Street Gurus

I agree the mentor approach is not ideal. Maybe "facilitator" is better -- someone to act as catalyst, to move things along and keep them on track. But a completely open SP forum is OK with me, too. Anything to give some dedicated space would be welcome.

John
 
fireblade said:
Who is this kid?
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Alex Coghe.

Some of his street work is quite good, however, take a look at his Flickr stream and you'll soon see where the "vagina" analogy comes from (he dabbles in, um, "erotica" (?) too). Also, Alex's first language is not English and occasionally his writing doesn't come across that well. Thats not a criticism, per se, however, I'd rather him just post in Italian and I can rely on Google translate to *******ise what he is saying and blame that.

I have always found Alex's claims to be a photo journalist a bit disconcerting, really. I don't think he needs to make such claims (I struggle to see any tear sheets, etc). He should stick to the street photography that he is quite capable of doing and perhaps consider cutting back on his pearls of wisdom.

If he builds a decent body of work, they will come.

Um, perhaps I could have worded that last bit better.
 
kbg32 said:
I don't think there needs to be any "mentors" or polls. I believe the whole issue of "mentors" is wrong. One can argue one's street cred and I wouldn't want that to be an issue. I believe we should have a place where we, hopefully, can exchange ideas, thoughts, discuss issues, and discover.
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++++++++++1
 
Street photography is contentious enough around here without trying to find someone here to be a mentor or 'voice.' Unless we're aiming to get the arguments going right from the off 🙂
 
Actually, mentors are fun here and tradition. One is talking about bags, some about Leicas and Roger about everything 🙂

I see absolutely nothing wrong if same tradition to be kept this way instead of dumping "street" sub on RFF. Next is "sports", "nudes" and "macro", dominated by gearheads, you know.
 
To be Devil's Advocate, I don't think the idea of having mentors, for want of a better title (all semantics) is a bad idea. The idea, in itself, for those a) seeking some guidance from someone who b) has a particular style that they, understandably, will end up emulating, in some respects, is, in fact, quite admirable.

The whole issue of it being contentious is merely down to the personalities of the individual members who make it so.

For the record, I wouldn't use a mentorship. But if it is taken in the same spirit as it should be offered, I'm not sure where the harm is to those who chose not to use the "service".
 
Not sure that a contest is a winning reason follow someone over someone else, but I prefer Alex's street work over Overgaard's in any case. Both are blighted by wanting to be associated with a particular brand (arguably for the sake of exposure). I suppose I should qualify that with an "in my opinion".
 
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Black said:
Not sure that a contest is a winning reason follow someone over someone else, but I prefer Alex's street work over Overgaard's in any case. Both are blighted by wanting to be associated with a particular brand (arguably for the sake of exposure). I suppose I show;d qualify that with an "in my opinion".
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agree 100%

street is not something that can be taught, mentored, etc

people should worry about finding their own style
 
yeah- -- i've got some i like- -- but i do my own thing and don't care what others think --

i do follow both kbg and chris weeks -among others --- right now, i'm much more entranced with shooting roller derby, skateboarding and hockey than street ---
 
I'll be glad to see a 'street' section whether mentored or not. My point, perhaps should have been better worded, is simply that a consensus on what SP is seems impossible to come to - here or anywhere else. As such I simply see a tough time for anyone taking on the role of mentor and no doubt having various barbs aimed their way.
 
Agree with the street photography sub-forum.

Disagree with the mentor idea. There are a few good street photographers here. I'd rather all of them participate than singling one out above the others.
 
None of the current mentor forums involve actual mentoring, so let's not get hung up on that term. I see value in someone taking leadership on the street photography topic, assuming they recognize and appreciate the genre's diversity. Again, more as catalyst and facilitator than as teacher.

John
 
A moderator or mediator would be more in line....... I don't think this is something we should vote on either. To presume a mentor ends up being something of a popularity contest here on RFF. It's not what I think myself or others envision.

If anyone is open to ideas.... Should Stephan just pick someone, or should we have one of the RFF moderators step up to the plate? Someone has to be somewhat open and neutral...
 
Well, I think we should possibly wait until a Street forum receives the green light, before any grand plans are made to staff it 😉
 
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