Talking from a non professional. I remember years ago having a small following for my 'aesthetic' street stuff i.e. the usual stuff that was popular at the time, people walking through shadows etc. and I remember one particular shot I took and thinking 'wow im really bored of this' however the pull between what I want and what I was expected to do was huge. I remember speaking to a few friends and they said it was what I was known for and to move away would be negative more than positive with my 'presence' however I decided I didnt want to be a particular type of photographer with an expectation I just wanted to capture what I love and enjoy. So I did it, and yes engagement dropped, followers left, likes plummeted but what increased was my personal enjoyment and satisfaction. I now have a smaller 'audience' but a strong core who support me and love me for whatever I do and ultimately again I am happier for it. Moving away from a 'box' is daunting but if it works for your own happiness I would strongly encourage it as I think your best work comes when you are enjoying the process and capturing whatever it is that interests you at that time. There is no need to be rigid.
What an absolutely fascinating and insightful chat. In recent years I have gravitated almost exclusively to what we all perceive as street, yet my website still has many of my old portrait, landscapes and live music stuff, as well as my street work. For a long while I have been contemplating removing all of the non street stuff, however each time I remind myself of how proud I am of the work, and how important it is to be versatile and attempt to avoid frustration by boxing myself in. Thank you for providing this clarity.
Another wonderful video on a strong topic... I recently fell into this "trap" called myseld a street photographer when o was doing street... But then i found myself documenting event around me, be that local traditions, just life as it is... I got so hung up on what i think onshould be doing I lost my way. Now I say I document the beauty in the mundane - that can be street, landscapes, seascapes, a missing wetsuit boot on the wall - you get the ideal - since doing this my enjoyed and photography as impeoved ten fold.
I'm in a box-it's called photography. Since 2009, I started out with landscape, then found candid or street, then portraiture, then architectural, then still life and now I consider myself just a simple photographer who shoots what I like. Recently came back to film (from the 60's) for a diversion, but the chemical smells have slowed me down. If I like what I'm doing that is what's important.
I've been photographing weddings professionally since 2012, but because photography is such a personal endeavor of mine, I mix with capturing life moments on the streets. I now have my dedicated UA-cam channel on street photography because it's the genre that brings me the most joy. Though I appreciate the chaos that naturally unfolds during a wedding, I much more enjoy the serendipity that the street has to offer. I've also been collecting photobooks for the past 15 years and that also helps to widen the spectrum of what's possible and interesting with a camera.
This video is like a breath of fresh air. I agree that we spend an inordinate amount of time defining, classifying, or categorizing our photography. Some of the best advice I've heard, aside from yours, was in a comment on UA-cam: shoot what you like and call it what you like. It's liberating not having to worry about into which pigeon hole one's photographs will fit.
Whenever I'm asked, or when I write a mini bio about myself, I always say, "I fancy myself a Street/Documentary photographer, but let's be honest, I simply just take photos of whatever, whoever, and wherever I find interesting enough to photograph." I agree with what you're saying. I used to be a part of several street photography groups on Facebook. I eventually left most of them, but I noticed something, every group I was a part of had a different definition of street photography. After awhile I decided I could care less what others think my photography genre is. I just love taking photos. 😊
What is street photography is an extremely personal definition, ask 10 people and you'll get 10 different answers. Which is kinda fun, seeing how each person interprets and shows the different kinds of street on their work.
Thank you for another excellent video Jeff. I have enjoyed making photographs as an amateur for about 50 years now but pretty much stuck to one or two genres for a large part of that time. My bookshelf however would suggest otherwise as I take inspiration from many other genres and these days enjoy street, urban architecture, concert, documentary, landscapes and travel etc. Photography is my passion whatever the box it is labelled as and rather than being a Jack of all trades (genres), I like to consider myself to be more of a magpie taking a bit of everything I like and throwing it into the mix when I make a photo. Thanks for another great book review too, following you might get expensive if the start of this year is anything to go by! 😂😂😂
I take all kinds of photos and find inspiration from many sources. I've occasionally felt I should try and focus on one genre but the reality is my photography doesn't matter to anyone but me so I pursue whatever is of interest. I do love the book recommendations and am currently engrossed in the Moriyama series so thanks for that! I did order the William Klein book and I really need to slow down on the book buying as it's only January!
