Is Street Phtography like Jules Aaron's work...

venchka

venchka

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...remotely possible in this day & age? Or have the Nanny Police put a damper on what folks are willing and able to do? Has urban life changed so much that folks don't "hang out" like they used to? I've never tried street photography because I A) Haven't lived in an urban setting and/or B) Never trusted my safety in these settings.

What say ye? Mr. Aaron's work was featured very prominently on "This Old House" last Saturday. He definitely proved one thing: A TLR works on the streets.

http://www.williamlanday.com/2010/02/02/the-street-photography-of-jules-aarons/
 
I suppose if you live in a real city it's possible. Houston isn't a real city.
Do folks mind having their pictures taken?
 
Nothing?
"You can't shoot on the street with a TLR."
Society today is different.
I will say that the folks in the 50s were dressed well. Maybe Mr. Aarons only went out on Sunday mornings?
Can you do it today? Assuming an urban residential enviornment. Where I live the only urban residential real estate is big bucks, high dollar, mega-condos. I assure you that the residents don't hang out on the corner.
 
venchka said:
I suppose if you live in a real city it's possible. Houston isn't a real city.

Do folks mind having their pictures taken?
Click to expand...

Yes, some people do mind, some people don't. It depends on your approach and other variables. Houston is certainly a real city with plenty to photograph I would imagine. You just have to get out there and explore. Also, talking with people before you take their picture works.

People aren't hanging out in the street in the 5th Ward section? Man, my rap albums lied to me... 😉
 
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I recently read an interview with Helen Levitt who said that people don't hang around on the streets like they used to. Granted, when she made the comment she may have been a 90-something recluse.

You'll never take pictures in Huston in 2010 that look like Boston in 1950, but I'm sure there is stuff happening out there.
 
Yep. Stuff happening for sure. Shootings. Robberies. Muggings. I'm in the wrong ethnic group. I'm chicken.

Thinking about it did give me an idea: Congregations after church.
 
Do you have any swimming areas, beaches, places people play sports (skateboard, basketball, etc.), places people see live music outdoors, parks, amusement parks, etc in your area?

Also, sometimes you have to travel into less comfortable neighborhoods. Yes, I know... you don't want to get killed, but do your research and stick to main streets etc during the day and you should be alright.
 
venchka said:
Yep. Stuff happening for sure. Shootings. Robberies. Muggings. I'm in the wrong ethnic group. I'm chicken.

Thinking about it did give me an idea: Congregations after church.
Click to expand...

I agree there's no point in endangering yourself unnecessarily. Perhaps you could think about what you like about classic-era street photography and attempt to scratch that itch in a different context. I like the church congregation idea.
 
Nothings changed, people still brawl on the street and hang out on the street, question is given a TLR, do you have the nerve to get into the thick of it.? There never was a "nice" street which had a "edge" to it.. meaning to get the more edgy images the photographer always had to leave the polished areas of town with their expensive cameras. nothing new here.


Bo

www.bophoto.typepad.com
 
I have used a TLR for street photography on a few occasions and I have encountered two possible reactions. If you're subtle, most people don't notice you. Others see your camera, and develop a look of tremendous confusion.
 
thanks for the link. I wasn't familiar with Aaron's work.

I think this kind of work is still possible, though not necessarily in quite the same flavor as he did it. the nanny police are an issue. the ubiquity of camera phones are another challenge. still, if you keep your eyes open there are opportunities to record images that can surprise us. obviously, the public reacts to the presence of cameras and photographers differently than in the past. it less of a novelty now than it once was. there are security concerns that are real and those that are merely paranoia. Also, we live in a time where some people seem to imagine themselves to be celebrities-in-waiting, just preparing for their fifteen minutes of Warholian fame and vamping for the camera. Balanced against that is the fear that people with cameras are potential terror threats. Still, I think the fly-on-wall moments are out there to capture if one is observant and patient.
 
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