Tips on Mastering Street Photography by Jelmer Bijsmans

Street photography can feel intimidating. How do you approach your subject, and how do you even spot good scenes? We handed a roll of Berlin Kino B&W ISO 400 film to Jelmer Bijsmans, a passionate street photography enthusiast. Today, he's here to share his results and offer some valuable tips for those just starting their street photography journey!

Hi Jelmer, welcome to Lomography Magazine! Could you start by telling us a bit about yourself?

My name is Jelmer. I’m 35 and born in Amsterdam, living in Baarn. (between Utrecht and Amsterdam) I live with my three kids and girlfriend. I started photography at the age of 18 on my Nikon EM and the cheapest film rolls I could find. Loved everything about it even though I didn’t understand any of it. I think I've come a long way by now!

How would you describe your photography style? What inspires you?

My style nowadays is a combination of portrait, street and documentary photography. I get inspired by the same genres. I read photobooks, watch YouTube and search the internet on any information I can enrich myself on. Some of the photobooks that inspired me: Harry Gruyeart – Morocco, Peter Lindsberg (any), Helmut Newton (any), The Suffering of Light - Alex Webb. Daido Moriyama (any).

You tried our Berlin Kino B&W film film – what do you enjoy about black and white photography? And what did you think of the Berlin film?

Black and white is never boring. NEVER. Where color can me a bit dull sometimes, black and white never is. It makes me focus on just light and shadow, plus interaction.

Berlin Kino is fun to shoot. Love the 400 ISO and I even pushed it to 800 and developed it at home at 800 too. I noticed it has grain! And oh I love grain. Due to the push, I get even more noticeable grain and stronger shadows. Exactly what I love. There wasn’t much post-processing and all 36 came out consistent!

Can you tell us a bit more about where and what you decided to photograph with the Berlin Kino film?

I decided to go out on one of the last Summer days we had in Amsterdam. Started off at Amsterdam Central and worked my way through the city walking to the station in the East. What was I photographing? Of course the streets, people of Amsterdam, tourists, anything that caught my interest.

What’s your approach to street photography?

I walk quickly through the city. Scanning everything around me, what’s going to happen and try to anticipate. I look for interactions, funny details, cool people. Something must happen in the frame that catches your eye and makes you look longer.

Has street photography ever led you into an unusual situation or memorable interaction that you can share with our community?

I had once a man who, after the picture, came up to me and asked me to delete the picture, but, taken on film, that was impossible. He asked me to take out the film. I answered; "You know what, I'll wind back one frame, take another picture and then your picture will be exposed so bad that both pictures will be unusable". He agreed and I took another one of him, haha. Just make sure you show your intentions, be happy and not sneaky. Smile while doing it, don’t look away.

Do you have a favorite shot from your experience with the Berlin Kino film?

Oof hard choice! I love the dude with the 'I Love Amsterdam' shirt, classic tourist, framing is nice. Or the dude with the prison overalls and chain around his neck. I also like the women with the face paint of a tiger or the older women with the walker, the flowers and the dog somewhere between that all. Classic local!

But if I have to choose one favorite, it’s the older man in the window. Love the highlights and dark shadows. Man and street marker frame up nicely.

Do you have any tips for people who want to get into street photography?

Just go out and shoot! Get your favorite film, load up and start walking. See what is interesting to you. If you like it just shoot it. Don’t think to much. Try to look for a deeper layer than the persons walking by. Look for interactions, light and shadow, moments. Don’t be scared, just smile and have fun, give people a compliment after shooting their picture.

What’s left on your photography bucket list?

Maybe it’s more of a general bucket list, but I’d love to visit Japan, India, China, or the States. Of course, my camera would be my constant companion!

Thank you Jelmer! Make sure to follow Jelmer on Instagram if you like his work!

Get your own roll of Berlin Kino B&W film in our shop if you like the look, and don't forget to share your street photography gems with us on your LomoHome!

written by lomocato on 2024-12-28 #gear #people #black-and-white #street-photography #berlin-kino-b-w-iso-400