Interesting video Jeff , and a great topic too. Over the years I’ve been in lots of different boxes photography wise , mainly because I like a new challenge as i can get stuck in a rut easily. I’ve done Macro, nature, birds / wildlife , landscape all to a decent standard ( subjective 😊) then 8 years ago I came across Alan Schaller and Mark Fearnley and I decided I wanted to try my hand at that kind of street photography, I also really enjoy asking strangers for portraits, I love the engagement of meeting strangers , I’m 70 now and I still go to London and other cities as often as possible, I also go into my local city of Worcester more often as I find it more challenging, thanks for a good subject this month.
Well said Jeff - I like the term increasing your visual vocabulary….I’ve never been comfortable with labels or genres but you’re spot of about camera manufacturers and the tech giants putting us in boxes. I’ve found of late my first love of landscape/outdoor photography has improved by spending the last few year doing street/candid and portrait photography - interesting to apply different techniques and approaches across “boxes”. Thanks for the great video!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this, very interesting. I'm also a big fan of William Klein since the 1970s. Funny thing, I followed you back in the day when you were a Canon ambassador but until today I never made the connection😀I'm sure you have mentioned that before on the channel but I have missed it.
I don’t talk about it much. My last couple of years with Canon weren’t the best for me mentally and were tainted by the idiocracy in charge of the program. I’d rather move on. But I thought it was relevant here. Which was ok.
I think you summed it up well with the algorithmic purpose behind these labels, and you’re right that photography is photography. Meyerowitz is a prime example of someone for whom his street work is only part of the amazing overall picture of the man’s study of life. Enjoying your videos.
This is why I ended up leaving camera clubs. I’m not a professional so I take photos of things that interest me in the street whether that is people, architecture, beach scenes etc. I hated the fact I was constantly being maligned regarding my photos because they did not fit the related genre in their view.
Camera clubs can be some of the worst places to spend your time as a photographer. One or two are very good, we have one on this part of the coast which is exceptional, but that’s quite rare. In my experience.
Interesting topic, I would class myself as an amateur street photographer, but have an interest in other genres too like’ landscape, portrait and architecture. Street photography is one of those buckets to help people find my work, rather than just describing myself as an amateur photographer. The comment you had on the beach shots not being street photography does make me smile, as it shows that to some, street photography is literally just that 😅
I've always found it hard to put myself into a box. ALL the advice I've had from other more successful photographers/creatives is to get a genre, style, niche etc... so I can sell and be sold. So my voice comes through stronger. It's been really hard to get from 'jobbing' photographer shooting different things for survival money, to being known (locally) for what I do, and a higher income. Hard to be brave and show/shoot exactly how I want to, and believe I'll still get work. It's an ongoing process for me.
If you define success by the amount of money a photographer earns, ie the commercial side of photography, then yes you will always end up in a box because you have to deliver what you have advertised. Been there. Done that. But, if you want to grow as a photographer, putting yourself in a box is the wrong thing to do IMHO. That's why there are lots of photographers who are very good at weddings, but who struggle to take a decent image outside of a wedding day.
@@WalkLikeAlice I think success for me is having enough for your needs, and then always growing as a photographer. I was a musician before, and it's the same thought really. BUT, it's getting harder to survive as a commercial photographer, so I suppose that's why I feel pulled that way... even though it feels un-natural. Thanks for the video Jeff!
I wholeheartedly agree. Recently I was asked by a pro photographer what genre I was into and I felt somewhat uncomfortable just saying 'street.' Although it is my main focus, in terms of niche, I wouldn't call myself a purely street photographer. My artistic flair and sensibilities take me outside of many people's idea of what that is. I also see so many people online, criticising others for not sticking to the boundaries of what they define as street photography. It just strikes me as limiting and restrictive on some very beautiful and artistic talent.
