renomike Loc: Reno, Nevada

Is one street photography and the other street portraiture? Do you prefer one to the other? If so why? Is it because you prefer pictures of people to pictures of streets with people? Do you prefer pictures where the subject fills the frame or do you like a bit more "real estate" to put the subject in a place?

I wasn't trying to argue with anyone....;0) Just answering Grahams question above on what I liked best, and I agree everyone looks at things differently. I had no way of knowing if Graham ever knew who Russ was or had ever seen any of his photos. That's why I suggested he look him up. I wish I had someone that interesting, like what Graham posted, to photograph....;0) Nothing wrong with Grahams work in anyway, it's really outstanding. It was also the first time I have seen any of Grahams photos also.

Mike

BeaverNewby Loc: Memphis, Tn

Hi Grapham

I definitely like this one. The only thing I would change that I would make is remove the S shape hair(?) that is on the shoulder strap on the right side of his face. It is definitely a distraction to me.

Nightski

Mike, I think you raised a very interesting point, and I am glad you did. You actually hit on the exact point that the question of these two images raise. Thanks so much for adding to this interesting exchange of viewpoints.

Papa j Loc: Cary NC

I love the man's expression😔

Nightski

I agree with you Billy, that we should not confine our photography with rules .. quite the contrary! But I do not think that defining different genres of photography is about rules, it's about classification. I think it's very important to understand what type of photography you are critiquing. Every genre of photography has a slightly different approach and should be viewed as such when forming a critique. I would not expect Russ to capture a moment any more than I would expect Graham to pose his subjects perfectly in relationship to the direction of light.

I think Russ's approach falls under the documentary heading. Even though his photography is done with natural light, he very much controls it. If you ask him, he will tell you how he controls it. I asked him once and he gave me an exact formula of how he sets things up. Many times he will even pay someone to pose for him. Many of these people are happy to do it for $5. Russ is a master of photoshop, and yes, he does push it to the limit, but at the same time he brings a real, gritty feeling to it.

Graham's approach is much different. His is more journalistic in nature, though it is not pure journalism. Street photography had it's start in journalism. Now a pure journalistic image should simply report the event. I think rare journalistic shots are rare. It is pretty hard to take a picture without putting some sort of slant on it with your camera settings, angle of view, timing .. etc .... Even your very presence may contaminate the "news". Graham certainly uses these slants to his advantage to capture a moment. He is no slouch in photoshop either and he does use his lighting to draw the viewers eye to the parts he wants to bring to the attention of the viewer. But I do believe that Grahams work is pure street photography at it's finest. It is not documentary at all in nature. It is a little slice of life.

There is no way that these two approaches can be compared. They are apples and oranges.

Graham Smith Loc: Cambridgeshire UK

Hello BeaverNewby, In pure street photography there can be no cloning out. Verity is paramount, there are no distractions :wink:

ediesaul

Graham - my contrarian opinion. Just talking about cropping because your photography is excellent, needless to say.

The main subject has an interesting face but the photo invites the viewer to look at the rest of the street scene.

I do not like the young woman looking at the photographer.

I looked at the first photo, magnified it, and moved my mouse so that the young woman is out of the photo, and one sees the street scene including the woman in the white jacket looking at the tiles or whatever they are. I "cut" the image on the right so that it includes only the large "V" of the name of the store behind.

I find this cropping of the photo interesting. Instead of having a young woman looking at the camera, the viewer sees the shopping area, including the woman looking at products for sale. In the foreground, the viewer sees this interesting man, and we don't know what he's thinking about the street scene or the fact that a photographer is taking his picture.

I wonder if you would consider this kind of crop.

Country's Mama Loc: Michigan

I am with the crowd that says they are both street photography and this one would need a tighter crop to make it a portrait. Just my opinion though as we all know I know nothing about either. :)