A modern metropolis is not just a collection of buildings and roads; it is a living, constantly changing organism that shapes the behavior and daily lives of millions. For a photographer and documentarian, the city is an invaluable archive where every corner, every sign, and every interaction carries the imprint of time. The goal of the expert resource bur4ik.ru is to provide tools for consciously capturing these changes. In this article, we will delve into how to photographically document the fundamental shift in the daily life (everyday routines) and morals (social traditions) of city dwellers, comparing them with the recent past.
Photographing Time: How the Metropolis Has Changed Our Daily Life and Morals
The concepts of “daily life” and “morals” are inextricably linked but require different approaches to capture. Daily life refers to the material aspects of existence: clothing, transport, architecture, consumption methods. Morals, on the other hand, form the invisible framework: norms of behavior, communication methods, attitudes towards public space and time. Comparing these two elements in the context of the past (e.g., 20-30 years ago) and the present allows for the creation of a deep and multi-layered photo document.
The main change that needs to be captured is speed. The modern metropolis demands instant adaptation, which inevitably leads to the standardization of daily life (global brands, typical housing) and changes in morals (emphasis on individualism and digital interaction).
- Daily Life: From local economies to global consumption. In photographs, this manifests in the disappearance of small workshops and the emergence of chain coffee shops.
- Morals: From collective leisure (parks, cinemas) to individual digital consumption (smartphones, headphones). This is noticeable in shots of public transport or waiting areas.
Daily Life Yesterday and Today: What to Capture in Photos?
To effectively compare the daily life of different eras, a photographer must focus on the points of contact between people and urban infrastructure. These points are ideal subjects for documentary photography as they clearly demonstrate technological and social progress.
Transport and Mobility
Comparing modes of transportation is one of the most powerful visual techniques. If public transport was once a place of forced close contact, today it is a space where everyone is isolated by their gadgets.
- Past: Tram and trolleybus tickets, paper maps, queues at metro ticket offices.
- Present: Face or smartphone payment for rides, electric scooters, car-sharing, complete “digitalization” of passengers.
Consumption and Trade
Retail outlets are a mirror of daily life. Our relationship with food, clothing, and services has changed dramatically. When photographing markets and shops, it is essential to look for contrasts.
Subjects for comparison:
- Markets: Compare the atmosphere of old, noisy, disorganized food markets with modern gastronomic clusters.
- Clothing: Photograph people who still use string bags or “grandma’s” shopping carts against the backdrop of shop windows with minimalist bags from expensive brands.
- Delivery: Couriers in bright uniforms rushing through old, dilapidated courtyards are the quintessence of modern daily life.
Morals and Traditions: How Are Social Interactions Changing?
Capturing morals requires greater skill, as it involves photographing behavior rather than objects. The main shift in the morals of a metropolis is the transition from publicity to privacy in public spaces.
Public vs. Private
The metropolis imposes certain rules of conduct that allow millions of people to coexist in a limited territory. In the past, these rules included more active verbal interaction and a willingness to help. Today, morals dictate the need to avoid contact.
- Capturing Communication: Look for the contrast between elderly people talking on a bench (old morals) and young people sitting nearby but communicating only through screens (new morals).
- Attitude towards Waiting: In the past, waiting (in line, at a bus stop) was a time for observation or casual conversation. Today, it is time filled with content (watching videos, playing games).
- Boundaries of Personal Space: How do people react to physical proximity during rush hour? Modern morals require avoiding eye contact and creating a “mental shield.”
Expert Tip: To capture morals, use shooting from a height or from a distance. This allows you to create context and show how a person fits (or doesn’t fit) into the crowd.
Photography Techniques for Conveying the Atmosphere of Time
To create a convincing comparison of past and present, it’s not enough to just take two pictures. You need to use artistic and technical techniques that emphasize the difference in atmosphere and the perception of time.
1. “Layering” and Overlay Technique
Photograph objects from the past (old stucco, Soviet mosaics) through objects from the present (reflections in the glass of a modern business center, a passing electric car). This creates a visual dialogue between eras.
2. Color vs. Monochrome
- Past: Often perceived better in monochrome or with muted, sepia tones. This creates a sense of historical distance and nostalgia.
- Present: Shoot in bright, saturated colors. Emphasis on neon signs, clean lines of glass and concrete will highlight the dynamism and sterility of modern life.
3. Use of Light and Shadow
The past in a metropolis is often associated with shadows and drama (e.g., shooting in the “beams” of old streetlights or in the dim light of stairwells). The present is often the diffused, even light of shopping malls or the bright, cold light of LED screens, which erases shadows.