@WalkLikeAlice I think there is a generous helping of that. However I think it also speaks to the wider issues. How people are taught to limit themselves and comply with accepted norms. Some of course are only too happy to limit themselves, as this requires of them, much lower standards and when it becomes widely acceptable, stifles those who wish to explore and expand.
Great video and topic. After 50 years of photography I can’t think of anything more boring than being restricted to one genre. The book reviews are a highlight.
I created my own box by taking images in aviation in the middle of nowhere, because I'm one of few people on the planet that will ever go there. As a result these images have been published in different places. However other images of mine in the realms of street, architecture, and sports that I think are much better don't get a second look. Although Leica did ask to use a couple images, that checked a major box off.
To me, street photography refers more to the observational and improvizational approach to capturing moments than the literal location of a street. It’s more reactive than strictly “creative” in the way portrait or landscape might be.
Asked about Streel, Joel Meyerowitz said it was about the Public. Which seems right to me, so your beach shots are ok, and as he shot many on 5th Avenue which isn't a street LOL. I am doing a talk (I am a Photographer, not a Genre) at a local photo club, I have open ended Galleries, Coastal> seascapes, shells, people, boats, fishing nets etc etc. Favourite is Streetish,> the public, expressions, humour, sadness, life, and loads more. Open ended so the gatekeepers can lock themselves in their own little boxes, marked uncreative! It stops them from having to think outside the box.
In my view it’s more sustainable to be obsessed with subject matter and specific narratives - then you can visually communicate that interest using photography and crossing genres to do so. It’s boring and lazy that to some street photography is the most important thing about street photography, similarly those who label everything they do as street photography.
I'm just an enthusiastic amateur, but my instagram has landscape, ICM, still life and street photos. Some are black and white, some colour, and I've been "advised" to pick a genre and choose colour or B&W because it would make my insta page more streamlined. Not sure why it's important to streamline instagram, nobody is knocking down my door to buy my images and I don't even have that many people looking at them 🤣I don't really care what my insta page looks like, I just post the photos that I like, regardless of how it might look. I think I am like Sarah, I get bored very quickly (but street has really hooked me). Great video.
I like to say documentary photography. I just document the world around me. Street, landscape, holidays, family etc. Some people say that to be a documentary photographer you have to be in a war zone. I like to think of it as you're just documenting your environment with a camera.
As a photographer i try not to put myself in any boxes, But the one thing i struggle with is photographing in colour, So much of my work is in monochrome, to me they just don`t sit well together, i will shoot colour but it just stays in a folder on the computer,
Sometimes you have to just try stuff and it works or it doesn’t. Sometimes, the fact you’ve tried something different is enough to make you think differently when going back to what you normally shoot.
I don't see the harm in calling someone who specialises in street photography a street photographer. Having said that, if someone doesn't feel comfortable being labelled, then I wouldn't label them (Sir Don McCullin is a case in point, seeing as he dislikes being called a war photographer). Personally, I would be delighted to be so well recognised in one particular genre that I become known for it.
I have no audience so I’m not afraid to lose them if I were to step out of my genre and the whole idea of categorizing photography genres doesn’t bother me. I do documentary photography and I don’t feel the need to break out of that too often because it’s pretty all encompassing but I live in the desert and believe it or not I love shooting desertscapes while traveling from Las Vegas, where I live, to California, or just while in the city. I almost exclusively shoot my family rn since my kids are so little and I’m so needed at home, but my heart is still really always with Documentary Photography. And I approach my family photography like a documentarian.. I’ve told you before, though, that I really dislike street photography.. I dislike all the massive hype that it feels like surrounds it.. I don’t think it’s that important or interesting often, although I know there are exceptions, and I just don’t get it! There’s no story, it’s just a scene. So what! But I know that you and this video (which is proof) that you’re not impressed by my disdain of the genre and so it doesn’t move you. Anyways.. hehe those are some of my thoughts.
