Advice from Pedro Patricio
- The Global Photography Community
- Mar 7
- 3 min read
Storytelling in photography is about capturing the essence of a place, a moment, or a person. When I go out to shoot, I look beyond just the location itself; I try to capture the people and the atmosphere around me to truly convey what makes each scene unique. Empathy is essential in street photography; it helps you connect with your subjects and tell their stories in an authentic way. I’m especially drawn to the rhythm of daily life, particularly in spaces like trains, metros, and ferries, where people immerse themselves in their routines. To convey this fully, I often create a series of images, letting emotions unfold gradually rather than relying on a single frame. Over a 2-3 hour session, I’ll often capture up to 1,000 photos, which gives me a range of material to work with and allows for multiple narrative possibilities when editing.
My style has evolved through constant practice, inspiration from other art forms, and a deep exploration of color. I draw from cinema, literature, music, and visual art—not only photography. Each piece of inspiration helps me refine my approach, especially in choosing between color and black-and-white to enhance the emotion of each scene. My work blends classic photography with more abstract and experimental elements. While I aim for balanced, perfectly composed shots, I also embrace techniques like reflections and intentional camera movement to add layers of meaning. These methods help reveal surprising details about my subjects that might otherwise go unnoticed. When I photograph people, I like to work close up, especially if they make direct eye contact with the camera; this adds a rawness to the portrait that’s both powerful and natural. Street photography, to me, is the interplay between people and architecture—capturing both elements is key to conveying the full story of a place.
Emotion, especially, is at the heart of every compelling image. In street photography, you’re working with real, unposed moments, so before I start shooting, I spend time observing my surroundings. People’s expressions, gestures, and even subtle interactions with others can reveal a lot about what they’re feeling. To deepen the mood, I incorporate architectural elements, lighting, and sometimes even the weather to add layers of tone and texture to the scene. Early morning or late afternoon light, for example, brings a softness that can enhance the emotional impact of a shot. It’s important to always have your camera ready since genuine moments happen unexpectedly; sometimes a brief interaction with a subject can also bring out natural expressions that wouldn’t come through otherwise. Knowing the cultural context of where you’re shooting is valuable, too—it helps me capture more authentic and meaningful emotions.
If you’re interested in sharing your work with the world, exhibitions are a great avenue. I was fortunate to participate in two international group exhibitions this year: one in Milan and another in Athens, which included an award. Getting your work into exhibitions can happen in different ways; sometimes you’re directly invited, and other times you submit to contests. Keep in mind that some contests have entry fees and, if selected, you may need to pay for printing and framing costs. It’s a good idea to research reputable contests and understand any associated fees beforehand.
