If a "street photographer" shoots a picture inside a building..

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colker

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Does he turn into an apartment photographer? Can a street photographer shoot in a ranch or frame a cloud in the sky?

Every time i read "street photography" i cringe. It means nothing to me and i have been involved w/ photography for 50 years.

There is photography and artists who use photography. A relevant photographer is an artist. An artist is constantly evolving and constantly thought provoking. Cartier Bressson was an artist. Robert Frank is an artist and so is Egglestone. Avedon, Arbus, .. i go go till Z and there are millions of good artists using cameras which are still unknown.

What matters in photography is not creating categories but the image: how and why it stops you on your tracks.
Natural light, studio, film, digital.. these are minor details and only circumstance. Forget them and see the big picture.

Photography is not a sport defined by where it takes place. It is defined by how far we go into observing our existence.
 
I agree with you, the term «street photography» is absolutely annoying.
Hence, I prefer the term «candid photography», even if it's perhaps not exactly the same, but who knows?
 
Is William Klein a street photographer or a fashion photographer? Does it even matter?
Is Avedon a portrait photographer or a fashion photographer?

Jeff Wall shoots carefully constructed images on 5x7, some of them are street scenes.
Lorca Di Corcia shot portraits in urban surroundings w/ focus on sexuality. Other series focus on artifficiality x natural occurrence when he was firing an electronic flash on people passing by in front of his long tele lens.
Street photography is not even a genre.. it´s just a circumstance.
 
Well, fifty years doesn't count then. It doesn't ring the bell until you directly into it.
Then it is very simple and clear.
Street is your main place where photos are taken. Pictures could be taken inside as well, but your main forte is street.
Victor Kolar is great example. He started to practice after work in photo lab in Toronto.
He was going out on the streets, into parks and practicing. Every day. Every day after work he was on the street with Leica and lens he was able to purchase after working at the mine in BC.
He was taking pictures on the streets and wanted to do more. He connected with right people and recived grand from Canadian government. And he was able to receive it because he was taking great street pictures. His assignment was new by when malls.
He was taking pictures in malls just as he was taking them in the street.

So, to me you are street photographer it is then you have this unexplainable need to go out and take pictures on the street.

I'll make it simple for you. Then inside, non street and not so much photogs takes photos of what they eat and drink. Street photog takes pictures of those who eat and drink. :)
 
People love labels. I also prefer "candid photography" but even that term can get dicey.

Every time I hear or see written "street photography", I get a mental picture of a homeless guy lying on the sidewalk. Makes me cringe too. I hate the term. But it's not likely to change.
 
Ko.Fe. said:
Well, fifty years doesn't count then. It doesn't ring the bell until you directly into it.
Then it is very simple and clear.
Street is your main place where photos are taken. Pictures could be taken inside as well, but your main forte is street.
Victor Kolar is great example. He started to practice after work in photo lab in Toronto.
He was going out on the streets, into parks and practicing. Every day. Every day after work he was on the street with Leica and lens he was able to purchase after working at the mine in BC.
He was taking pictures on the streets and wanted to do more. He connected with right people and recived grand from Canadian government. And he was able to receive it because he was taking great street pictures. His assignment was new by when malls.
He was taking pictures in malls just as he was taking them in the street.

So, to me you are street photographer it is then you have this unexplainable need to go out and take pictures on the street.

I'll make it simple for you. Then inside, non street and not so much photogs takes photos of what they eat and drink. Street photog takes pictures of those who eat and drink. :)
Click to expand...

Most of Jeff Wall´s work is also done on the street but it´s all directed w/ actors filling a predesigned composition and shot w/ a 5x7in sheet film camera.
 
People also love to decline of existence for something they don't understand. Yet.
This is what is happening with OP and some others here.

Candid is only part of street photography. Fred Herzog has street pictures without people and they are great street pictures.

