Trying to define 'Street Photography' for me

DG Phototraining

DG Phototraining

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On Wednesday I had the pleasure of time on my hands in Manchester and the opportunity to meet up with a pal, OneTen, to shoot and discuss photography. Naturally, it all started in a pub :D Moved to a restaurant and ended in a coffee shop - well it was bloody cold :lol:

We found we had roughly the same idea of what Street Photography means to us and went to shoot it, for a few mins. I did take a few snaps, and thought I'd include them here to explain my thoughts - feel free to agree/disagree as you see fit, or just generally slag the photos off too if you so wish

Bascially, Richard and I felt that we didn't feel Street simply meant shooting people in a street, we feel that there needs to be some story or fun element to make it more interesting. Snapping away and hoping for the best can capture some great shots, but they are not what we both liked about Street photography

Here's a few to explain my thoughts...

1

Barnsley_Wedding_Photographer-003.jpg


The above is a nice enough shot of a bloke walking in a street, personally I like the shot but it doesn't say 'Street' to me

2

Barnsley_Wedding_Photographer-004.jpg


Above - this one was shot in the restaurant while Richard nipped to the loo. It wonderfully shows the modern camera at work :D I never use live-view normally, but tried it while bored - it has face-recognition and locked onto the pointing guy's face accurately enough even at f2.8 - so well done camera - this too is not Street for me

3

Barnsley_Wedding_Photographer-006.jpg


This one looks more like others' view on Street to me as I see lots of shots like this, and while its an interesting portrait in a street - I'm still not sure this is what I call Street for my own work

4

Barnsley_Wedding_Photographer-007.jpg


Here I'm kinda getting the idea of what I like to shoot for my definition of Street. I saw the guy all alone in his stall, and being on the phone looking serious he's clearly in charge. I noticed the Hugo BOSS sign and thought that was a bit of humour as he's clearly the 'boss' of his stall - hence the shot

5

Barnsley_Wedding_Photographer-011.jpg


This last one is what I feel my own Street is all about, its about seeing juxtapositions and humour. The image on the wall is two blokes interacting like great mates having fun, in real life the two blokes look bored with each other. That made it for me

So there you go, my thoughts on what Street Photography means to me, and a few examples to show my thought processes. You don't have to agree with me at all, but I would like to see & hear others thoughts on this as this is only the 2nd time I've properly had a go at it - though I may be tempted to do more

Cheers

Dave
 
I can still see them
 
They are all "street photography" but of different style and quality.
 
POAH said:
They are all "street photography" but of different style and quality.
Click to expand...

Agree. Just as a picture of a landscape is landscape photography. Whether they are good or bad does not change whether it is a landscape or a street shot.
 
POAH said:
They are all "street photography" but of different style and quality.
Click to expand...

Got to agree with the above statement,
while been reading about street photography over the past few days its seems that there is different street photography.....the part im liking is the different views on asking permission and the moral parts

Cant wait to try it for myself
 
Lovely stuff.

A great set of pictures. To me 2 to 5 are all what I would call 'street photography'

I like 1 too, but wouldn't describe it as street photography, as the person is a prop in the picture rather than the subject.

ButI guess it doesn't really matter what they are classified as....the success of the set is in the strong composition and the intrigue, questions and thoughts they inspire in the viewer. And these succeed in my opinion due to the skill and creative eye of the photographer.
 
I like that last one, the juxtaposition works well. I agree that a street pictutre is more than a picture taken on a street. It has to say or ask something and have a strong composition to work (for me).
 
Good points guys

Sounds like this 'Street' thing is very much in the eye of the taker - fancy that, subjectivity in photography :D

On a more serious note though - I do sometimes get called on to judge at camera club competitions, mostly I get good reviews (well the winner likes me) of my judging and commentary - but I'm honestly glad no-one so far has had a 'Street' theme as if I judged as I see it many would fail to be marked at all as not being fit for category; and if I judged purely on 'its a shot in a street' then I'd not be true to my own judging aspects

I reckon I'll just be busy if ever that one comes up then :)

Dave

Dave
 
For an image to "work" for me, I like to either see a story in it, or feel some sort of emotion, whatever that emotion may be. Sorrow, love, humour etc.
The last one made me smile, so I guess it works for me !!
 
