Larry Hallegua – Story of a Teacher who sold his DSLR to become a Wonderful Street Photographer

Meet Larry Hallegua, a teacher in a primary school at China and on the other hand masters street photography to the extreme. Larry remembers that he once sold his huge DSLR to the likes of handling a simpler and stealthy weapon like Fuji X100 which is definitely handy in terms of street photography.

Speaking about Larry’s Photographs, there is abundant scope of composition and marvelous characters in each and every frame he shoots. The Colors and intense scenarios with crafted decisive moments make them really special. Just like how Larry quotes, its all about having your own eye to find and appreciate a beautiful thing happening on the streets.

Take a look at this wonderful portfolio.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and how did this love for photography happen?

I’m from the UK, although I’ve been living in China for the past year, teaching English full-time in a primary school. I’m also a member of Observe, an international collective of 13 photographers focused primarily in the practice of candid street photography.

I stumbled into street photography around the end of 2011, like so many others, it happened after picking up a Henri Cartier Bresson book and being blown away. I decided to give street photography a committed attempt as I embarked on a 7 month trip to Lima, and thought this would be a good opportunity to try and practice. So, I sold my Canon digital SLR in favour of the smaller, more discreet, Fuji x100, and thus, my addiction began.

My knowledge of photography up till that point consisted of family/friend snaps and holiday photos, the usual stuff. I had experimented with a couple of 80’s manual slrs, the Minolta xd11 and the x700 and purchased numerous lenses and read a couple of books to get the basics, but that was all. However, I do remember when I was younger I used to snap strangers, with cameras my sisters and I were given by my mum, maybe some of my addiction started then, but then there was a very big hiatus. : )

What mostly catches your eye in streets?

That’s hard to say. I follow my instinct a lot, and that can turn on at anytime, in response to many different things.

For Larry, what does it take to make a good photograph?

That can be answered in many ways. Erm….I’d say being true to your eyes, and making something which is beautiful as well as meaningful!

Your favorite photographers?

From contemporary to masters there are too many to list, and I wouldn’t want to leave any out, but among the legends, I like very much the works of Winogrand and Koudelka and of recent, Parr and Alec Soth.

Your gear?

Currently a Fuji x100s. I also have a Leica M2, with a 50mm lens, but rarely use it, as I prefer the 35mm distance. If money and convenience wasn’t an issue, I’d buy a 35mm lens and shoot film all the time, instead of digital.

Your favorite photography quote?

A Charles Chaplin quote : “Life is a tragedy when seen in close-up, but a comedy in long-shot.”

Any advice for aspiring photographers?

Practice as much as you can, open your eyes, be amazed and be ready. I carry my camera around with me as much as possible, but I also set aside time to shoot, weather and my mood permitting that is! Also, be true to yourself as well as learn from the best! I don’t go out looking for particular subjects, if something interests me, I will shoot it. However, I think there are patterns or themes which one can see in some of my shots, and my personality or even mood on the day may play a big part in what I see and feel when shooting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can find Larry Hallegua on the Web :

• Website
• Observe Collective
• Flickr
• Facebook

Copyrights:
All the pictures in this post are copyrighted Larry Hallegua. Their reproduction, even in part, is forbidden without the explicit approval of the rightful owners.