MikeMck Loc: Southern Maryland on the Bay

I notice that almost 100% if the street photography is in black and white. Why is that? thanks.

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

An interesting question from both a technical and a philosophical point of view.

First it has to be fully understood what Street Photography is. It is not about pretty pictures, and particularly not those of people or places! Street is images of the intangible relationships between various objects within a scene, taken with the idea of showing the "human condition" or "life".

Color rarely helps, and more often is a serious distraction (particularly when over saturated as is common to other genres). It is another layer of abstraction that makes composition much more complex. That means it can be nice if used well by a master, but a disaster when not fully umderstood.

We do get some really interesting examples and discussions here now and then. Images posted in both BW and color, often well enough done that reviews are mixed among those here who are knowledgeable and critical.

SATS Loc: Belgium

It is sometimes said that there are no dumb questions, only dumb answers so don't feel bad about asking. That was an excellent response from Apaflo. To that I would only add that street was started in the early days of photography when colour film was either not or only scarcely available. The great names of the genre continued in B&W for the reasons Apaflo gave and to suddenly change to colour would be a break with tradition. If colour was better then tradition alone is no reason to keep to B&W, it is that B&W has a right feel about it and to suddenly go to colour would be 'not what was expected'. And as Apaflo said colour can also sometimes work but B&W works better most of the time.

MikeMck Loc: Southern Maryland on the Bay

Thanks for all your help!

srt101fan

Very interesting question and excellent comments. Thanks!

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

Apaflo's answer is great. I do want to point out that although he is not primarily a street photographer, Bryan Peterson has done some great street work, and everything Bryan displays or publishes is in color. But he is a true master, IMHO.

cambriaman Loc: Central CA Coast

Great Apaflo reply. I fully agree. Another possibility is "Tradition".