In today’s video, I delve into a discussion about street photography and try to pin a definition on this nearly undefinable genre. Do I succeed? I don’t really know. Am I a street photographer? I have started to wonder if perhaps I am. Follow along, enter the discussion, and let me know your thoughts. Enjoy!
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I spent about 40 years photographing anything that I found interesting but it was only recently that I learned that I was a 'street photographer' so I guess that's what it is. Anyway, what do they say, 'a rose by any other name' what does it matter enjoy, so call it what you will.
Another thoughtful video Jim,many thanks. I agree with your thoughts on the subject too. I find , when I look back at old photographs I took in the 70’s or 80’s …the landscapes or historic architecture shots look much the same today…it the urban shots with everyday people etc that are much more fascinating. I find I am increasingly drawn to “street photography” as a challenge these days. Have you looked at the work and story about Vivian Maier? An amazing lady, and well worth a look at if you haven’t . I do like your colour shots but I find Black and white can often draw more focus to the subject in urban settings. You should give it a go.
Is there a street, are there people? It’s street photography. We complicate things to much by pigeon hole classifications. Maybe we should break it down further and call yours (the style I enjoy for the same reasons you gave) “street” and the other “in your face”. There both great ways to shoot.
For me, Street Photography feels somewhat limiting, I prefer to think in terms of Life Photography. But that's just the way I approach it. I've been doing it since 1970. Here's some examples of my approach: https://www.wbi.se/?page_id=6783 Text in Swedish, pictures multi lingual.
Real street photography is when you don't need to explain what's going on in the picture, like your "Superman" and the last coastal image. 90% of called street photography images are cliches and about people on phones, cars, mess all-around and try to copy the old masters. Being a street and street portrait guy, (no SM), sometimes it takes days and days of walking on the street to get a decent shot. A quote, "12 good images a year, is a good crop", some even go 4 or maybe 6 are plenty.
Interesting Jim. Street Photography to me has to have a human (or animal) element to it which gives 'character' or feeling or emotion to the location. An example of this would be … say, an Indian street, with all the street sellers, people huddled around a fire, sacred cows scavenging around ….. basically, what I'm trying to say is …. it's got to hit me in the gut / make me think / make me feel emotional. Difficult to put into words matey.
Good discussion about street photography, and I totally agree with you. I liked the “super man” image.
am My view….frankly I don't give a dam my dear
Jim
Great video defining Street Photography,I agree with you 100%.
There has to be that element of everyday life which includes human intervention
Hi Jim, thanks again for another video that makes you think. In the last few years have got interested in Street but couldn't decide what I should be shooting. Like you I can't shoot in people's faces but like the atmosphere of people turned away or the out of place inanimate object close ups. Again many thanks for your helpful insight.
great video, Jim. beautiful images. I would be intersted with a tuto showing how to add sunrays to pole lamps in luminar. i have difficulties to make it realistic in luminar and attenuate its effect because radiates too much on the whole image. in lightroom it is easier with two radial filters with high exposure and temperature, a small one at center and a second one around and a third on floor. waiting for a "LR" radial filter with all sliders in luminar…
marc
Your categorization is spot on ….. however, why do care what you call your art! A while back you questioned if you were a "fine art photographer". I commented that to be a fine are photographer depended on how the viewer reacted to your photo, not the photographer. I think the same holds for today's topic. If I take an image here in suburbia or at the mall of people spontaneously interacting, should I call it "cul de sac" or "mall" photography. If the image effects you, then my job is done and you can call/classify it any which way you want. BTW the classic cul de sac photo is an overweight person on a ride-a-round mower with a cigar and a can of beer. This is the equivalent of the gritty image of some person, in a doorway, with smoke swirling around.
Hi Jim. Great images and I love the Pet Cemetery one. I agree with your take on street photography vs. Urban landscapes. I think street photography is more documentary? But I think urban lanscapes could possibly have people in it too? But maybe from a different perspective. Very interesting ideas to think about. Thanks!
Great discussion, Jim. First of all, your photographs are great. You have a great eye and as you know, I really enjoy your editing style. I think street photography is photography in an urban environment that captures an impromptu moment. That may include people, but I also think photos of shapes and angles and shadows and symmetry where the light is falling just right at that given moment classify as street photography. The sun reflecting off a building providing a shadow that casts some perfect geometric angle is sometimes the most interesting type of photo in my opinion. These are usually not planned, but you just see it and snap. Hope all is well and I am looking forward to more.
Hi Jim, I think the photo of the street person in the alley is great! You showed it before in another video and it was done in black and white and I thought that it was one of the best photos I have ever seen. It really tells a story and shows how the roughness of the alley and the clutter of the meters on the wall mirror the man in the alley. Great photo! Suzanne
I think the reason I don't indulge in street photography is that it feels intrusive to me. You're taking pics of strangers and then showing them online or whatever. I always understood you needed them to sign a release before making it public. This doesn't apply anymore?
Another interesting video, Jim, and I have to agree with you on a lot of your points. I was just posting this shot from my recent rained out trip from Heidelberg to Cologne https://flic.kr/p/2g8MTPx This was taken in Koblenz.
Like yourself, I enjoy taking shots of street life as it’s moving away from me, rarely with the subject looking at me.
I decided on a B&W edit although the original has a nice golden tone, I might post it also.
I've always connected street photography with people as the main focus Jim, and I think your definition of urban landscapes is spot-on.
I recently took a coastal shot of an offshore dredger, just to show local friends what was going on locally. A little boy ran into the scene as I was pressing the shutter, the result worked out kinda well, so ended up posting the image which I had not originally planned to do. Chance happening like that are what make some of the best street photographs I've seen. An interesting subject, thank's.
Actually loved the Pet Sematary pic Jim. If I do any street photography its mainly urban landscape unless its candid, i don't like getting in peoples faces. Recently there was a furor in my photography group after somebody posted a pic of a homeless man. People go upset that the person in the photo had what dignity he had left taken. Age might be catching up on me mate , but sitting here at my computer 4am Aus time clicked on you latest video and your intro music blew out my speakers. Quickly turned volume down, the back up to hear you talk. Hoping not to offend, but if you could turn the intro volume down a touch it would be great. On another note, how far is Austin from Dallas ? Would love to see Dealy Plaza one day
Great as always Jim absolutely love the last picture on the beach it’s fantastic 👌
Great video man. my own personal opinion is that "street photography" has to include people and it has to be candid. Otherwise it's just an outdoor portrait