Let me say this again, these are the seven thing I learned in doing street photography, and not tips in doing street photography.
1. Being more Thankful
We encounter a vast array of people, those with the dilemma of figuring out how to pay for the next meal and those who can afford to leave more than half of what they ate in a plate. We meet people that holds the door for us when our hands are too full to do them, we learn to be thankful for others who are there to point us to the right direction whenever we are lost in a new place, we learn to be thankful when a stranger engages in a friendly conversation and make the day a bit brighter.
2. Being more Connected
These days, people are most likely glued to the screens of their smartphones, tablets, and laptop computers rather than being truly connected. It's seldom you see a group of people talking to each other and basically interacting at a primal level. Some people often mistake being connected to the internet and "in touch" with their friends as being truly connected, rather it's that being too connected that we become blind of what is already in front of us. The simplest conversation between strangers may often, if not always, be fruitful in cultivating a relationship.
3. Being more Humble
As photographers, we encounter different people, different places with different cultures from walks of life. We learn that there are many other people who don't enjoy the luxury of having a camera and taking a snapshot of life. We share the moment and become story tellers of their lives and their happiness, joys, sorrows and struggles, that someway somehow they are heard and accepted.
4. Being more Careful
Being careful doesn't necessarily connect with theft, but also from the choice of subject matter. Not all places we go to are safe, and photographer-friendly, it is our responsibility to keep ourselves safe and away from harm. It is also our responsibility to capture and choose the subject matter that does not degrade humanity.
5. Being more Prepared
Weather is unpredictable, and so are some people. In an environment with a lot of uncontrollable variables and elements you need to be prepared for the unknown and uncertain. Weather is easy, you already know what you need when it comes to rain, dust, and all other elements; People are different, we just need to be more cautious, vigilant and aware of our surroundings.
6. Being more contented
We learn to accept to do with what we have, what we can, and with what we don't have. We tell a story with what we have, with the lens and the body, or simply with the system that we have, it is not about having the best gear, it is about being at the moment and capturing it. Life deals us with the cards that we need to play.
7. Being Happier
This is the aftereffect of being thankful and being contented. In a perfect world, we all can be happy, but this is not a perfect world, we have to learn to accept that not all things are in our control.
We always meet people in all walks of life, there are times that you feel you have the world's burden on your shoulder, but failing to realize that there are others who are doing much worst.