I believe everyone who’s even remotely interested in street photography is familiar with the concept of the decisive moment. Henri Cartier-Bresson is best known for it, but some modern-day photographers are also flawless in capturing the perfect moment.
One of these photographers is Anthimos Ntagkas. His street photos are filled with unexpected juxtapositions that create intriguing, captivating, and often humorous stories. His work gives a new meaning to the “decisive moment,” so I reached out to learn more about it and share his splendid photos with DIYP readers.
Why street photography?
Anthimos was born in Athens, Greece, in 1979. He graduated from the Military Academy and currently works in the Greek army. Since 2014, he has been experimenting with street photography. He told DIYP that he’d always wanted to start photography as a hobby, but didn’t know where to start. “I didn’t know anything about street photography, but by looking at other people’s work, I got excited and wanted to be a part of it.”
The possibilities and themes in street photography are endless, so Anthimos’s interest in the craft hasn’t decreased in almost a decade. On the contrary! Getting out there and taking photos fuels his love for street photography and sparks enduring excitement.
Anthimos’s process
I was curious about how Anthimos approaches street photography. Does he have favorite locations and times of the day? Does he take photos every day? He told me that, he first started taking photos, he would find a place in the streets that he liked and wait for people to come by. But this has changed as he has progressed and honed his skill. “Nowadays, I don’t choose the place; instead, I make every location work for me. I combine people with elements wherever I stand.”
“The photographs that I find most interesting are the ones with juxtaposition,” Anthimos tells DIYP. “The connection between two different themes or even more inside one photo is very intriguing to work with.”
He says that he’s influenced by many photographers who share his affinity for this genre. However, he always tries to do something completely different in his work. “Each and every time.” What’s more, you are more than a photographer who waits and presses the shutter. You need a vision, an idea; you need to know how to look at the world around you and combine its elements in the photo. I’d say you also need to be a bit of a psychologist and a lot of an empath. After all, it’s people you’re photographing in those lively city streets.
The gear
I asked Anthimos if he had a preferred camera for his street photos. I assumed he didn’t use a heavy, bulky camera and lens combo, as they’re neither discreet nor easy to carry around all day. And I was right: he uses the Ricoh GR camera. “It’s very small and automatic,” says Anthimos, “which makes me more comfortable and also the people I photograph.”
I leave you now to enjoy Anthimos’s fantastic photos. Make sure to follow him on Instagram, where you’ll find plenty more!
FIND THIS INTERESTING? SHARE IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS!