Why repetition improves your street photography

April 2025

Blog #14

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On re...repeat

Repetition is the one the fundamentals in street photography in my opinion.

Why you might ask?

Because repetition made me a better street photographer over time, period.

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From low to high

2024 was a very productive street photography year for me after years of steady decline in excitement for street photography. I have been doing street photography for many years and it's normal that the pendulum of excitement swings between high and low or should I say between high highs and low lows (stock market lingo for the uninitiated).

I talk about the break that almost knocked me out in another post in more detail here.

Fast forward to May 2024 where I decided to buy a film camera - not just any film camera, but the ultimate film street photography camera, in my humble opinion.

The Leica M6 (2022 re-issue).

This stepped up the game for me yet again and like never before. I suddenly couldn't contain my excitement. I had to literally run out to do street photography. I was that excited and simultaneously fearful of losing it my newfound joy as quickly again.

Looking back what actually happened was part of a larger rediscovery of street photography. I found myself liking the process of re-learning street photography all over again as I was learning shooting with film.

This eventually lead to going a daily photowalks that I still try to maintain to this day as much as I can.

But going on daily photowalks was not the only contributing factor. The other fact was what I call "my regular beat" - a familiar place or stretch of street that I go to... over and over.

The definition of insanity often comes to mind; "Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results". Somedays days this is so true.

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I went to the same place over and over

I live in central Copenhagen and the distance to the heart of Copenhagen is less than 10 minutes away and even less on bike.

But my favorite spot to do street photography is my immediate neighbourhood. It's a stretch of street less than 2km in a straight line. 9 out of 10 times I pick this place when I want to do street photography - I would go there over and over.

Just imagine how many time that is if you do street photography every single day for 3-4 months.... well it's a lot.

To be honest I don't know why I feel the need to go to the same place over and over. Maybe because I'm lazy, maybe because I feel a sense of closeness with this particular neighbourhood or maybe because I feel secure and confident, maybe it's all of it.

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Repetition is key

Let me explain it simply with an overused example. Imagine wanting to become super strong like muscular.

What do most if not all personal trainers and alike say: repetition is key. Get as many reps in as possible in order for those muscles to grow and of course workout consistently to see results.

In street photography it's essentially the same logic or principle. If you want to become better at street photography - then you gotta put in the reps. Making it a habit.

It's fine if you are just casually dabbling with street photography maybe 1-2 times a month,

BUT don't expect any major change in skills unless you are one of those gifted and rare people that can do anything without much effort.

But where's the fun in that, right?

I think most people forget that many things in life like learning a new skills is equal parts consistency, persistence and repetition.. I would put obsession in there for me as well.

Simply put, hard work pays off. These ingredients can make any skill-less person better.. eventually.

Anyways back to my regular beat.

First of all I enjoy going to the same place over and over because I like the stark contrast of the neighbourhood that this particular environment provides. I wouldn't be exaggerating if I said the contrast is quite dramatic in fact.

On the one end its all hipster cafes with good looking people enjoying the good life and on the other end it's complete opposite - it suddenly becomes a very rough area. A area known for its drug use, homeless people and ladies of the night at every corner.

For me this area provides everything I ever want when doing street photography because of of this key factor; I never know what I will get to photograph on the day.

It changes so dramatically everytime I go out. I don't know what I will come home with.

This is the reason I go to the same place over and over. I capture something new every single time.

The second reason is that I love a good challenge. I consider going to the same place over and over a huge challenge.

I consistently push myself to see things differently every single time I go out. As I mentioned before, I've seen the same composition and layout many times. If I closed my eyes I would probably be able to tell you the entire layout of the neighbourhood by heart.. scary right.

For me it's a challenge to try to capture a photograph that I have already photographed numerous times in a new way, in a new light, from a new perspective and with a fresh new mindset.

I believe that is the main reason why repetition is key. Because it make me as a street photographer work for it.

I have to be creative, I have to be able to imagine the same composition in new ways and come up with creative workarounds to the same problems ... you guessed it.. over and over.

That is the hidden power of repetition in street photography!