One step at a time

Adam Schneideman

What pieces or projects have you been working on lately?
At the moment, I’m working on a street photography book that explores the many characters and stories in my hometown of Brisbane. The project is in its early stages, and I’m continuing to develop its identity each time I go out to shoot. I’m interested in underdogs and unique characters whom I want to bring to light.

At the same time, I’m a cinematographer working on music videos and commercials, with one of my recent works playing on ABC’s music video channel, RAGE.

What did you learn (or unlearn) while working on it?
Street photography is one of the most daunting and difficult mediums. You could be one second too early or too late, one step too close or too far, and the moment is lost forever. Then you have to deal with the constant changes in light, the people around you, the traffic and, of course, your subject. The fear of confrontation at the beginning can be paralysing, and I found myself constantly second-guessing everything. But I learnt that people are actually more willing to be photographed than I expected and, in many instances, don’t even notice.

At the beginning, I was very concerned with all the technical aspects of shooting, and I was losing sight of the moment and the characters. I decided to downsize to a 35mm point-and-shoot, which gave me the freedom to move and focus on the subjects rather than the camera.

The fear of not getting the shot began to outweigh the fear of confrontation, and slowly I was able to get closer and more personal.

What words, ideas or emotions were running through your head?
It’s a roller coaster of emotions. You can go from extreme boredom and wanting to quit after walking in circles for hours with nothing to show for it, and then suddenly something jumps out at you and it’s an instant burst of excitement, fear and adrenaline. It’s like a drug. Then, when you take the shot, that feeling carries you on. Once you spot the person or moment that sparks that feeling, it’s like you’re on autopilot.

Were there any conversations, movies, music, or books that made their way into that work?
There are some great YouTube videos following some of the giants of street photography, like Bruce Gilden, Garry Winogrand and Mark Cohen. Then there are Paulie B’s Walkie Talkies, which were a great influence.

What’s been the most difficult thing you’ve faced recently in your creative process?
The most difficult part is the amount of walking required with no success. It can be very discouraging, and in the Brisbane summertime, walking around in 34°C humid heat is borderline torture.

What is your favorite coffee shop and why do you like going there?
My favourite coffee shop is the Brookfield General Store. It was originally a teacher’s residence and was transformed into a café and store in 1871. It’s surrounded by nature and has local kookaburras that aren’t afraid to snag some leftovers.

Recommend one or more artists you follow who inspire you, and tell us what you like most about their work or their way of working.
Bruce Gilden, Mark Cohen, Daniel Arnold and Garry Winogrand are some of my main inspirations. I love their raw, unfiltered approach and the closeness with which they work. They are unwavering in their pursuit.