Then I see homeless word in threads like these, the portrait taken by Allen Bourgeois comes to me right away.
He is street photographer who works and get paid for taking portrait pictures inside.
But he goes on the street. His portrait of homeless is one one the powerful portraits I ever seen.

Klein is else photographer who learned and benefited by taking pictures on the street.
He used street as decoration for else and paid photos. And so is 5x7 dude OP just mentioned.

But.

Ellliot Erwitt is street photographer with some else pictures. He was taking pictures on the streets between assignments for else pictures and on his free time.
I have no idea what else he photographed, zero interest in it. But his street photography is recognized most, it seems. And for obvious reason.

He was thinking about street as the source of photos unveiling something you can't fake. He even took it on assignments for his somewhat known by now else photography.
While on assignment to take photo of bunch dressed as brides, he sees how dude with child walks into the frame. He took it. It is hilarious and it could only happens on the street.

This is what is street photography often is. Coincidence. Sometimes it is in front of you, but most of the time you are working hard and thinking, feeling it to get this coincidence of geometry, light and correlations.

I know one catalog and jewelry photog who goes on the street every time after work.
According to her, it takes hours before it starts to line up. In her head...
 
I think public photography is apt. It involves subjects not requiring model releases or copyright licences to record, because it is taken in public. Indoors can be public, but often is not. Outdoors is almost always public but sometimes is not. So when I think of street photography, I typically think public photography.
 
Ko.Fe. said:
People also love to decline of existence for something they don't understand. Yet.
This is what is happening with OP and some others here.

Candid is only part of street photography. Fred Herzog has street pictures without people and they are great street pictures.

Then I see homeless word in threads like these, the portrait taken by Allen Bourgeois comes to me right away.
He is street photographer who works and get paid for taking portrait pictures inside.
But he goes on the street. His portrait of homeless is one one the powerful portraits I ever seen.

Klein is else photographer who learned and benefited by taking pictures on the street.
He used street as decoration for else and paid photos. And so is 5x7 dude OP just mentioned.

But.

Ellliot Erwitt is street photographer with some else pictures. He was taking pictures on the streets between assignments for else pictures and on his free time.
I have no idea what else he photographed, zero interest in it. But his street photography is recognized most, it seems. And for obvious reason.

He was thinking about street as the source of photos unveiling something you can't fake. He even took it on assignments for his somewhat known by now else photography.
While on assignment to take photo of bunch dressed as brides, he sees how dude with child walks into the frame. He took it. It is hilarious and it could only happens on the street.

This is what is street photography often is. Coincidence. Sometimes it is in front of you, but most of the time you are working hard and thinking, feeling it to get this coincidence of geometry, light and correlations.

I know one catalog and jewelry photog who goes on the street every time after work.
According to her, it takes hours before it starts to line up. In her head...
Click to expand...

Really... So i am not capable of understanding what "street photography" is?

It´s the contrary: i have more understanding of what photography is about and that´s why i think it´s embarrassingly silly.
it´s 35mm, handheld, reportage photography.
 
colker said:
Really... So i am not capable of understanding what "street photography" is?

It´s the contrary: i have more understanding of what photography is about and that´s why i think it´s embarrassingly silly.
it´s 35mm, handheld, reportage photography.
Click to expand...

Yes, you don't understand what street photography is. For some reason you are limiting yourself, by yourself.

Have a look at Helen Hill street photography. It is not reportage. It is blurred and not in focus sometimes. But it gives you some feelings.
If you are open for it, of course.

Anna Bocharova, whom I mentioned in my previous comment uses f3.5 35mm slow lens and slow shutter speeds often on the street.
It is not as primitive as reportage. It is photography which is as Helen Hill street photography. It opens something else. Something inside of us.
As long as we willing to open it.

Join us. Set yourself free from self-limiting frames.
 
What do you mean by escalated? Then one friend tells another one - you don't understand - it is not escalation. It is open and because of it most respectful observation.
 
