Isn’t it easy to forget the excitement of our first photos? Bombarded with imagery on our phones the sheer joy of first seeing a picture of us or by us can slip our recall.

I can’t help but describe the darkroom process as “magic”. It is probably a reflection of my weak grasp of physics. I know that the film and paper is coated with light sensitive silver crystals suspended in gelatin, but a process that it essentially 200 years old still bemuses me, however much I enjoy its effects.

How does someone overcome a lack of the self-confidence that is needed for immersive street photography but satisfy a yearning to photograph the most interesting of subjects - people? I have always been in awe of those who can put a lens in front of a complete stranger and capture a decisive moment. I can’t help but feel my awkwardness in looking at these images. Some feel a little too much as if they are seeing strangers as a source of amusement, poking fun or even denigrating their subjects, regardless of their actual intentions and motivations. Others do let the viewer into a moment in time that can build some connection with the subject. In some cases these are complete strangers. Vivian Meier’s work is perhaps an example of this, in which her own persona and role enabled her to enter the private space of others. Tish Murtha and Chris Killip would gain the confidence of their subjects, that they were or became trusted insiders, free to capture honest images without prejudice.