Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

Both here on FYC and recently on another HOG forum questions have been raised about "streeet". This short article contains some good tips on both the ethics and the technicalities of the genre.

http://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/8-ways-to-become-more-comfortable-with-your-street-photography/

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

Most such articles have little value simply because web authors have little real expertize and have not actually thought out what they want to say. The cited article is different.

There is one point that I simply don't see elsewhere, and it is essential to good Street Photography.
Rather than random images of whatever there is, whoever it is, whenever it is, why not take specific images that you know will be of interest to people! Think about the Street images from 50 or 100 years ago that draw your attention today, and shoot exactly that type of image today. Tomorrow people will like them, and in 50 years they will be priceless.

A specific example might be how one approaches photography of homeless people. A dramatic portrait of a homeless person from 50 years ago isn't what will interest anyone (and that won't be different in another 50 years)! That drama is not our heritage. On the other hand, an image that shows the conditions, the status, and the social position of destitute people within our culture is our heritage. Don't make a portrait of a homeless person, make a portrait of the culture that allows that to happen to people. Pictures of somebody you can feel better than are worthless, but pictures of something you can make better are worthwhile.

On a broader scale, take portraits of history. Document what people 50 years from now will want to know about how life is lived today.

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

Thank you Apaflo for pointing out this article although short is well thought out and appears to be written by someone who understands the genre well.
I do try and vet articles and fully read them through to decide on their worth prior to posting a link.
I hope many more read it and gain something from it.

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

I appreciate that! And you are to be commended for it.

Many people just find anything about a topic, and never look to see if it even agrees with them. Others look only for something that does agree with them, with no concern for whether it has an ounce of veracity.

Most of the links in the Links section aren't worth reading.

But you cited a very valid article that is worth the time and effort. Thank you.

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

Good article.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

I found the article to be informative and encouraging. You know that this is an area that I've just started trying out and I thought some of the tips in the article are definitely something that I can use. Thanks for posting.
Erich

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

Good article, with reminders and ideas that may be especially helpful for those just starting to figure how they want to approach this kind of photography. The hint about business cards is a good one for me, I've never taken any with me but see how it is a good idea. Glad to see the use of images that the subject was unaware of as well as some the subject was unaware of. Both are valid approaches.

Thanks for sharing, learning is what all of us are here for!

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

Just my opinion of course. I think that the title of "Street Photography" should really be "Candids on the street". as street photography is really people photography. If the picture is a shot of an individual is is just good manors to ask for permission. Even though it is not required so long as the picture is not used for commercial purposes. I meant manners.

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

Nice, but that's not Street Photography! Many purists would suggest that if you ask permission then it can't be Street (it's no longer candid).

Street Photography is a misnomer, it's not about streets and it definitely is not about pictures of people either! Street Photography is about the relationships between people and their surroundings. It's a picture of life as we live it. It does not require people in the image, it does not require a street to be even near.

It does just happen that the easiest way to get Street Photography is to stand on a busy urban street corner and take pictures of what people are doing. But, while much more difficult, it is also possible to climb a remote mountain to and get a shot without people that does show the noted relationship.
That picture will probably be trash... literally.

Graham Smith Loc: Cambridgeshire UK

Go out and take photographs on the street. Take candids or pictures where the subject is aware of what you are doing. Take pictures of people close up, take pictures where people are almost insignificant in the distant street, just take pictures that include people and something to show the image was made on a street. Take pictures, have fun without worrying about whether your picture complies with strictures imposed by the "street photography police" If its a good picture it is a good picture regardless of proscriptive rules.

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

Exactly! But why are you are putting strictures on what is Street Photography where none need to exist. It doesn't have to have people, it doesn't have to have a street.

Graham Smith Loc: Cambridgeshire UK

Perhaps it would be helpful to drop the word "street" if it doesn't have to have an element of "street" and call it photography?

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

You and I would not be the first to wish it had been named differently. Unfortunately language is not logical... the name Street Photography is what it is called.