@@WalkLikeAlice Absolutely... Your's and Sarah's videos hearken back to the golden age of photojournalism and documentary photography for me. IMO, we need a true renaissance in photojournalism & documentary photography. It's become nothing more than a bunch of photographers screaming "Look at me", especially on Social Media. Maybe I'm an ol dawg, but I remember when we didn't have instant gratification in our craft. It forced us to work at being better in our craft constantly. Thank you for your youtube channel.
Just the other day I took a photo of a cardboard box and shared it with the caption “This is a box. Thank you for not putting me in one.” I see boxes as control mechanisms and creative restrictions.
Ridiculous to claim that photos of people on a beach isn't street photography. 'Street' for me is simply a term that encompasses the idea of spontaneous shooting, whilst wandering randomly in any public space, with or without the presence of people. Although, for some, no people would perhaps be considered 'architectural'!
Talking from a non professional. I remember years ago having a small following for my 'aesthetic' street stuff i.e. the usual stuff that was popular at the time, people walking through shadows etc. and I remember one particular shot I took and thinking 'wow im really bored of this' however the pull between what I want and what I was expected to do was huge. I remember speaking to a few friends and they said it was what I was known for and to move away would be negative more than positive with my 'presence' however I decided I didnt want to be a particular type of photographer with an expectation I just wanted to capture what I love and enjoy. So I did it, and yes engagement dropped, followers left, likes plummeted but what increased was my personal enjoyment and satisfaction. I now have a smaller 'audience' but a strong core who support me and love me for whatever I do and ultimately again I am happier for it. Moving away from a 'box' is daunting but if it works for your own happiness I would strongly encourage it as I think your best work comes when you are enjoying the process and capturing whatever it is that interests you at that time. There is no need to be rigid.
Well said. I always think that if one audience leaves you, another will find you.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences with us. I always learn something new with the videos you two publish.
Thank you for watching 🙏
I find painting-especially Picasso, Kandinsky and Dali-helps me stay outside of the box and keeps me creative ❤
What an absolutely fascinating and insightful chat.
In recent years I have gravitated almost exclusively to what we all perceive as street, yet my website still has many of my old portrait, landscapes and live music stuff, as well as my street work.
For a long while I have been contemplating removing all of the non street stuff, however each time I remind myself of how proud I am of the work, and how important it is to be versatile and attempt to avoid frustration by boxing myself in.
Thank you for providing this clarity.
Thanks for watching. We’ve all been through what you are experiencing.
Another wonderful video on a strong topic... I recently fell into this "trap" called myseld a street photographer when o was doing street... But then i found myself documenting event around me, be that local traditions, just life as it is... I got so hung up on what i think onshould be doing I lost my way.
Now I say I document the beauty in the mundane - that can be street, landscapes, seascapes, a missing wetsuit boot on the wall - you get the ideal - since doing this my enjoyed and photography as impeoved ten fold.
That's great to hear!!
I'm in a box-it's called photography. Since 2009, I started out with landscape, then found candid or street, then portraiture, then architectural, then still life and now I consider myself just a simple photographer who shoots what I like. Recently came back to film (from the 60's) for a diversion, but the chemical smells have slowed me down. If I like what I'm doing that is what's important.
I've been photographing weddings professionally since 2012, but because photography is such a personal endeavor of mine, I mix with capturing life moments on the streets. I now have my dedicated UA-cam channel on street photography because it's the genre that brings me the most joy. Though I appreciate the chaos that naturally unfolds during a wedding, I much more enjoy the serendipity that the street has to offer. I've also been collecting photobooks for the past 15 years and that also helps to widen the spectrum of what's possible and interesting with a camera.
This video is like a breath of fresh air. I agree that we spend an inordinate amount of time defining, classifying, or categorizing our photography. Some of the best advice I've heard, aside from yours, was in a comment on UA-cam: shoot what you like and call it what you like. It's liberating not having to worry about into which pigeon hole one's photographs will fit.
Thank you. Glad you liked it
Whenever I'm asked, or when I write a mini bio about myself, I always say, "I fancy myself a Street/Documentary photographer, but let's be honest, I simply just take photos of whatever, whoever, and wherever I find interesting enough to photograph."
