Image by Joris Hermans
At Panorist University we want to bring you closer to professional photography, so we are going to do a series of interviews with some of the best known street photographers worldwide.
Interview wih Joris Hermans
In our first interview we talk with Joris Hermans photographer and youtuber.
How did you decide to become a photographer?
Very weird story. I’ve actually studied IT first and finished it but in my last year, I realized it was not what I wanted to do. So, after my graduation, I started looking for something else and a friend of mine had just finished studying photography at the time. I found it fascinating and I decided to give it a try. Now, you should know that I had never touched a camera before my first class but I loved it from day one
Do you have formal training as a photographer?
I graduated from photography college in Antwerp in 2009. Back then, there was only one university in Belgium where you didn’t have to complete an entrance exam or test for photography so that’s where I signed up. In my last year, I added videography to my curriculum and I actually did an internship in a tv studio, not in a photography studio.
Do you prefer to take street photography in your city or while travelling?
I live in a small town 30 mins away from Antwerp. When I was studying and living there, I went out to shoot street photography a lot but where I’m living now, it’s not ideal for street photography, a bit too boring for my taste. That’s why I prefer to combine travel and street photography now. I really enjoy adding the extra layer of new cultures, foreign architecture and interesting faces. In a lot of countries, the streets is where everything happens.
For the past two years, I’ve been traveling full time and because I always travel on a budget, I walk a lot so street photography is always important when I travel.
About street photography, What do people starting out need to know?
Not much. You can shoot street photography with just about any camera and there are lots of different styles of street photography. It’s a matter of going out there and start shooting. Find out what interests you in the streets.
What do you look for, when you go shoot street photography?
I’m pretty much always looking for people. Interesting faces, clothes, interactions… it doesn’t really matter. Besides that, I also like to look for filmic/cinematic backgrounds. The right kind of light and atmosphere. A lot of times when I like a background or location, it looks like it could be a movie set. There has to be something intriguing about it, visually interesting. A desolate location, impressive architecture, beautiful light…
What is most challenging about street photography?
For me, the first hour is always difficult. I need some time to get “in the zone” and find my confidence. Once that first hour has passed, it’s all fun.
Have you ever received complaints because of a street photography photo?
There’s just one time that I can remember. In Las Vegas, two years ago, I saw an interesting interaction between one of those guys dressed up as a Storm Trooper from Star Wars and a “client”. They patrol the streets in Las Vegas and people can take a selfie with them… for money… which I didn’t know at the time.
I looked at them, showed my camera and asked if it was OK. They said “Yes.” I snapped the photo and walked away. The Storm Trooper all of a sudden came after me and told me that I owed him $20 for that photo. Before I could say anything, he started calling me names and things like that. Now, normally, if I take a photo of someone and they didn’t like it, I’m more than happy to delete the photo but he was such an asshole so I flipped him off and walked away.
What makes a good shooting day for you?
Just one good photo makes a good shooting day but sometimes I don’t even need that. A great story or conversation with someone can make up for a mediocre photo. I love to combine written words with photos, especially portraits.
What type of editing software do you like to use for your completed photographs, and what do you like about it?
I use Photoshop with the Camera RAW plugin. I like it because I’m used to it. It’s what we used in photography college and I like that you can take it to the next level in Photoshop for specific projects.
In what kind of street pictures do you think editing is most important?
I think editing is important in all photography. It’s like a painter using a specific technique or paint. It’s part of your style and storytelling. A Lot of times, when I start a project, I already have a specific look in my head. Color tones, contrast, mood, atmosphere. Light, composition and subject are important but photo editing is equally important. It’s the icing on the cake.
Get to know more of his work at jorishermans.com . Joris has also a Youtube chanel where you can learn more from him. Take a look at the following video:
