Harvesting Moments
Parallels Between Farming Wisdom and Street Photography
My grandfather didn’t know how to read or write, yet he and my grandmother managed to raise seven children together. He passed away from lung cancer, likely due to years of working in a mill and inhaling the debris from flour production.
Before getting that job, he and my grandmother worked in the countryside for years, from picking grapes to preparing the soil and planting vegetables. I was too young to get to know him well, one of the few memories I have of him is him cleaning his shoes with a tiny brown toothbrush. Despite living on a dusty street, his shoes were always shiny. Most of what I know about him comes from my parents—especially my father, who had immense respect for him. Surprisingly, I didn’t hear much about him from my mother, his own daughter.
My dad often told me my grandfather had a unique kind of knowledge. He knew when to trim trees and sow crops by following the moon cycles. He could predict the weather by looking at the clouds or feeling the wind’s direction, and he could guess the size of a future harvest by examining the shapes of tree branches. By today’s standards, he would be considered illiterate, often relying on his children or friends for any paperwork or bureaucracy. It wasn’t easy for him, but he knew a lot—though not the kind of knowledge valued by capitalist systems. Yet, if the world suddenly descended into chaos, he and my grandmother would have survived with ease.
Is there any parallel between a farmer’s practice and my work as a street photographer?
Harvesting Moments
Street photography, much like harvesting crops, involves observation, patience, and selection. A street photographer moves through the world with open eyes, carefully gathering moments and stories from everyday life, similar to how a farmer prepares the land and waits for the right moment to harvest. Timing is essential, and this sense of capturing the perfect moment makes street photography so dynamic and rewarding—just like a successful harvest.
Patience and Perseverance
A good harvest requires patience, and so does street photography (a lot of patience, in fact!). I often spend hours walking, waiting for a single, meaningful moment to appear, only to return home with nothing worthy. Perseverance is key—just as a farmer endures unpredictable weather and challenging conditions, photographers must adapt to the constant flow of the streets, knowing that eventually, patience will pay off with a great shot.
Selection and Curation
Not every crop in a field is perfect, and similarly, not every photograph taken on the street tells a compelling story. Both the farmer and the photographer must carefully curate, selecting only the best. A strong photograph, like a well-chosen crop, stands out, ready to be shared and appreciated. This process of refinement and selection transforms simple images into powerful narratives.
Seasonality and Change
The environment plays a significant role in both farming and street photography. A farmer’s harvest is affected by the changing seasons, and similarly, a photographer’s work is shaped by shifting conditions—whether it’s the time of day, the weather, or local events. The early morning light or the midday buzz of a market can define the stories we "harvest" from the streets. Much like farmers, we have no choice but to play by the world’s rules, making adaptation an essential skill, even when nothing seems to be “happening“.
Observation and Awareness
Just as a farmer must understand the land and crops to know when to harvest, a street photographer needs to be deeply in tune with his surroundings. A good photographer pays attention to subtle human behaviours, often predicting moments before they happen by observing the flow of life, traffic, and the overall atmosphere of the street. Through observation and connection, we can capture images that reflect the essence of a place or culture.
In essence, street photography is an act of harvesting—gathering unique, fleeting moments from the world around us and preserving them through the lens. It requires patience, observation, and a careful eye to reveal the stories hidden in the everyday.
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Great piece Eduardo!
Very nice Eduardo