Getting started: Approaching the street
Successful street photographers always do their research before arriving on location
These two pages provide a short introduction to a variety of practical aspects and issues that surround street photography. From understanding local laws on photography to more complex issues of photographic representation, these should be worthy considerations when approaching or actively working within the public realm. What follows is designed to act as prompts for your own research, rather than being a comprehensive guide. Plus, we consider the mindset required to be successful as a street photographer.
Representation of people and places Photography brings with it significant questions surrounding representation. It is important to understand the role of the photograph and your role as the photographer; this is especially true when your primary subject is people.
It is worthwhile asking yourself: how am I representing this place or person? How have they, or this place, been represented in the past, and is that mode of representation problematic? How is this person’s experience different from mine?
It is important to recognise your own experience and be conscious of your position, particularly if it is a privileged one, when photographing the lives of others.
Ultimately, every photographer must develop their own sensibilities and principles to abide by, but drawing from the history of photography and the writings that explore these issues is always recommended. Start with some of these books: OnPhotography by Susan Sontag; Photography:A CriticalIntroduction, edited by Liz Wells; TheBurdenofRepresentation by John Tang; and Photography:The
KeyConcepts by David Bate.
Starting points for research
The history of photography is a great source of inspiration and learning. Knowing what has come before and what is being produced today can help inform your own work. As course tutor Bruce Gilden says, you should want to add to what has been done before and make it yours.
Henri Cartier-Bresson drew inspiration from many other art forms, namely painting and literature, and would spend hours in the Louvre Museum in Paris studying the work of great painters.
Looking beyond photography can be equally inspiring and refreshing, and open you up to new approaches and new ideas.
What mindset do you need to succeed? Photographers need sharp senses, innate curiosity and an openness to the world when working in the street. Street photography is about acting on impulse, listening to your intuition and being spontaneous. You have to expect the unexpected. And above all else, you will need drive, dedication, patience, and perseverance; to put in the hours of hard work, to put the failures behind you and to keep pushing forward.