I agree with what you're saying. I used to be a part of several street photography groups on Facebook. I eventually left most of them, but I noticed something, every group I was a part of had a different definition of street photography.
After awhile I decided I could care less what others think my photography genre is.
I just love taking photos. 😊
And the love of taking photographs is ultimately what it’s all about.
What is street photography is an extremely personal definition, ask 10 people and you'll get 10 different answers. Which is kinda fun, seeing how each person interprets and shows the different kinds of street on their work.
Thank you for another excellent video Jeff. I have enjoyed making photographs as an amateur for about 50 years now but pretty much stuck to one or two genres for a large part of that time. My bookshelf however would suggest otherwise as I take inspiration from many other genres and these days enjoy street, urban architecture, concert, documentary, landscapes and travel etc. Photography is my passion whatever the box it is labelled as and rather than being a Jack of all trades (genres), I like to consider myself to be more of a magpie taking a bit of everything I like and throwing it into the mix when I make a photo. Thanks for another great book review too, following you might get expensive if the start of this year is anything to go by! 😂😂😂
Haha. You will thank me later when the books go up in value 😉
@@WalkLikeAliceI’m counting on it (excuse the pun 😂)
Thanks for the recommendation on Klein's book.
🙏
I take all kinds of photos and find inspiration from many sources. I've occasionally felt I should try and focus on one genre but the reality is my photography doesn't matter to anyone but me so I pursue whatever is of interest. I do love the book recommendations and am currently engrossed in the Moriyama series so thanks for that! I did order the William Klein book and I really need to slow down on the book buying as it's only January!
Haha. I’ve got another coming this Sunday!!
Interesting video Jeff , and a great topic too. Over the years I’ve been in lots of different boxes photography wise , mainly because I like a new challenge as i can get stuck in a rut easily. I’ve done Macro, nature, birds / wildlife , landscape all to a decent standard ( subjective 😊) then 8 years ago I came across Alan Schaller and Mark Fearnley and I decided I wanted to try my hand at that kind of street photography, I also really enjoy asking strangers for portraits, I love the engagement of meeting strangers , I’m 70 now and I still go to London and other cities as often as possible, I also go into my local city of Worcester more often as I find it more challenging, thanks for a good subject this month.
Thanks for watching 🙏
Well said Jeff - I like the term increasing your visual vocabulary….I’ve never been comfortable with labels or genres but you’re spot of about camera manufacturers and the tech giants putting us in boxes. I’ve found of late my first love of landscape/outdoor photography has improved by spending the last few year doing street/candid and portrait photography - interesting to apply different techniques and approaches across “boxes”. Thanks for the great video!
Thank you 🙏
Thanks for this...I needed someone to say these things. Appreciate the book reviews too
🙏
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this, very interesting. I'm also a big fan of William Klein since the 1970s. Funny thing, I followed you back in the day when you were a Canon ambassador but until today I never made the connection😀I'm sure you have mentioned that before on the channel but I have missed it.
I don’t talk about it much. My last couple of years with Canon weren’t the best for me mentally and were tainted by the idiocracy in charge of the program. I’d rather move on. But I thought it was relevant here. Which was ok.
I think you summed it up well with the algorithmic purpose behind these labels, and you’re right that photography is photography. Meyerowitz is a prime example of someone for whom his street work is only part of the amazing overall picture of the man’s study of life. Enjoying your videos.
Thanks Neale. I’m not up on JM but wasn’t his first book on large format images of Cape Cod?
@@WalkLikeAlice I'll admit I had to look that first book up, but yes, you're completely right.
This is why I ended up leaving camera clubs. I’m not a professional so I take photos of things that interest me in the street whether that is people, architecture, beach scenes etc. I hated the fact I was constantly being maligned regarding my photos because they did not fit the related genre in their view.
Camera clubs can be some of the worst places to spend your time as a photographer. One or two are very good, we have one on this part of the coast which is exceptional, but that’s quite rare. In my experience.
