Martin Agius
- Abhishek Deb
- Sep 29
- 5 min read
Martin Agius | Street Photographer
For SPG's 15th interview feature, we turn to the dramatic world of the black & whites. We introduce you to the street photographer Martin Agius, a master of shadows & light from Rabat, Malta. His powerful images strip away colour to reveal the core shapes and textures of urban life, capturing moments with timeless elegance.
How would you define your style of street photography?
Martin Agius : My style is mainly Fine Art Street Photography, where I like to play with chiaroscuro, especially since we have abundant sunlight all year round where I live.
Martin, what is more important to you - the people or the surroundings?
Martin Agius : The surroundings and the people go hand in hand for me. When I find a scene that I like and the light is right, I focus on choosing the best composition. Once that is set, I wait patiently for the right subject to pass through.
Will you call street photographers as travel photographers too?
Martin Agius : Well, I’m one of them—I travel for Street Photography too. Malta is very small, so to broaden my portfolio, I combine Street Photography with holidays, all while enjoying the time with my lovely wife.
Martin, why and when did street photography become your THE thing? What exactly inspired you?
Martin Agius : I started around 2010 when I took a photo that really inspired me, and someone told me, “That’s a Street Photograph.” At the time, I didn’t know much about Street Photography, as I was still at the beginning of my photography journey. I did some research, and I loved what I read and saw. Later, when I began working as a photojournalist with a local newspaper, I realised that Street Photography and photojournalism go hand in hand.
Martin, it's time to pick your own Top-3 street shots for all of us!
Martin Agius : I have shared 3 of them with the back stories, check them here...
When you look deep within, did street photography change you?
Martin Agius : I can’t really say it changed me, since I already work as a photojournalist, but both practices have shaped me in a way that allows me to anticipate what might happen. They’ve made me more focused and attentive.
Martin, is there any top list of tricks to succeed as a street photographer? Share some tips for people who are starting out on this genre . . .
Martin Agius : First of all, you need to build confidence. For those who are shy, I suggest starting by shooting from a distance, and with time, as confidence grows, gradually moving closer. Always have an answer ready if someone asks why you took their photo—something like appreciating the way they are dressed or a detail that caught your eye. People usually love it when you tell them something nice about themselves.
For a street photographer, what beyond that camera ?
Martin Agius : Observation skills, timing and anticipation, creativity and vision, patience, people skills and empathy, storytelling ability, and composition and framing are all essential qualities to develop in order to improve as a photographer.
Is street photography your primary source of bread & butter?
Martin Agius : Street Photography isn’t my main source of income, but photojournalism is. That said, Street Photography complements my journalistic work very well.
Any shot you missed and you must have taken?
Martin Agius : There are too many to explain. Sometimes you’re distracted, and other times you don’t even have your camera with you.
Which camera(s) do you use? And what about your lenses and other accessories?
Martin Agius : I use two mirrorless cameras: the Canon R6 and R6 Mark II. For work, I mainly use the Canon RF 24-120mm lens, while for Street Photography, I stick to the Canon RF 35mm.
Which other street photographers’ work inspires you the most?
Martin Agius : I have always admired the work of Fan Ho, Henri Cartier-Bresson, and Saul Leiter, whose influence continues to inspire me today. From a contemporary perspective, I am also drawn to the vision and creativity of photographers like Umberto Verdoliva, Matt Stuart, and Steve McCurry.
What is your word of caution to amateur street photographers?
Martin Agius : First and foremost, respect the people you photograph. I don’t like to shoot homeless people, those with disabilities, or anyone in a way that ridicules them.
Do you follow any composition technique by the books?
Martin Agius : Although composition is key in photography, I don’t strictly follow rules from books. I do, however, try to use techniques like the rule of thirds and leading lines whenever I can, letting intuition guide the rest.
What NOT TO DO in street photography?
Martin Agius : In my opinion, avoid using headphones—you might miss a moment unfolding or even put yourself at risk. Listen to your surroundings; it can make all the difference.
What's your perspective on the relation between Street Photography and Street documentary?
Martin Agius : In my opinion, Street Photography, Street Documentary, and Photojournalism all go hand in hand. Each discipline enhances the other, allowing me to capture not just images, but stories, emotions, and the subtle details of everyday life in a way that feels both authentic and meaningful.
You are reading the SPG interview of Street Photographer - Martin Agius
Any project that you remember more than everything else
Martin Agius : One of my well-known projects is Project Double Exposure, which I started during the pandemic and which has gained recognition worldwide. The project combines Street Photography images to create double exposures. It began with one image from London and another from Malta. After a while, I ran out of London photos, so I continued using only images from Malta. Once travel resumed, I started combining photos from both locations again.
Any location that you dream to cover next? Or any place that you would want to revisit?
Martin Agius : My dream is to visit New York, Tokyo, and India. I also love returning to London from time to time. Other countries on my list include Lisbon, Porto, Amsterdam, and Naples—which I’ll be visiting soon.
What makes you say “Wow!” when you see some other street photographers’ work? (and the reverse)
Martin Agius : A “wow” photo, for me, is one where everything aligns—the decisive moment is captured, the light transforms the scene, and the composition comes together seamlessly. It’s the kind of image that draws the viewer in, telling a story or evoking an emotion in a single frame.
That is street photographer Martin Agius for all of you as he opens up in this candid interview.
You can connect with Martin Agius on Instagram
If you are a street photographer and own a credible body of work, you can be featured in The Street Photography Gallery’s Feature section. You only have to hit the button below or email us on thestreetphotographygallery@gmail.com
Increíble hombre de trabajo🤟