The image I’m sharing with you today is Part 1 of my Mistakes Series. It was taken in Shoreditch, or possibly Hoxton, East London. It’s one of those shots that didn’t go to plan but somehow turned out to be one of my favourites. And it’s got me thinking: are photography “mistakes” really mistakes at all?
The Beauty of the Unplanned
Originally, my intention was to freeze the motion and catch the subject sharp and clear. But I shoot fully manual, and in the rush of the moment, I’d forgotten what my settings were. I didn’t want to miss the scene unfolding in front of me, so I just pressed the shutter. The result? A soft blur of movement, energy and spontaneity.
At first, I considered it a throwaway. But the more I looked, the more I saw something real. Something present. This image captures a feeling. Wind in her hair. Coffee in hand. The streets buzzing in the background. I couldn’t have planned it better.
Lessons from the Greats
Mistakes in photography are nothing new and certainly nothing to be ashamed of. Some of the greatest street photographers in history embraced them. Garry Winogrand, a massive inspiration for my own work, often shot without even developing his film rolls straight away. In fact, over 2,500 undeveloped rolls were discovered after his death, many of which are now seen as some of his finest work.
Winogrand didn’t obsess over perfection. He welcomed missed focus, motion blur, crooked frames. To him, those elements were real life. The unpredictability, the chaos, the beauty of the everyday.
Even Henri Cartier-Bresson, known for capturing the so-called decisive moment, admitted that many of his best shots were happy accidents. Sometimes he didn’t even fully register what was in front of him. He simply trusted his instinct, reacted and let the camera do its part.
My Journey: From West to East to the Sea
I began my street photography journey in 2011 when I was living in West London. As a foreigner in a new city, it was intimidating. You often hear that Londoners don’t speak to each other and are always in a rush. So I set out to see for myself.
Now, in March 2025, after 14 years of documenting this city and its people, I can say with confidence that most Londoners are far more open than their reputation suggests. If they have time, many are happy to be photographed or even approached for a chat. In all those years, I’ve only ever had two negative encounters. Just two.
In 2023, I left London and moved to Hove, part of Brighton and Hove. A new chapter, a new rhythm, but the same curiosity and love for capturing real human moments.
The Power of Intention
I believe that as photographers, our intentions matter, and people can sense them. There’s a psychological phenomenon called emotional contagion which suggests that we subconsciously absorb and reflect the emotions and energies of those around us. It’s why you might feel uneasy when someone is looking at you with bad intentions, even if they haven’t said a word.
When your purpose is honest, people pick up on that. When you’re truly present, curious and respectful, most people respond positively. That’s been my experience over and over again.
Embracing the Imperfect
So no, I don’t chase perfection. I chase presence. I chase instinct. I chase those beautiful, fleeting, unpredictable moments that make photography such a powerful and moving medium. Mistakes? I prefer to call them unintentional truths.
If you’re not making mistakes, you’re not taking chances. And in both art and life, that’s exactly where the magic happens.
If you'd like to see more from my Mistakes Series, or learn more about how I approach photography, consider subscribing to my newsletter. Each month, one subscriber will be chosen to receive a free print, hand-delivered by me if you are local to Brighton and Hove.
I’d love to hear your thoughts. What’s your take on mistakes in photography? Have you ever captured something unexpected that turned out better than you imagined?
Drop a comment below and let’s talk about it.