4. Juxtaposition (Contrasting Comparison)
This is the most effective method for this theme. Photograph a person using an old payphone booth (if one still exists) against a billboard with the latest smartphone. Or a grandmother selling greens “from hand,” next to a vending machine.
Location Scouting: Where to Find Traces of the Past in a Modern City?
The metropolis skillfully masks its past under a layer of new asphalt and glass, but traces of former morals and daily life can always be found if you know where to look. A photographer must become an archaeologist searching for artifacts of everyday life.
Locations Where Time Slows Down
These places preserve old morals because their functions have not changed drastically, or because they have not been renovated.
- Old Courtyards and Archways: Ideal places for photographing daily life – they preserve the tradition of “courtyard” communication, which has almost disappeared in new districts.
- Food Markets and Flea Markets: These are oases where old trading traditions are preserved (bargaining, direct communication, product display). Compare them with impersonal supermarkets.
- Private Sector Districts (Outskirts): Daily life changes more slowly here. Photograph the contrast between satellite dishes on old wooden houses.
- Technical Objects: Old telephone booths, fire hydrants, street signs made in an old style.
Working with Architectural Layers
The modern city is often a layered cake. Photograph a new facade built over pre-revolutionary walls. Look for contrasts in materials: wrought iron (past) versus titanium and glass (present).
Photo Project ‘Daily Life and Morals’: From Idea to Implementation
The theme of comparing eras is ideal for creating a long-term photo project. A well-structured project will allow for the fullest exploration of the depth of changes in urban society.
Project Implementation Stages
- Choosing a Focus (Thesis): Don’t try to cover everything. Choose a narrow theme, such as: “The Evolution of Leisure” or “How Waiting for Public Transport Has Changed.” A narrow focus makes the project more convincing.
- Visual Vocabulary: Define which symbols will represent the past (e.g., old newspapers, queues, communication without gadgets) and the present (electronic boards, delivery, loneliness in a crowd).
- Shooting Methodology (Paired Shots): Use the “Before and After” principle. Take a picture of a specific location based on an old photograph (if possible). If there is no old picture, create two series: one emphasizing archaic elements, and the other demonstrating ultra-modern ones.
- Editing and Presentation: The best way to show a comparison is through diptychs (two images side-by-side) or triptychs. Ensure that the visual elements (color, composition) consistently support your idea of the past and present.
Example Project Theme: “Silence in the Crowd”
A project dedicated to morals: how people have learned to ignore each other in crowded spaces. Photograph public transport, parks, and squares, focusing on headphones, closed postures, and gazes fixed on screens. Compare these shots with archival footage where people read newspapers or actively communicated.
FAQ: Answers to Popular Questions About Photographing the Past and Present
1. How to Avoid Clichés When Photographing the Past?
Answer: Avoid overly obvious symbols (rusty locks, peeling paint). Focus on contrast. Clichés disappear when you show them next to something ultra-modern. For example, photograph not just an old door, but an old door with a QR code sticker for payment.
2. How to Get Permission to Photograph People to Capture Morals?
Answer: When photographing in public places (street photography), permission is not required in most jurisdictions unless the people are central to commercial advertising. However, to preserve the naturalness of morals, it’s best to use telephoto lenses and shoot discreetly, capturing natural behavior rather than posing.
3. Should I Use Old Equipment to Photograph the “Past”?
Answer: No. Modern digital equipment offers more possibilities for post-processing and comparison. The tool is less important than the style. Imitate grain, use specific palettes and framing characteristic of old photography (e.g., square format).
Interesting Facts About Daily Life and Morals in Metropolises
- Evolution of “Green Zones”: In the past, parks often served as places for formal leisure (dance floors, lectures). Today, they have transformed into spaces for active individual recreation (running, yoga, working on a laptop on a bench).
- The “Third Place” Phenomenon: In the past, the role of the “third place” (neither home nor work) was often filled by libraries, interest clubs, or courtyards. In the modern metropolis, coffee shops and co-working spaces have taken on this role, significantly changing communication morals.
- Light as an Indicator of Morals: Historically, city lighting was yellow and warm, creating coziness. Modern metropolises are switching to cold, white LED light, which visually accelerates space and symbolizes efficiency and functionality.
- Hidden Advertising: In the past, advertising was predominantly textual and straightforward. Modern daily life is permeated with hidden, integrated advertising (product placement, branding in urban art), which shapes the morals of constant consumption.
Documenting the daily life and morals of a metropolis is a continuous, fascinating process. A photographer armed with knowledge of social shifts can not only capture reality but also create a deep historical commentary. Use these expert tips to make your next photo project not just a series of shots, but a significant study of time.