Interesting topic, I would class myself as an amateur street photographer, but have an interest in other genres too like’ landscape, portrait and architecture. Street photography is one of those buckets to help people find my work, rather than just describing myself as an amateur photographer. The comment you had on the beach shots not being street photography does make me smile, as it shows that to some, street photography is literally just that 😅
Yes, it’s all about matching audiences with your work. Unfortunately, some do take it all a little more seriously than they should!!
Omg what comment I enjoy photography full stop!
Really enjoying videos 😊
Thank you 🙏
We are photographers, period. He is exactly right on his view, don’t pigeon hole yourself.
I've always found it hard to put myself into a box. ALL the advice I've had from other more successful photographers/creatives is to get a genre, style, niche etc... so I can sell and be sold. So my voice comes through stronger. It's been really hard to get from 'jobbing' photographer shooting different things for survival money, to being known (locally) for what I do, and a higher income. Hard to be brave and show/shoot exactly how I want to, and believe I'll still get work. It's an ongoing process for me.
If you define success by the amount of money a photographer earns, ie the commercial side of photography, then yes you will always end up in a box because you have to deliver what you have advertised. Been there. Done that. But, if you want to grow as a photographer, putting yourself in a box is the wrong thing to do IMHO. That's why there are lots of photographers who are very good at weddings, but who struggle to take a decent image outside of a wedding day.
@@WalkLikeAlice I think success for me is having enough for your needs, and then always growing as a photographer. I was a musician before, and it's the same thought really. BUT, it's getting harder to survive as a commercial photographer, so I suppose that's why I feel pulled that way... even though it feels un-natural.
Thanks for the video Jeff!
Thank you Jeff. I did see somewhere on UA-cam street photography described as urban photography, don't know if that gives the box wiggle room?
I don’t know. Isn’t it just another box someone wants to put themselves in?
@@WalkLikeAlice Yes, you're right.
I wholeheartedly agree. Recently I was asked by a pro photographer what genre I was into and I felt somewhat uncomfortable just saying 'street.' Although it is my main focus, in terms of niche, I wouldn't call myself a purely street photographer. My artistic flair and sensibilities take me outside of many people's idea of what that is. I also see so many people online, criticising others for not sticking to the boundaries of what they define as street photography. It just strikes me as limiting and restrictive on some very beautiful and artistic talent.
Who defines boundaries in art? Untalented people justifying their own self importance?
@WalkLikeAlice I think there is a generous helping of that. However I think it also speaks to the wider issues. How people are taught to limit themselves and comply with accepted norms. Some of course are only too happy to limit themselves, as this requires of them, much lower standards and when it becomes widely acceptable, stifles those who wish to explore and expand.
Great video and topic. After 50 years of photography I can’t think of anything more boring than being restricted to one genre. The book reviews are a highlight.
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it all.
Well said!
Cheers Andrew 🙏
I created my own box by taking images in aviation in the middle of nowhere, because I'm one of few people on the planet that will ever go there. As a result these images have been published in different places. However other images of mine in the realms of street, architecture, and sports that I think are much better don't get a second look. Although Leica did ask to use a couple images, that checked a major box off.
I hope you invoiced them for those images.
To me, street photography refers more to the observational and improvizational approach to capturing moments than the literal location of a street.
It’s more reactive than strictly “creative” in the way portrait or landscape might be.
Asked about Streel, Joel Meyerowitz said it was about the Public. Which seems right to me, so your beach shots are ok, and as he shot many on 5th Avenue which isn't a street LOL. I am doing a talk (I am a Photographer, not a Genre) at a local photo club, I have open ended Galleries, Coastal> seascapes, shells, people, boats, fishing nets etc etc. Favourite is Streetish,> the public, expressions, humour, sadness, life, and loads more. Open ended so the gatekeepers can lock themselves in their own little boxes, marked uncreative! It stops them from having to think outside the box.
lol. Marked uncreative. I’m pinching that one, Iain 😂
@@WalkLikeAlice Go for it, have a good week.
In my view it’s more sustainable to be obsessed with subject matter and specific narratives - then you can visually communicate that interest using photography and crossing genres to do so. It’s boring and lazy that to some street photography is the most important thing about street photography, similarly those who label everything they do as street photography.
