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08/22/2012 11:43:41 AM · #1 |
I cringe whenever a Street Photography challenge is announced. The term "street photography" is a slippery slope if there is one. I've always thought Street Photography to be a lot like jazz -- every definition I've seen is either too exclusive or too all inclusive. But for lack of anything better, let's turn to the source of all knowledge in the 21st century...
Wikipedia defines Street Photography as "a type of documentary photography that features subjects in candid situations within public places such as streets, parks, beaches, malls, political conventions and other settings." Political conventions? Really? Well, it's a start. The two takeaways from this are "candid" and "public." Street Photography doesn't even have to happen on a street. How about that?
So when I think of Street Photography, I'm thinking along these lines. I love street portraits -- one of my favorite street portraitists works right here in Pittsburgh. He hauls a TLR through bad neighborhoods and approaches people for their picture. My hero. But I don't consider it Street Photography. These are posed shots. We've had a Street Portraits challenge here before, and maybe it's time to do it again. I might even participate this time.
The same goes for pictures of the street. Unpeopled urban landscapes are not technically Street Photography. Nor are macros of the street. I do a lot of the latter. Yes, it's photography of the street. But it's not Street Photography any more than music performed in the country is Country Music.
Even when we nail the definition and capture a candid public moment, there are challenges. Pictures of people's backs, people texting, people passing funny billboards, homeless people -- the low hanging fruit and clichés are captured en masse but rarely memorable. "Why are you showing me this person?" was Steve's (pawdrix's) mantra of several years back. It did a lot for me. Good Street Photography captures the quirky, the emotive, the unseen, the unbelievable, the absurd -- in an original and engaging way. It's hard stuff.
To make things harder, rules of good composition still apply. A well balanced frame is huge with me in my own work. I'm getting better at it, but it's a constant struggle. "Ma'am, can you hold that stuffed duck over the barechested tattooed gentleman once more? I seem to have clipped your feet in my last shot." It just doesn't work that way.
Why am I saying all this? It's not because I'm trying to dictate what this challenge should be. Or sound like a pompous ass. (Too late!) Rather, it's because those of us who participate in the spirit of what is traditionally considered Street Photography are usually disappointed to find pictures of lonely buildings and smiling street vendors in the Top Ten. (Not that I care that much anymore. At this point, I'm just trying to educate and inspire a little bit.)
To that end, maybe we should stop having challenges called Street Photography. It's become an umbrella term for all but those who practice it regularly. Street Portraits, Urban Landscapes, Abandoned Buildings, Street Macros are well defined and great ideas for challenges. And I think we've done all of these at least once. For those of us looking for true street photography -- I mean Street Photography -- present these as "In The Style Of" challenges. I'd love an "In the Style of Garry Winogrand" challenge. No ambiguity there!
I provocatively stated in another thread that I would give all portraits in the upcoming challenge a one. Well, I was kidding. I've never handed out a one. (Twos I reserve for kids kissing Mommy's pregnant belly.) Having said all this, a good photo is a good photo, and as long as I've done my job, and we're all sufficiently confused now as to what Street Photography is or isn't, well then I'll merrily hand out high scores to good portraits and good buildings. I will become part of the problem.
People on cell phones, however, will only get a high score from me if they come from  jagar or jmritz. Different shades of Midas.
--
Good Street Photographers and Street Photography -- starting close to home:
 muur88
 nick_hinch
nixter
pawdrix's work (if you can find it -- for example)
Hardcore Street Photography (Flickr)
Extreme Street Photography (Flickr)
In Public
Garry Winogrand
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08/22/2012 11:54:11 AM · #2 |
Excellent post Brian. A pseudo-rant! The fellow with the TLR is impressive.
This is one of the more important sections in my opinion:
Even when we nail the definition and capture a candid public moment, there are challenges. Pictures of people's backs, people texting, people passing funny billboards, homeless people -- the low hanging fruit and clichés are captured en masse but rarely memorable. "Why are you showing me this person?" was Steve's (pawdrix's) mantra of several years back. It did a lot for me. Good Street Photography captures the quirky, the emotive, the unseen, the unbelievable, the absurd -- in an original and engaging way. It's hard stuff. |
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08/22/2012 12:14:35 PM · #3 |
Thank you, bvy. It is good to be reminded of what street photography is not, to be aware of or to beware of the little pleasure we feel at doing any bit of it well. Because it must be more. Pawdrix's Why are you showing me this person? rings constantly in my ear, and I often stand justly accused.
Another caveat: the seduction of glibness, even photographic wantonness, made possible by digital technology. Perhaps aided and abetted by the frequency of challenges? Not just in street photography. I speak for myself. |
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08/22/2012 12:48:52 PM · #4 |
Great thoughts Brian, nice that you shared them.
I don't really like the definition of street photography either, not that keen on anything that forces us in a box. I used to think that my style was street, lately however and probably because I feel comfortable being on the street, I see it just like a big studio, full of inspiring things that I don't find in my usual bucolic country setting. I don't have a studio and I don't hire models and I'm certainly a bit lazy when it comes to setting things up or waiting for the right time of day, on the street it's all there, just waiting to be picked, it's all so fresh and hasn't been tainted by me. So yes I have problems defining what is or isn't street photography, maybe it's just a great setting where candid things can happen.