DG Phototraining said:
On a more serious note though - I do sometimes get called on to judge at camera club competitions, mostly I get good reviews (well the winner likes me) of my judging and commentary - but I'm honestly glad no-one so far has had a 'Street' theme as if I judged as I see it many would fail to be marked at all as not being fit for category; and if I judged purely on 'its a shot in a street' then I'd not be true to my own judging aspects
Click to expand...

or just judge it for what it is, a photo that happens to be shot on the street. You can still judge and comment on the good and bad aspects of it. You should not be judging with any predetermined self imposed limitations (and imagine you don't if you get good feedback)
 
Dave I was there on Wednesday and took this of you and Richard, I was with my Mrs Julie and Grandson, I did want to say hello but Julie wanted to go the opposite direction, so managed to swerve you again Richard :lol: nice of you to smile for me :D

8251456393_9e7a4f561a_b.jpg
 
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DG Phototraining said:
HA - I remember the guy (you) taking this shot :D

Richard was just saying something akin to, there's some bloke over there shooting us - to which I replied, it'll be one of your fans Richard he'll want your autograph next - wasn't far wrong was I ;)

Dave
Click to expand...

:lol: Ive never met either of you but thought I recognised you both, Richard and I have never met for some reason or another, we never get to actually meet, and its a running joke I always managed to swerve him, now he can add stalking to his list, :lol::lol::lol:
 
Like them all, and I agree for me it has to tell a story or make me wonder what happens next, and as someone has said intrigue.

I can see what you mean by No. 1 but it reminds me of Robert Doisneau's The Pavement, and to me it is street photography
 
Street Photography? For me, walking around Manchester taking pictures of tramps on Kodak TMax 3200 and trying unsuccessfully to convince myself it was art....that was back in 1993 though. ;) Doisneau and Cartier Bresson were street photographers to me (I know that's not all they did but is what they were best known for).

I think all of the images above qualify. They don't have to conform to any set of rules. Nice work!
 
I will be frank and honest with you.
I really don't like the set you have presented. Granted, they were not created as a set but still, i suppose i like capture #1 but it, along with the others have very low emotional response, tell of no story and are not what i consider to be good street photographs. The tonal value in one of them is horrid and a hdr kind of thing.
Noticing the Hugo Boss logo and drawing a link between the guy in the stall and the fact it says boss is weak. The "juxtaposition" of the last image isn't strong enough and without you mentioning it i would have never noticed it as it didn't shout as obvious.

For me, a good street photograph needs strong emotional response, needs a story, a purpose. There needs to be interest enough to hold the eye longer than two seconds, it has to have guts and soul. If there are people in it i want to study them, not overlook them as part of the scene, they need purpose.
Any juxtaposition needs to smack you around the face be it funny, serious, shocking or whatever.
Don't alter the reality of what happened, heavy editing destroys documentary images and as street photographers are documenting life of the street heavy editing is a no go.

Check out this flickr group http://www.flickr.com/groups/onthestreet/
Amazing pure street photography.
 
Simon photo said:
I will be frank and honest with you.
I really don't like the set you have presented. Granted, they were not created as a set but still, i suppose i like capture #1 but it, along with the others have very low emotional response, tell of no story and are not what i consider to be good street photographs. The tonal value in one of them is horrid and a hdr kind of thing.
Noticing the Hugo Boss logo and drawing a link between the guy in the stall and the fact it says boss is weak. The "juxtaposition" of the last image isn't strong enough and without you mentioning it i would have never noticed it as it didn't shout as obvious.

For me, a good street photograph needs strong emotional response, needs a story, a purpose. There needs to be interest enough to hold the eye longer than two seconds, it has to have guts and soul. If there are people in it i want to study them, not overlook them as part of the scene, they need purpose.
Any juxtaposition needs to smack you around the face be it funny, serious, shocking or whatever.
Don't alter the reality of what happened, heavy editing destroys documentary images and as street photographers are documenting life of the street heavy editing is a no go.

