Who else doesn't get street photography?

[Lss]

Sure, there are all sorts of genres with mediocre photography. Only a very small percentage of photography of any genre has true merit and is extraordinary, but it appears that street photography is routinely praised as extraordinary regardless of whether it is extraordinary, poor, mediocre, or just plain ordinary.

Where and how does this appear? And the same is not true for example for portrait photography? I don't really buy it.

 

[John Lawrence]

it appears that street photography is routinely praised as extraordinary regardless of whether it is extraordinary, poor, mediocre, or just plain ordinary.

Just curious if anyone else has the same opinion.

I do, and a few years back read an article in which the writer described much of it as, 'The emperor's new clothes' - which seemed quite apt.

Cheers,

John

 

[Erik van Straten]

I love street photography.

Contax I, Nikkor 50mm f/2, 400-2TMY.

Erik.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=211490&postcount=35

D: ... The term "street photography" and your name have been synonymous for quite some time....
W: .... I think that those kind of distinctions and lists of titles like "street photographer" are so stupid.

+1 for

I love street photography

🙂

 

[benlees]

Public forums aren't crit sessions at your local art college. People like to show their stuff. Some it will be good and lots will be bad. Some people will be supportive of the bad photos. Where is the problem? Do we need another photo of a mountain? Or a photo of young attractive people drinking PBR? Sure, why not?

 

[JHutchins]

Perfectly abstract criticism is perfectly useless. In my experience the only thing that gets more interesting the more abstract it gets is mathematics. Instead of speaking of the thousands or millions of images that can be lumped together as "street photography", why not pick out a few that are representative of the problems you see, or name a photographer you don't get. Then there's a chance that someone will have something interesting to say.

I'm not criticizing anything, it's just an observation.

Sure, there are all sorts of genres with mediocre photography. Only a very small percentage of photography of any genre has true merit and is extraordinary, but it appears that street photography is routinely praised as extraordinary regardless of whether it is extraordinary, poor, mediocre, or just plain ordinary.

Just curious if anyone else has the same opinion.

Won't be able to reply again for a few hours.

 

[KM-25]

you see more anti street photography threads than anti landscape threads...

That's probably because landscapes can't and won't complain about having their likeness posted on social media or flickr without their permission.

I love great street photography but it is far and few between compared to a fair amount of documentary style work in that even though the documentary may be candid, there is at least a modicum of collaboration between the subject and image maker.

Street now, in 2017 seems like a similar operation to a trophy hunter, there is the hunter, the victim and the trophy. In too many cases, there is simply not much respect for the hunted.

 

[brennanphotoguy]

That's probably because landscapes can't and won't complain about having their likeness posted on social media or flickr without their permission.

I love great street photography but it is far and few between compared to a fair amount of documentary style work in that even though the documentary may be candid, there is at least a modicum of collaboration between the subject and image maker.

Street now, in 2017 seems like a similar operation to a trophy hunter, there is the hunter, the victim and the trophy. There is simply not much respect for the hunted.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photography_and_the_law#United_States

I hate this argument about posting people's likeness on social media. I've been living in NYC for 4 years shooting street and can count on one hand the amount of confrontations I've had and two were from rent-a-cops outside of Madison Square Garden. People can throw a fit about me taking a photo of them crossing the street but at the end of the day, I can do it. Am I saying it's right or ok to go to a park alone and give kids candy in exchange for their photograph? No. There is a distinction between what is legally ok and what is morally ok. Some people's morals are different but generally speaking, most people stay in the confines of what would be acceptable in the street photography community. (I can't think of a better term than "street photography" for the conversation.)

 

[Lss]

Street now, in 2017 seems like a similar operation to a trophy hunter, there is the hunter, the victim and the trophy. In too many cases, there is simply not much respect for the hunted.

A hostile take on photography.

 

[Emile de Leon]

Like anything else..some people are good at it..and some aint..and most..are squarely in the middle..and even get lucky..once in a while..

 

[Huss]

I cannot get enough of shots of the backs of people's heads, or creeper shots of women walking by.

 

[one90guy]

Years ago when the mall opened here our downtown died, only photos of empty sidewalks and very little traffic. And now the mall is just about empty. So I concentrate on birds.

David

 

[KM-25]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photography_and_the_law#United_States

I hate this argument about posting people's likeness on social media. I've been living in NYC for 4 years shooting street and can count on one hand the amount of confrontations I've had and two were from rent-a-cops outside of Madison Square Garden. People can throw a fit about me taking a photo of them crossing the street but at the end of the day, I can do it. Am I saying it's right or ok to go to a park alone and give kids candy in exchange for their photograph? No. There is a distinction between what is legally ok and what is morally ok. Some people's morals are different but generally speaking, most people stay in the confines of what would be acceptable in the street photography community. (I can't think of a better term than "street photography" for the conversation.)

Just be aware that as a full time woking pro with almost 30 years experience, I know full well what our rights are but also understand that the big picture perception of the pursuit of street has changed with social media and the web in general, so you are in effect preaching to the choir?

Another thing to note is that NYC is a different animal when it comes to how people react to having their photo taken without permission, so one not ought to apply such a broad assertion to all cases. Even with letters of assignment, I have had confrontations with people that I had to de-escalate, prove my publication intent and it is not fun. In 2006 I made the AP wire when a drug crazed friend of Hunter Thompson's pumped a few rounds of 12 gauge over my hastily departing truck.

Yes...you have a right but be aware that your rights and what is right may not always align with those on the other end of the camera. One should be a voice of reason and respect when navigating opposing views of the right to photograph people they do not know in public places.

 

[KM-25]

A hostile take on photography.

You mean if the hunted, right?

Because hobby street photographers often can not see how they are making people feel uncomfortable all for the sake of their hobby and how to deal with that outcome with empathy and humility.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I cannot get enough of shots of the backs of people's heads, or creeper shots of women walking by.

Yea! Whatta shame those are:

https://www.moma.org/calendar/exhibitions/967?locale=en

http://ccp-emuseum.catnet.arizona.e...ate:flow=d8a05c17-46a0-4ab9-aabd-c03725fcb44b

 

[Erik van Straten]

hobby street photographers often can not see how they are making people feel uncomfortable

Do you know how often you are caught by security cameras every day?

Erik.

 

[Tompas]

(...) A world with one Cartier Bresson had a few outstanding photographers. A world with two million Cartier Bressons produces a lot of sameness.

Maybe I misunderstand you, but if not:

Please name one of your Cartier-Bressons, or five?

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Street now, in 2017 seems like a similar operation to a trophy hunter, there is the hunter, the victim and the trophy.

He once compared himself to a fisherman. The most important thing was to approach his catch cautiously, and to strike at just the right moment. The only difference was that the catch was not an animal but a chance.

Read the rest here to learn about one the fathers of so called "street photography".

 

[KM-25]

Do you know how often you are caught by security cameras every day?

Erik.

Yeah, I wish they would get my good side but my pants are always up...😀

By the way, love your work the Erik, but you should know that.

 

[brennanphotoguy]

They stalk the homeless here. Totally unforgiving in their pursuit of a" like" on whatever social media site they use. Really sick stuff.

Photos of homeless people are the low hanging fruit of street. There is just nothing to be gained from it generally.