Street photography in my back yard

In 2021, our endeavour to host a Street Photography competition elicited an unexpectedly enthusiastic response from our readers. The sheer volume of submissions showcased a remarkable standard of creativity and photographic prowess, making the selection of a winner a formidable challenge. Nevertheless, amidst this sea of exceptional entries, a singular image managed to rise above the rest. The acclaimed winner was none other than Hans Wahlgren, hailing from Sweden, whose captivating photograph not only caught our collective eye but also earned him the well-deserved recognition as the competition winner.

We’ve kept in touch ever since, and it was a pleasant surprise when Hans told us about the release of his book, SPIMBY, an acronym for “Street Photography In My Back Yard”.

With more than 200 pages, this book illustrates Hans Wahlgren’s unique approach to photography. Unlike many photographers who seek inspiration through travel, Wahlgren finds his artistic muse in the familiar surroundings of his neighbourhoods.

His perspective on street photography is akin to a high-speed sport, capturing moments that deviate from the expected. The streets become a dynamic theatre stage where the unexpected unfolds. Wahlgren reflects on the swift nature of these moments, stating, ‘The moment comes like a snail but disappears like a lightning bolt.’

Delving into the subway as a distinct stage, he explores the societal paradox of personal space versus the unavoidable proximity in this environment. Wahlgren notes the cultural discomfort in crowding around strangers, a departure from the preference for personal space. In this encapsulated subway world, individuals create bubbles, using newspapers or books in the past and other modern means to shut out the external world.

Wahlgren’s ‘Spimby’ offers a fascinating glimpse into his distinctive street photography philosophy and his ability to capture the essence of unexpected moments within the familiar backdrop of his surroundings.

Hans Wahlgren uses simple and compact camera setups, favouring the Fujifilm X-E3 or X-M1 with XF16mm F/2.8 or XF27mm F/2.8 lenses. Preferring wide angles for proximity, he often shoots with a wide-open aperture to achieve a shallow depth of field. Shutter speeds range from 1/8 for intentional blur to 1/1000 for freezing the action, with Auto ISO ensuring correct exposure. While capturing in colour and saving as JPG, Wahlgren converts his images to black and white using Silver EFEX Pro.

To buy the physical book:
www.bod.se/bokshop/spimby-hans-wahlgren-9789177855750

To contact Hans for a pdf version or just for comments: hans.wahlgren@wbi.se