I suggest we just enter whatever moves us the most and that we have a great time doing it, it's all that counts. Lets not balls this one up with our assumptions of what is or isn't and let's leave our intellect at home before we go out and shoot, it can only hinder the result. |
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08/22/2012 12:57:50 PM · #5 |
I have the same problem with "Art" challenges. Everything is art if you let it.
But Brian you are the absolute worst person to be defining Street Photography. Street Photography is the father you have killed. You have claimed your own street on this block. Now you have only bvy photography. Macros, buildings, backs, cellphones, all your shots are street photography and not street photography. |
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08/22/2012 01:33:00 PM · #6 |
Nice post Brian.
You can find more of Pawdrix's images here.
Steve Hill Street Photography
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08/22/2012 01:35:38 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by posthumous:
Street Photography is the father you have killed. You have claimed your own street on this block. Now you have only bvy photography. Macros, buildings, backs, cellphones, all your shots are street photography and not street photography. |
I'm not sure if Brian was just dissed or complimented. Maybe both.
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08/22/2012 02:17:54 PM · #8 |
| Hmm.. Food for thought indeed! Great post bvy |
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08/22/2012 02:37:22 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:
Originally posted by posthumous:
Street Photography is the father you have killed. You have claimed your own street on this block. Now you have only bvy photography. Macros, buildings, backs, cellphones, all your shots are street photography and not street photography. |
I'm not sure if Brian was just dissed or complimented. Maybe both. |
I didn't feel dissed. He's right of course. I'm a mathematician by education; sometimes I still like definitions. (Maybe I'll go over and dazzle the fractal crowd next.) But my intention wasn't to force anyone into a box. Just the opposite. By appealing to the ever-flawed definition, I was hoping to push people outside their comfort zones. Maybe you can get away with a portrait or a picture of a building. Something very safe that will guarantee a good score. But, as jagar pointed out, the street is bristling with life waiting to be captured. Get out and engage. Shoot from the hip if you have to. That̢۪s how I eased into it. People may bark but they rarely bite. And leave the telephoto lens at home. Travel light.
He's also right in pointing out that street photography is as much a way of taking pictures as it is a type of picture. Really, it's a dance.
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08/22/2012 02:50:29 PM · #10 |
Street Photography.
Flam Bam Flizzle Flop.
Doo Wop!
In Public.
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08/22/2012 03:51:30 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by bvy:
Really, it's a dance. |
And you dance with your eyes closed.
I am not dissing Brian. He is the dancer I want to watch. |
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08/22/2012 04:52:38 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by posthumous:
Originally posted by bvy:
Really, it's a dance. |
And you dance with your eyes closed.
I am not dissing Brian. He is the dancer I want to watch. |
BBQ at Brian's place. I'd fly to PA for that.
I think the challenge will be better thanks to this thread.
I'll need to get out with  melethia and/or tanguera, nobody glares at me when I'm walking around with either of them. |
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08/22/2012 06:03:20 PM · #13 |
Thanks Brian, good and timely post. I like street photography but for me it's difficult.
Your words and those of Pawdrix are good to remember and very helpful. |
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08/22/2012 06:04:58 PM · #14 |
| Great post. Sadly I seem to have trouble with this style but will try this weekend. |
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08/22/2012 06:09:41 PM · #15 |
| You mean we're not supposed to take pictures of roads? |
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08/22/2012 07:29:25 PM · #16 |
aw crap! i just got into the "city" parts and got a reasonably good series of posed-candid-sidewalk-portraits... ;-\
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08/22/2012 09:26:31 PM · #17 |
| I'm hoping this thread will help me reel the real street shots from my memory card. We will see. |
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08/23/2012 10:04:55 AM · #18 |
Originally posted by MinsoPhoto:
Great post. Sadly I seem to have trouble with this style but will try this weekend. |
Same here,but i,ll keep trying |
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08/23/2012 10:12:05 AM · #19 |
| I'm gonna try shooting this weekend too! Hopefully I can come up with something interesting for this challenge. |
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08/23/2012 11:03:44 AM · #20 |
Good post! I'll try to get some time and grab only my E-PL1 with the Lumix 14/2.5 and shot from the hip.
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08/23/2012 11:10:47 AM · #21 |
Originally posted by Tiberius:
Good post! I'll try to get some time and grab only my E-PL1 with the Lumix 14/2.5 and shot from the hip. |
Why from the hip?
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08/23/2012 11:20:11 AM · #22 |
Cause I got a nice comment from bvysome time ago for a hip shot
He also says
Originally posted by bvy:
Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:
Originally posted by posthumous:
Street Photography is the father you have killed. You have claimed your own street on this block. Now you have only bvy photography. Macros, buildings, backs, cellphones, all your shots are street photography and not street photography. |
I'm not sure if Brian was just dissed or complimented. Maybe both. |
... Get out and engage. Shoot from the hip if you have to. That̢۪s how I eased into it. People may bark but they rarely bite. And leave the telephoto lens at home. Travel light... |
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08/23/2012 11:22:46 AM · #23 |
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08/23/2012 12:19:33 PM · #24 |
Originally posted by Venser:
Originally posted by Tiberius:
Good post! I'll try to get some time and grab only my E-PL1 with the Lumix 14/2.5 and shot from the hip. |
Why from the hip? |
because it's easier than shooting from the foot. |
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08/23/2012 01:20:47 PM · #25 |
I just coppied the top of your statement and wanted to tell you that your discussion in itself was very helpful to me. I also find myself at a loss when this subject comes up and am grateful for your input.
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