Only Street

[Rob C]

Okay, it was suggested we set up a street section.

In the hope that the management will agree to do that, here's a taster, no, a leap off the high board into the deep end:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WC2mjwwtAQo

Tells you all you need to know; the streets are yours - go use 'em!

;-)

[OmerV]

That's a high standard you've set, Rob.

Still, here's one:

[RSL]

Klein's stuff was unusual -- at least at the time. He overexposed, underexposed, blew out highlights, submerged lows. But the stuff was dynamic. It's not my cuppa tea, but it's worth studying his work.

And, Omer, from the look on that girl's face it's probably a good thing you didn't get close enough for her to whack you with a coffee pot.

[Rob C]

That's a high standard you've set, Rob.

Still, here's one:

No, it's one the twenty-something-year-old Klein set!

I can only wish.

Rob

[OmerV]

Klein's stuff was unusual -- at least at the time. He overexposed, underexposed, blew out highlights, submerged lows. But the stuff was dynamic. It's not my cuppa tea, but it's worth studying his work.

And, Omer, from the look on that girl's face it's probably a good thing you didn't get close enough for her to whack you with a coffee pot.

She wasn’t angry, we both smiled after I put the camera down.

No, it's one the twenty-something-year-old Klein set!

I can only wish.

Rob

I know Klein’s work, and as Russ suggests, Klein had a wild but powerful style. He is a favorite.

[KLaban]

I've yet to see a convincing definition of the genre.

[Rob C]

I've yet to see a convincing definition of the genre.

It's easier to subdivide it into what isn't street. And I don't think that much of what goes for street today actually is.

Fortunately, I have about five minutes before I must leave for lunch, so I can escape any analysis of what is or is not street according to my own quirks and prejudices!

;-)

[KLaban]

It's easier to subdivide it into what isn't street. And I don't think that much of what goes for street today actually is.

Fortunately, I have about five minutes before I must leave for lunch, so I can escape any analysis of what is or is not street according to my own quirks and prejudices!

;-)

No hurry, Rob, on your return will do.

;-)

[32BT]

I've yet to see a convincing definition of the genre.

Ha, but that isn't needed to subdivide the forum. First of all we only need a convincing defenition amongst ourselves here (admittedly, an improbability), but moreover, we all probably do agree on one thing; that it is not landscape photography.

For me, the idea that seems to be used most on this forum is that streetphotography is a picture that illustrates a story, preferably including an ambiguity and/or metaphore.

Just shooting random people, especially in dire circumstances, doesn't seem to fit that bill, although i can live quite happily with good streetportraits being part of such a subforum. We might find the proper definition as we go?

[RSL]

I've yet to see a convincing definition of the genre.

And you never will, Keith. To understand what street is you have to study the work of the people who defined the genre -- not with words but with photographs. HCB, of course, is at the top of that list. Robert Frank is another major influence on street, as are Walker Evans and Garry Winogrand. I could go on with a longer study list, but you can see a bunch of them in my photographic bibliography.

But street isn't the only genre you can't really define. Try landscape. We all know what landscape is. Right? Is a picture of a bush landscape? Is a closeup of a tree trunk landscape? Check the landscape section and see what you think.

As is the case with any genre, there are good examples and bad examples, but all examples fall somewhere within reach of a central idea.

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

Well, for the definition-hungry, one definition of "Landscape" is an image that is wider than it is high. The other way is a "Portrait."
So maybe "Street" is ...    

The best definition of Street photography, IMHO, is what Russ just suggested: Look at what those four were doing.
As for Klein's New York book that Rob posted, I feel that probably less than half of the images are what I would consider Street. Many of the others were clearly directed by Klein, which takes them out of the purist Street category (IMHO, of course.)

[Christopher Sanderson]

I have added a Street Forum.

I believe that some of Michael Reichmann's strongest photography was street and documentary. Certainly in the last few years of his life, some of his happiest hours were walking the streets of San Miguel de Allende. His eye was quick and decisive - often highly successful. I will post occasional images of his there.

Chris

[Christopher Sanderson]

PM me if you would like one or some of the current 'Street' threads re-posted there

[Rob C]

PM me if you would like one or some of the current 'Street' threads re-posted there

Great stuff, Chris! And thanks!

For my part, I'd be perfectly happy for you to put anything I have posted on the topic into the new section.

Rob

[OmerV]

PM me if you would like one or some of the current 'Street' threads re-posted there

You could move this entire thread into the new Street Forum. I don't mind and if the other posters don't mind.

[RSL]

Thanks, Chris. And thanks too for the insight into Michael's approach to photography. He was the real thing. Miss him.

[BobDavid]

Thanks, Chris. And thanks too for the insight into Michael's approach to photography. He was the real thing. Miss him.

+1

[Rob C]

Thanks, Chris. And thanks too for the insight into Michael's approach to photography. He was the real thing. Miss him.

Too true!

Rob

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

Great news! Thanks for that, Chris, and for reminding us again of the variety Michael's vision.

Eric

[Rob C]

I've yet to see a convincing definition of the genre.

Street candids?