An event I’d always wanted to photograph was London Pride, I just thought the colours, the outfits, the people it must be amazing, a street photographer’s dream come true. But for me, it was a living nightmare I hated every second of it, so much so that I deleted all but 6 photos.
Why you might ask
For me (and remember this is only my opinion) it was just too easy and too hard. It was too easy because everything is right there in front of you, it's like shooting fish in a barrel, but the downside is 100s of other photographers are getting the same kind photos as you, so you end up with nothing unique.
Now you would think (like I did) that with thousands of people taking part in the parade and watching you might be able to find something unique, but it's almost impossible because you can’t move and you can’t see what’s around you. I also hate how people behave when they attend big street events like Pride!, Everyone is pushing and there is no regard for the person next to them. Within an hour of arriving, I wanted out and there in lies my next problem, once you're in there is no way out. Once you get away from Regent Street (the route of the parade) you still can’t escape the event or the people, I had to walk for miles to even cross the road. The experience of pride left me feeling angry and upset, this was not how I thought my day was going to be.
My advice for any street photographer out there that is thinking of shooting a street event is simple!! Don't! I won’t be photographing any events like pride in the future.
All in all for me at least street photography and street events don’t mix.
