What is street photography? What is the meaning with it? Why do we/I shoot the images we/I do?

When I walk around with the camera, I try searching for something that doesn’t fit in, for colour palettes, or sceneries that puzzles me. It isn’t planned. It just happens as I walk and observe.

Every time you take a photo, you document something, even if it’s not the main purpose of it. Maybe the main purpose is simply to show interesting people and surroundings and find the art within photography.

No matter how you do what you do, it will document something and in time, within the years, it will be worth looking at from another perspective by other people when time has passed.

Street photography can be anything from people walking the streets with special clothes, with a special approach or larger sceneries painted with light and shadow. 

Inspiration from Photographers

Do you know the Morten Albek Instagram account? Be sure to follow me there for more inspiration: https://www.instagram.com/mortenalbekphotography/

Photo: Morten Albek, Fasanenstrasse, Berlin.
Leica M9, Summilux 50mm f1.4 ASPH

Another photo genre to get inspiration from is documentary. It leans towards the Street Photo tradition but have a slightly different focus, but often overlapping and difficult to separate.

Documentary photography is a powerful medium that captures the essence of real-life events, people, and places. It aims to tell stories through candid and unposed images, often highlighting social issues and everyday life.

Renowned photographer Martin Parr is a master of this genre, known for his vivid and often humorous portrayal of modern society. His work provides a unique perspective on the ordinary, making the mundane extraordinary. You find Martin Parr at Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martinparrstudio/

Street photography is like one frame from a movie holding that scene, and turning it into its own story.

There are some valuable street photographers, amateurs and pros (and I say amateurs deliberately) because it is not all an assignment they went out for. Like Vivian Meyer, who worked in a private house as a nanny and doing housekeeping. She went out to the street with a camera, used the money on film, and captured the essence of life in the city where she lived.

Vivian Meyer was an expert in finding these sceneries, not going just in intimately, but showing more to the context. So she brought in the people in an environment that expresses something. It can be a question, it can be an answer and can just be an observation. Her photographs often highlight the beauty and complexity of different cultures and communities. You find more about Vivian Meyer’s work here: https://www.instagram.com/vivianmaierarchive/ 

The American photographer Mary Ellen Mark used a kind of mixture of street photography and documentary photography to change the view on things. Mark’s street photography and documentary work often highlight social issues and the lives of people on the fringes of society. Her compassionate approach to her subjects promotes acceptance and awareness. Find her work here: https://www.instagram.com/maryellenmarkfoundation/

The Danish photographer, Jacob Holdt, is most famous for his photo essays from across America. He took a lot of pictures of the poor people In America in the 1970´es. A strong photographer you find here: https://www.instagram.com/jacobholdtofficial/ 

Garry Winogrand‘s street photography is renowned for its ability to capture the spontaneity and vibrancy of urban life. His work often challenges stereotypes and encourages viewers to see the world from different perspectives. https://www.instagram.com/winograndfilm/

These photographers have used their art to shine a light on the richness of human experiences and to challenge viewers to see the world with more empathy and understanding. Their work continues to inspire and promote acceptance across different cultures and communities. Do you have a favorite street photographer or a particular style of street photography that you enjoy? Black-and-white or colour (or both). You are welcome to comment below the post. Thanks for reading.

Photo: Morten Albek, Berlin.
Leica M9, Summilux 50mm f1.4 ASPH