted this young boy holding his dads hand and suddenly he looked up at a woman walking toward him - the darkness made, for me, an interesting image.The Look by Bristol Streets, on Flickr
3.
In February 2025 I did a Street Workshop in London with Matt Hall. It was a very informative workshop that I can highly recommend and very reasonably priced. It started with a meet-up at Liverpool Street Station and worked its was through the city toward Borough Market, where it concluded at the end of London Bridge. One of the places we paused at was near the LLoyds Building in Lime Street; there were some multi-coloured tube structures and they made an opportunity for a bit of colourful framing.
Colour framing by Bristol Streets, on Flickr
4.
At the same workshop we came across an interesting office near The Gherkin. The ground floor was well illuminated and gave a great opportunity for silhouette shots and it had a set of doors which, when opened automatically by staff walking through, turned red. I could have stayed there for hours trying different options but eventually a uniformed staff member came out and told us to 'move on', which we did.
The red door by Bristol Streets, on Flickr
5.
London again, earlier in February, I spent a little time in Chinatown as it was the Chinese New Year Festival with many dragons etc in procession. As with many such events, the most interesting shots can often come from time spent on the 'outside' or periphery of the event itself. Walking up Charing Cross Road before the event kicked off there were many spectators waiting to see the processions pass by. As I came to a fast food restaurant I noticed some young children on the inside, trying to look out of the window and I thought it made an interesting angle on the event.
Chinatown by Bristol Streets, on Flickr
6.
Back to Oxford and in March 2025 I was cutting through a back street which was split between deep shadow on one side and bright sunshine on the other. As I walked along I could see the light was causing many things passing to be silhouetted, but mostly there were too many cars/posts etc in the way. However, as I walked further along the street I noticed an isolated window with the shadow forming an angled gradient along the wall. As I stopped I could see an old man walking toward the window and then saw that he had a marked stoop. He made a perfect silhouette as he walked past me and his stoop made me think that he perhaps had 'the weight of the world on his shoulders'.
Weight of the world... by Bristol Streets, on Flickr
Acutely aware that Bristol didn't make it into my top six but maybe that's down to familiarity failing me.
Anyway, looking forward to many more opportunities in 2026.
