In The Zone - Jargon Explained

In the zoneproceedings. There are no photo faces; it's almost as if
In the zone is a term used by street photographersthe photographer is invisible.
when they are tuned into their surroundings and theCanadian street photographer John Brownlow talks
pictures are coming easily.about going blank, he surveys the scene through his
It isn't unique to street photography, it can happen incamera until he goes blank and that is when he
any field of endeavour. You are in the zone when youpresses the shutter.
are so engrossed in an activity that space and timeWith painting, writing or gaming it can last for
seem to stand still. What seems like minutes to youconsiderable amounts of time, with street photography
can be hours in the real world. It is that place whereit tends to be fleeting but can happen several times in
you are doing rather than thinking about doing, there isa shoot. It is the dynamic of the street, the ever
no thought about the how, it is just happening.changing kaleidoscope of activity, and the nature of
Intuition is in the driver's seat, training, knowledge,photography, the captured moment in time, that make
experience and rational thought are at the back of theit so.
bus. More than likely playing strip poker or engaged inBut it is in those moments that the inspirational pics
some other childish pursuit.happen. Although this is not apparent until later, when
It is the street photographer's nirvana. They are onelooking through the results of your walk, because
with the street. They are part of and at the same timerational thought is losing their shirt at the back of the
removed from the activity that is happening. They arebus.
the objective viewer of the dance they are dancing.When a street photographer takes their camera for a
Their presence is integral to the action and acceptedwalk, this is their destination.
by the other participants without influencing the