King of the Streets by Eric Davidove
My photo project is a collection of candid moments from the King of the Streets annual event in the Mission District, San Francisco. The Mission is one of the oldest and most exuberant neighbourhoods in San Francisco. This is an evolving neighbourhood with Latino roots and a hipster vibe, brilliant artwork, and beautiful architecture. The moments are fleeting, inconsequential, and sometimes appear to be hardly real. They would have been gone instantly, like a dream that vanishes soon after waking, had it not been for me and my camera.
My many years as a street mime have strongly influenced my photographic voice. I learned how to anticipate and respond to human behaviour to make people laugh. So it’s no surprise that many of my street photos are decisive and quirky.
As a street photographer, I hunt for candid moments without preconceived notions or project plans. Instincts and subconsciousness are my guide. My photos were varied when I started as a street photographer. Over time, my photographic voice has become more defined, consistent, distinct, and recognizable.
The meditative process of street photography and being present have been, and continue to be, the most attractive things for me. I try not to worry about how people will judge my work or how many good photos I get at the end of a shooting day. There are several shooting days when I don’t even get a good photo. That’s fine with me as long as I learned, had fun, and exercised.
Many people wander through urban centres, engrossed in their phones, making calls, or listening to music without being fully present at the moment. I want my photos to inspire people to pay more attention when they’re out and about. To be present without wanting to be somewhere else, without being in their head or lost in thought. That’s when life is more real.