I'm just an enthusiastic amateur, but my instagram has landscape, ICM, still life and street photos. Some are black and white, some colour, and I've been "advised" to pick a genre and choose colour or B&W because it would make my insta page more streamlined. Not sure why it's important to streamline instagram, nobody is knocking down my door to buy my images and I don't even have that many people looking at them 🤣I don't really care what my insta page looks like, I just post the photos that I like, regardless of how it might look. I think I am like Sarah, I get bored very quickly (but street has really hooked me). Great video.
Thank you. Don’t be swayed by Instagram. Remember that most people are viewing your work on a small screen while sitting on the toilet!!
@@WalkLikeAlice 🤣🤣🤣
I like to say documentary photography. I just document the world around me. Street, landscape, holidays, family etc. Some people say that to be a documentary photographer you have to be in a war zone. I like to think of it as you're just documenting your environment with a camera.
All of the combat photographers I know call themselves “photojournalists”. 🤷♂️
lefty's love boxes
I’m considered a lefty and I hate boxes 😉
As a photographer i try not to put myself in any boxes, But the one thing i struggle with is photographing in colour, So much of my work is in monochrome, to me they just don`t sit well together, i will shoot colour but it just stays in a folder on the computer,
Sometimes you have to just try stuff and it works or it doesn’t. Sometimes, the fact you’ve tried something different is enough to make you think differently when going back to what you normally shoot.
I don't see the harm in calling someone who specialises in street photography a street photographer. Having said that, if someone doesn't feel comfortable being labelled, then I wouldn't label them (Sir Don McCullin is a case in point, seeing as he dislikes being called a war photographer). Personally, I would be delighted to be so well recognised in one particular genre that I become known for it.
I have no audience so I’m not afraid to lose them if I were to step out of my genre and the whole idea of categorizing photography genres doesn’t bother me. I do documentary photography and I don’t feel the need to break out of that too often because it’s pretty all encompassing but I live in the desert and believe it or not I love shooting desertscapes while traveling from Las Vegas, where I live, to California, or just while in the city. I almost exclusively shoot my family rn since my kids are so little and I’m so needed at home, but my heart is still really always with Documentary Photography. And I approach my family photography like a documentarian.. I’ve told you before, though, that I really dislike street photography.. I dislike all the massive hype that it feels like surrounds it.. I don’t think it’s that important or interesting often, although I know there are exceptions, and I just don’t get it! There’s no story, it’s just a scene. So what! But I know that you and this video (which is proof) that you’re not impressed by my disdain of the genre and so it doesn’t move you. Anyways.. hehe those are some of my thoughts.
You are correct. I’m not 😂
🤣🤣🤣
Arm chair critics typically lack any real talent and instead deride anyone with actual craft skill due to their lack thereof...
That’s life in the 21st Century. It transcends all art forms, politics, sport. Maybe I should open this up for discussion in a future video?
@@WalkLikeAlice Absolutely... Your's and Sarah's videos hearken back to the golden age of photojournalism and documentary photography for me. IMO, we need a true renaissance in photojournalism & documentary photography. It's become nothing more than a bunch of photographers screaming "Look at me", especially on Social Media. Maybe I'm an ol dawg, but I remember when we didn't have instant gratification in our craft. It forced us to work at being better in our craft constantly. Thank you for your youtube channel.
Just the other day I took a photo of a cardboard box and shared it with the caption “This is a box. Thank you for not putting me in one.”
I see boxes as control mechanisms and creative restrictions.
Haha. Brilliant.
Common sense. I find it hard to think of genres of photography I’m not interested in.
You’d be surprised how insular some photographers are!!
Oh I’ve met them. Add in gear and it can become a nightmare.
Ridiculous to claim that photos of people on a beach isn't street photography. 'Street' for me is simply a term that encompasses the idea of spontaneous shooting, whilst wandering randomly in any public space, with or without the presence of people. Although, for some, no people would perhaps be considered 'architectural'!
Correct. I agree.