A very interesting article. I agree the key to good documentary street photography is to be “in the zone “ and I believe your observational skills are by far the most important attribute over photography technique and camera 👍
Thanks Chris. Much appreciated. In my early days, I used to walk around with music on, though eventually I learned that being aware of what's around is crucial. Now, I may put some music on if I'm moving from one place to another, but when I'm working, the airpods go back in the pocket. :)
Interesting read and I love your 'hilarious laughter' capture - definitely a cut above the typical 'cookie-cutter' juxta (as defined by Thomas Stanworth.)
"A photographer is an acrobat treading the high wire of chance, trying to capture shooting stars.” (Guy Le Querrec)
Thanks Richard. I hadn't read that editorial by Stanworth until now. I agree with most of it. I'm not sure I'd be as hard on juxta as he is - especially as someone making a juxtaposition is at least thinking about their photography rather than just another dull photograph of someone walking past. That said, the spirit of what he wrote is absolutely spot on and the most obvious juxtas, we've all seen them before. That's why I often suggest my students spend some time on Street Repeat to see what's been done.
As a side note, I had a short time trying to take Reddit seriously but the street photography sub there is full of tedious dross. Much like music, over time definitions change, and what I consider to be good street photography seems to have been supplanted by easy, boring tat. Much in the same way that indie pop today bears little relation to indie pop from the C86 era. Possibly a subject for a future issue.
Thanks for your comment. And the quote was almost used in the article, however, I chose another from Le Querrec.
Cheers Neil. Agreed. Majority of insta, Reddit, FB etc. full of street 'dross' taken by people unable / incapable (unconsciously incompetent) of distinguishing between 'street photography' in its truest form and simple documentation / reproduction / record of people who just happen to be on the street. (also conscious that I have many a cookie-cutter image in my portfolio!). Look forward to reading your next article.
Oh, I have a number of them too. I'm not beyond the odd cookie cutter, certainly. My sincere opinion is that one should photograph what one likes. I don't want to gate-keep those that enjoy the lower hanging fruits - I just strive for a little more. I think everyone, including myself, could do a better job at editing.
Agreed although many appear to lack the insight as to the key elements that distinguish 'high' from 'low' hanging fruit with a tendency to rate competence on the basis of 'insta' likes for instance. There is a big difference between 'Conscious incompetence' (as per your narrative above) and 'Unconscious incompetence'. Dunning-Kruger effect rife in street photography in my view. “If you’re incompetent, you can’t know you’re incompetent. The skills you need to produce a right answer are exactly the skills you need to recognise what a right answer is.” (Dunning).
I don't know how my name got dragged into it, but great article nonetheless... 😏
Hah! Cheers Mark. Thanks for reading. ❤️🫡
A very interesting article. I agree the key to good documentary street photography is to be “in the zone “ and I believe your observational skills are by far the most important attribute over photography technique and camera 👍
Thanks Chris. Much appreciated. In my early days, I used to walk around with music on, though eventually I learned that being aware of what's around is crucial. Now, I may put some music on if I'm moving from one place to another, but when I'm working, the airpods go back in the pocket. :)
Interesting read and I love your 'hilarious laughter' capture - definitely a cut above the typical 'cookie-cutter' juxta (as defined by Thomas Stanworth.)
"A photographer is an acrobat treading the high wire of chance, trying to capture shooting stars.” (Guy Le Querrec)
Thanks Richard. I hadn't read that editorial by Stanworth until now. I agree with most of it. I'm not sure I'd be as hard on juxta as he is - especially as someone making a juxtaposition is at least thinking about their photography rather than just another dull photograph of someone walking past. That said, the spirit of what he wrote is absolutely spot on and the most obvious juxtas, we've all seen them before. That's why I often suggest my students spend some time on Street Repeat to see what's been done.
As a side note, I had a short time trying to take Reddit seriously but the street photography sub there is full of tedious dross. Much like music, over time definitions change, and what I consider to be good street photography seems to have been supplanted by easy, boring tat. Much in the same way that indie pop today bears little relation to indie pop from the C86 era. Possibly a subject for a future issue.
Thanks for your comment. And the quote was almost used in the article, however, I chose another from Le Querrec.
All the best!
Cheers Neil. Agreed. Majority of insta, Reddit, FB etc. full of street 'dross' taken by people unable / incapable (unconsciously incompetent) of distinguishing between 'street photography' in its truest form and simple documentation / reproduction / record of people who just happen to be on the street. (also conscious that I have many a cookie-cutter image in my portfolio!). Look forward to reading your next article.
Oh, I have a number of them too. I'm not beyond the odd cookie cutter, certainly. My sincere opinion is that one should photograph what one likes. I don't want to gate-keep those that enjoy the lower hanging fruits - I just strive for a little more. I think everyone, including myself, could do a better job at editing.
Agreed although many appear to lack the insight as to the key elements that distinguish 'high' from 'low' hanging fruit with a tendency to rate competence on the basis of 'insta' likes for instance. There is a big difference between 'Conscious incompetence' (as per your narrative above) and 'Unconscious incompetence'. Dunning-Kruger effect rife in street photography in my view. “If you’re incompetent, you can’t know you’re incompetent. The skills you need to produce a right answer are exactly the skills you need to recognise what a right answer is.” (Dunning).
Chance and accidents are playing a big role in street photography I totally agree!