Although street photography in Estonia is still in its early stages, we are increasingly noticing compelling work from local photographers.
We came across Martin on Instagram, where he photographs on the streets both in Estonia and abroad. To help others discover the work of Estonian street photographers, we will continue introducing them on our blog.
How did you get into photography?
When I was in the countryside, my grandfather always carried an old black Minolta point-and-shoot camera, which I also got my hands on. It wasn’t serious photography, but it planted a seed. I think my first real experiments with photography happened in high school, when I bought myself a Nikon DSLR with money I earned during the summer.
How did you discover street photography?
I have always enjoyed observing people in urban environments. That probably influenced my choice of profession as well. Architecture and photography often walk a similar path — one shapes space, the other captures it. From an architectural perspective, it is fascinating to observe how people use the space given to them, and capturing those authentic emotions is what draws me most to street photography.
Where do you find inspiration?
That’s a difficult question. I think what inspires me most is that when I step outside my front door with a camera, I never know what I’ll return with. In street photography, it’s essential to be fully present in the moment. That’s also why I prefer shooting on film — you can’t immediately see whether the frame worked or not.
Do you have a favorite photographer or photograph that has influenced you the most?
Recently I’ve been inspired by two young photographers. One is Jonathan Paragas, a street photographer living in San Francisco (www.instagram.com/kingjvpes), and the other is Willem Verbeeck, who lives in New York but is originally from Belgium (www.instagram.com/willemverb). Among well-known photographers, I admire Vivian Maier (www.vivianmaier.com).
What are you looking for when you go out with your camera?
Authentic, unfiltered emotion and interesting characters that can be captured within the urban environment.
Do you have any tips for becoming a better street photographer?
If you’re naturally reserved and hesitant to ask people directly whether you may photograph them, a good way to still capture the frame is to position your subject in the left or right third of your frame. That way you’re not pointing the lens directly at them, and it can feel like you’re photographing something else.
In general, I recommend being brave and politely asking interesting people whether you may photograph them. It’s also helpful to carry a business card or a small note so they can see the photo later if they wish.
What equipment do you use?
I mostly shoot on film. Lately my everyday companion has been a Nikon FM2 with a 50mm f/1.4 lens. Depending on my mood, I also use a Canonet QL25 and a Smena 8M. Occasionally I carry a Nikon D750 full-frame DSLR, and I always have a smartphone with a decent camera in my pocket.
Where can we see your work?
You can find my work here:
www.instagram.com/martin_murusalu
www.instagram.com/eastblockphoto
Please choose one of your street photographs and tell us the story behind it.
“Morning in Ädala” — The photograph was taken at a bus stop near my home. It was a crisp but sunny Thursday morning. The light was falling perfectly down Sõle Street from the direction of Kopli. I usually stand inside the bus shelter, but that morning there were more people than usual, so I waited behind it. I was drawn to an older woman sitting on the bench, repeatedly looking toward Kopli as the sun illuminated her face. I only had a few frames left on my roll of film and felt that the interplay of light, shadow, and reflection could turn out quite interesting.
