Pau Buscató’s photography cuts through the noise. In a moment when smartphones have turned billions of people into casual street shooters, his work stands as a reminder that a picture made on the street is not automatically street photography. His images rely on timing, intent, and the ability to anticipate moments that will not repeat themselves.
The appeal of Buscató’s work is not a hidden formula. The foundation is his eye, his ability to read a scene, and his patience to wait for the right alignment. Anyone can press the shutter. Very few can create a spontaneous visual narrative that holds up under repeat viewing.
Historic reference points remain—Alex Webb, Elliott Erwitt, Joel Meyerowitz, Robert Frank, Bruce Gilden, Vivian Maier, among others—but Buscató’s photographs have their own logic. They are built from everyday surroundings and small details most people overlook. His best images turn insignificant moments into sharp, surprising frames.
Has street photography changed since he began?
Buscató started in 2012. He believes the practice itself hasn’t shifted much, but the way photos circulate has. Flickr once offered communities, critique, and slower engagement. Instagram removed that pace and replaced it with isolated scrolling. Analytics confirm another change: more viewers consume images on phones rather than full monitors.
What has not changed, in his view, is the street itself. Opportunities remain everywhere. What’s missing for many photographers is time.
What makes a strong street photograph?
Buscató looks for pictures that stop him. This can be a rare moment, an optical or cognitive twist, an unexpected idea, or a clear emotional beat—anything that forces a viewer to stay with the image. He avoids photographs that can be recreated endlessly in the same spot with silhouettes and predictable framing. To him, that repetition drains meaning.
Intent matters. Originality matters. An image should feel difficult to replicate. Low-effort one-liners and social-friendly clichés do not interest him.
Does he have a favorite picture?
No single favorite. He notes that some older images no longer match his standards because he has seen them too many times or considers them clichés in hindsight. One image he still appreciates is a 2015 Oslo photograph built around reflections and a red umbrella. The frame came from deliberate waiting and careful layering rather than luck.
What gear does he use?
Buscató shoots digital today. Early in his development, he spent more than a year shooting only black-and-white film and developing at home. That period helped him escape the “more gear, better results” trap. Film slowed him down and forced discipline.
He later returned to digital with the Ricoh GR and embraced the 28mm focal length. Zone focusing became his default method. He still uses it today, even on modern cameras. His current kit includes the Ricoh GR, the Fuji X70, and a Sony A9 paired with a Voigtländer Color-Skopar 28mm via an adapter. All setups support his preferred workflow: compact bodies, pre-focused lenses, and the straightforward “f/8 and be there” approach.
Visit Pau Buscató’s website and follow his ongoing work on Instagram.