Check out this flickr group http://www.flickr.com/groups/onthestreet/
Amazing pure street photography.
Click to expand...


Always prefer honesty mate, and I have no issue with you not liking any

What is interesting is that others think all are Street, even good Street, yet you don't think any are any good, or even Street - that's totally fine btw - and totally confusing too :lol:

This is just the kind of spread of views I was hoping for :)

Thanks for the link too, I'll take a peek later :thumbs:

Dave
 
I would say #2, #3 and #4 were 'Street'.
#1 is 'in the street' and a very interesting image.
I like the last but it doesn't say 'Street' to me.

You realise that you've opened up a whole can or worms here Dave ... there are some really serious 'Street' aficionados about who have some very definite views!
 
Okies - well I've had a look at that flickr link and I reckon you're just taking the pee :lol:

I scanned the first hundred or so just laughing that anyone would think any of them worth showing others; that's not a genre just a collection of crap no-one should suffer looking at IMO :lol:

Good one bud :thumbs: and just in case you aren't joking... oh :(

So yes I totally get your sentiment, but certainly not your taste if that's really what you think fits your bill of good Street

Dave
 
gramps said:
You realise that you've opened up a whole can or worms here Dave ... there are some really serious 'Street' aficionados about who have some very definite views!
Click to expand...

I kinda hope so Gramps - I have seen lots of 'Street' and totally missed the point of most of it as it looks like totally crap snaps to me, so kinda hoping for some discussion/direction and understanding - its been interesting so far, and no teddies as yet

Though it looks like you're anticipating some to come ??? ;)

Dave
 
DG Phototraining said:
Okies - well I've had a look at that flickr link and I reckon you're just taking the pee :lol:

I scanned the first hundred or so just laughing that anyone would think any of them worth showing others; that's not a genre just a collection of crap no-one should suffer looking at IMO :lol:
Click to expand...

You're not wrong there :lol:

FWIW I like all of your shots, however I would be loath to call #2 and #5 "street" unless it was obviously taken from outside looking in. Those to me are candid portraits.
 
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Walk down the road, camera button bouncing against backpack ... result = 'street'.


:coat:
 
Simon photo said:
I will be frank and honest with you.
I really don't like the set you have presented. Granted, they were not created as a set but still, i suppose i like capture #1 but it, along with the others have very low emotional response, tell of no story and are not what i consider to be good street photographs. The tonal value in one of them is horrid and a hdr kind of thing.
Noticing the Hugo Boss logo and drawing a link between the guy in the stall and the fact it says boss is weak. The "juxtaposition" of the last image isn't strong enough and without you mentioning it i would have never noticed it as it didn't shout as obvious.

For me, a good street photograph needs strong emotional response, needs a story, a purpose. There needs to be interest enough to hold the eye longer than two seconds, it has to have guts and soul. If there are people in it i want to study them, not overlook them as part of the scene, they need purpose.
Any juxtaposition needs to smack you around the face be it funny, serious, shocking or whatever.
Don't alter the reality of what happened, heavy editing destroys documentary images and as street photographers are documenting life of the street heavy editing is a no go.

Check out this flickr group http://www.flickr.com/groups/onthestreet/
Amazing pure street photography.
Click to expand...

Satire....surely?! ;)
 
gotta agree with the comments that there was very little special about the pictures in that link...one or two gems there but on the whole....yawn.

Black and white conversion with a lot of grain added does not make a photo suddenly interesting
 
Haha, I see where this is going you ol' rascals, you. :lol:
 
Steve said:
gotta agree with the comments that there was very little special about the pictures in that link...one or two gems there but on the whole....yawn.

Black and white conversion with a lot of grain added does not make a photo suddenly interesting
Click to expand...

can agree to a certain degree a love them in b+w but all the grain puts me off slighty
 
HI
I like all the shots and personally would class all but #1 as Street. Was looking at a youtube video of Joel Meyerowitz doing street, and whilst he's a great photographer, some of the shots looked like he just pointed at a person(s) and fired away and the photos looked very weak IMHO.
JohnyT
 
I think the shots seem OK, but they would be better without the fancy "HDR style" processing. "3" is probably best from a framing point of view.
 
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