Photography for introverts

This article was originally published on https://medium.com/@phil.gal

Silent expression: photography for introverts

How I learned to express myself while staying true to my introversion.

Photo by author

This world is run by extroverts — friendly, loud, and expressive people; they like to socialize, have small talks, and tap shoulders. Their superpower is the ability to engage other people’s attention easily. Without leaving their comfort zone too much, they can deliver their point of view and build social networks to achieve their goals. They very much enjoy it.

What if you are not one of them? What if I am not one of them? Let’s put it straight: for us, introverts, living in a world full of extroverts is not easy, it is too loud. Imagine you spend a few hours at a rock concert and then want to speak to a person with a noticeably quiet voice. You would barely hear him because your ears have adapted to a different level of sound... Simply put, you’re a bit deaf now. An introvert in this scenario is like a quiet person at a rock concert, drowned out by the world’s noise.

Despite our quiet nature, we introverts have ambitions, wisdom, and creativity, and we have plenty to express. Just take a look at the list of famous introverts, which includes Albert Einstein, Frederic Chopin, Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, and even Elton John and Lady Gaga. These individuals achieved remarkable success despite their primarily inward focus.

Although these individuals found success in various fields, I believe there’s an ideal medium for introverts like us to explore the world and communicate with it.

Of course, I’m referring to photography.

Photo by author

My favorite genre is street photography. I enjoy looking for elusive moments that most people don’t see, but imagine if a random guy on the street suddenly starts shouting:

“Hey all, look at that mist!”

Photo by author

or “Look at those funny symmetrical twins!”,

Photo by author

or even something simple like “Wow, this light|composition|unexpected event is very beautiful|unusual|funny, check it out”.

Photo by author

I nonetheless want to share it with people because I know it can evoke emotions, trigger memories, or even provoke thought. If any of these reactions occur, my artistic side can rest assured.

And photography shines here. It provides me with the missing ‘communication’ puzzle piece that I need in my life. When I publish my images online and see some likes and comments, I feel connected to the world (although a homeopathically tiny part of it, but still). It makes me happy when the same image that resonated with me resonates with somebody else. More importantly, I can achieve creative goals while remaining within the confines of my comfort zone.

Ah, if only it were that simple. There is no doubt that to grow we must occasionally leave our comfort zones; we still need to go to work, talk to people, or even hang out from time to time. I could call it “spending social tokens”. This is where I learned to approach people, smile at strangers when necessary, and even ask for permission to photograph sensitive subjects. It’s a necessary skill in the German-speaking society I live in.

However, when I go outside to photograph, I can finally enjoy my favorite music through my earbuds or simply listen to the sounds of the city. I capture snapshots of the city, my memories, and the moments I experience. I share them, give away a part of my world, and receive feedback.

What’s still clinking in my pocket? My social tokens.

Photo of the author by his wife