You guys can all me "street photographer" anytime you want. It's a moniker I wear with pleasure. If only I could rise to the standard of its great tradition.

John
 
johnwolf said:
You guys can all me "street photographer" anytime you want. It's a moniker I wear with pleasure. If only I could rise to the standard of its great tradition.

John
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There is no such tradition.

I doubt any magnum photojournalist calls himself "street photographer".

There is wedding, fashion, portrait, still life, war, news and amateur photographer. No street photographer.
 
Ko.Fe. said:
Yes, you don't understand what street photography is. For some reason you are limiting yorself, by yourself.

Have a look at Helen Hill street photography. It is not reportage. It is blurred and not in focus sometimes. But it gives you some feelings.
If you are open for it, of course.

Anna Bocharova, whom I mentioned in my previous comment uses f3.5 35mm slow lens and slow shutter speeds often on the street.
It is not as primitive as reportage. It is photography which is as Helen Hill street photography. It opens something else. Something inside of us.
As long as we willing to open it.

Join us. Set yourself free from self-limiting frames.
Click to expand...

This is wildly funny...

Do you teach photography? How many books on The History of Photography have you written? How many did you read? Based on what did you create such photographic genre that never existed? i guess it is an "internet thing"..
You are an amateur photographer, right? I am not saying this as a derisive comment. On the contrary.. the term also means photography lover. Otoh, pretending to tell me i don´t understand what "street photograohy " is ... it is pompous and ridiculous. And that´s why it´s funny.
 
colker said:
There is no such tradition.

I doubt any magnum photojournalist calls himself "street photographer".

There is wedding, fashion, portrait, still life, war, news and amateur photographer. No street photographer.
Click to expand...

I suggest you do your homework.

From Magnum's web site: "Magnum Photos has a long and rich history in the genre of street photography."

https://www.magnumphotos.com/events/event/london-matt-stuart-street-photography-workshop/

https://www.magnumphotos.com/theory-and-practice/the-joy-of-seeing-magnum-street-photography/

https://www.magnumphotos.com/theory-and-practice/the-art-of-street-photography/
 
johnwolf said:
I suggest you do your homework.

From Magnum's web site: "Magnum Photos has a long and rich history in the genre of street photography."

https://www.magnumphotos.com/events/event/london-matt-stuart-street-photography-workshop/

https://www.magnumphotos.com/theory-and-practice/the-joy-of-seeing-magnum-street-photography/

https://www.magnumphotos.com/theory-and-practice/the-art-of-street-photography/
Click to expand...

LOL. Even they went w/ this nonsense?
Walker Evans shot most of his work roaming around w/ a big camera. Some of it for the administration during recession.
Is it street photography? Or is it landscape photography?
What´s called street photography on the internet is amateur photography. Again: there is nothing less in amateur photography. Vivien Mayer was an amateur. But calling it "street" and affiliating w/ people who would cringe at being called street photographers is wrong. It is misleading. Cartier-Bresson and Evans never called themselves street photographers. Neither did Frank. The term lessens photography.
If photography is viewed, sold as art.. it is art. It is not street art. Lorca di Corcia, Wall or Cartier-Bresson... they are artists as much as Mapplethorpe, Penn or Avedon. No one is a street artist.
 
I do not see anything "nonsense" with the street photography definition.

Definitions are to make things easier, we must accept and understand them with an open mind. If I meet somebody who tells me to be a photographer, doesn't matter if amateur or pro I'll probably ask him what kind of photography he does. He could answer portraits, landscape, architecture or street or...

And I have an idea of what he does. Simply like this, just my opinion.

robert
 
Street photography means different things to different people. Some have a restrictive view, others a more expansive view. Few on either side are able to articulate the criteria explicating their view, as is evident in this thread, yet this does not stop them from advocating strongly. Hence disagreements arise. Everyone thinks they are right. I would not seek resolution on a forum. However, you can ask people to clarify their position. Good luck with that. When you do, they mostly just raise their voices.
 
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