I've got it! A new, better name for "Street"!

[sdotkling]

I consider this a personal mission to rid the world of the dreadful term "street photography." My feeling has always been that it's just "out in the real world" photography, and should not be denigrated with such a crappy name. "Street" sounds to me like "gutter photography," somehow unworthy and different from r-e-a-l photography.

How about "Reportage"? Whether you are a journalist or not, I think it works.

Who's with me? Show of hands?

 

[greyelm]

Sorry but "street" is fine by me. "Reportage" makes me think of an assignment to report on a specific event as opposed to the randomness of street.

 

[kbg32]

Sorry, but I don't find the term "street photography" dreadful at all.

"out in the real world" photography", pretty much encapsulates everything.

 

[DNG]

Why change???

What is the "Issue" with "Street Photography? sdotkling

We should change the phrase "I have a Photo Shoot", to "I have a Photo Session:... because is sounds like I am going to kill someone....

Don't worry about what OTHERS think....In this instance....

 

[segedi]

Now, if I take photos of streets...

 

[MC JC86]

"Street" sounds to me like "gutter photography," somehow unworthy and different from r-e-a-l photography.

Rorschach anyone?



I think "street" fits perfectly. Just general and narrow enough to define what "it" is.

 

[Moriturii]

How about just "photography"?

 

[Mr_Toad]

.

I live in an exceedingly sanitary suburb....

So, I'm delighted when I can get some gutter in my pix.

 

[tomalophicon]

You could actually be out on the street right now taking pictures.

 

[Roger Hicks]

When did the term 'street' first appear? And where? And why? What is 'street' that isn't 'photojournalism' or 'reportage'? Did HCB or Willy Ronis do 'street'? Why do people feel the need to put their pictures into straitjacketed categories?

I'm with the others who just take pictures. If people who don't take pictures (or who take bloody awful pictures) want to stick labels on their work, or mine, I don't see it as my problem.

Cheers,

R.

 

[sdotkling]

Well, then maybe I should go the other way, and sub-specialize in PAVED street photography, or even throw all caution to the winds and try Dirt Road photography, or even Suburban Lane photography...which is for a classier set of people, I'm sure.

 

[ruby.monkey]

How about Photovoyeurnalism?

 

[perudo]

when I read such a topic, I just think I should turn off my computer and go out shooting

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Back from finishing off a roll with the Contax III and a post-war Sonnar.

I was walking on the street while taking pictures. Walked up to the local cemetery.

Dead-End Street Photography.

 

[Jack Conrad]

Reportage? Nope...

I like the sound of gutter photography though. It beats roadkill photography all to hell in my opinion.

I go with gutter. Yeah...

 

[FrankS]

I have no issue with the term. It would be interesting to learn when/how it originated. I also don't have an issue with descriptive terms for other, different types of photography.

 

[Keith]

I think the aversion to 'street' as a description is common with photographers who don't really embrace it as anything special or that different ... I confess to being one of those.

When I look at Winogrand's images I'm not really thinking 'street' I'm just thinking 'people and situations!' The need to give this style of photography a label exists as a reality for some I guess but ... not for me. Landscape's a tricky one too IMO ... does there have to be 'land' involved?

 

[Ken Ford]

I prefer "urban landscape" - to me, "street" has certain guerrilla implications.

 

[Rob-F]

I can understand how certain words can have a negative connotation for one person, and not for others. There are words I don't like, like "juxtaposition" and "fraught." So I try to find some other way to say it. Not always successfully. For some, "street photography" may have a negative association; that's not hard to understand. There must be another way to say it. How about "avenue imaging?" "Public Photography?"

"Reportage?" No, I think not.

BTW, "street photography" works for me.

I wonder what HCB called it?

 

[Keith]

I can understand how certain words can have a negative connotation for one person, and not for others. There are words I don't like, like "juxtaposition" and "fraught." So I try to find some other way to say it. Not always successfully. For some, "street photography" may have a negative association; that's not hard to understand. There must be another way to say it. How about "avenue imaging?" "Public Photography?"

"Reportage?" No, I think not.

BTW, "street photography" works for me.

I wonder what HCB called it?

Only those who havent gone digital! :angel: