Well said Neil. One of my greatest memories was visiting Prague for the first time and one random Sunday I sat down watching (and of course photographing) life around me on a little island area in the Vltava River. There were so many little vignettes and magical moments over a few hours.
Hah! Believe it or not, I was walking to a job and this guy appeared. This is why I always say no matter what, keep the camera on the he shoulder. :) and thank you! ❤️🫡
Thanks! I had hoped to include "Dérive" into the article too, but I ran out of time and it didn't quite fit the flow of the way the text unfolded. It was on the list though, and I was going to mention that you had introduced the very concept to me. Alas.
I have Taschen Atget book. Quite a comprehensive collection, but the prints are small and maybe not great. Still, it's a good reference.
Great post! It's funny, I only recently learned the term Flâneur and it was in a different context. My very next thought was that it applies very well to street photography, and I think many of the greats were flâneurs.
Thanks so much, Bill. Absolutely. While there are probably some street photographers who don't share this practice, I think most do. Most people focus on the idea of the aimless wanderer when discussing the flâneur, but I think the curiosity is just as important a defining characteristic.
Thanks for reading, Wesley. Always appreciated. I'm glad you enjoyed it. :) The Flâneurial Gaze is such a potent concept. When I was in my 20s I used to think of the flâneur only as the idler, the aimless wanderer. It was only a bit later i realised how integral the curiosity and fascination with life is to it.
Fascinating and succinct - always a thought-provoking read and a visual treat.
Thanks so much, Richard. I'm really glad you enjoyed it. ❤️🫡
Now subscribed - will drop you an email at some point soon.
Thank you. And, I look forward to it.
Very nice article. Thanks for sharing!
Hi David. Thanks for commenting. I'm glad you enjoyed it. 🫡
Well said Neil. One of my greatest memories was visiting Prague for the first time and one random Sunday I sat down watching (and of course photographing) life around me on a little island area in the Vltava River. There were so many little vignettes and magical moments over a few hours.
Thanks, Jason. Prague is a beautiful city. A perfect place to watch and photograph :)
Great post, Neil. Love your photos, especially the Grey Wolf,
Thank you, Marcel. Grey Wolf was a last-minute addition. I wasn't sure about it, but I'm glad I added it. It seems folk really like it. ❤️🫡
How lone did you wait for that „grey wolf“ to walk by? Awesome photo! And great essay too!
Hah! Believe it or not, I was walking to a job and this guy appeared. This is why I always say no matter what, keep the camera on the he shoulder. :) and thank you! ❤️🫡
Oh, I believe you! But what are the odds to find a scene like this in Warsaw? Great job!
Hah! Yes. An odd confluence, to say the least.
Epic edition.
Thanks, man! ❤️🫡
Great article. I must dig out my book on Atget.
One of the reasons I like photography is that it gives me one excuse to be a flâneur.
Thanks! I had hoped to include "Dérive" into the article too, but I ran out of time and it didn't quite fit the flow of the way the text unfolded. It was on the list though, and I was going to mention that you had introduced the very concept to me. Alas.
I have Taschen Atget book. Quite a comprehensive collection, but the prints are small and maybe not great. Still, it's a good reference.
You can’t fit everything in and you had plenty of interesting things to say about flâneur-ing.
That’s the Atget book I have. I’ll have a look through it tomorrow.
Great post! It's funny, I only recently learned the term Flâneur and it was in a different context. My very next thought was that it applies very well to street photography, and I think many of the greats were flâneurs.
Thanks so much, Bill. Absolutely. While there are probably some street photographers who don't share this practice, I think most do. Most people focus on the idea of the aimless wanderer when discussing the flâneur, but I think the curiosity is just as important a defining characteristic.
Good point! Without the curiosity, it's just wandering. Curiously wandering is key.
Thanks for reading, Wesley. Always appreciated. I'm glad you enjoyed it. :) The Flâneurial Gaze is such a potent concept. When I was in my 20s I used to think of the flâneur only as the idler, the aimless wanderer. It was only a bit later i realised how integral the curiosity and fascination with life is to it.
"The Flâneurial Gaze" I love this take and term!
Google Translate did a great job with your comment. I hope it did as well with my thanks:
Me alegra que hayas disfrutado el artículo. Muchas gracias por tu comentario. :)