Are You A Street Photographer?

Are you a Street Photographer? Defining this particular photography niche is a lot like defining happiness. Everybody has their own definition criteria. Simply defined, it includes photography shot in public places. Some definitions narrow it down to specific settings such as urban settings, rural settings, etc. Some insist that it must include people in the photos. Others define it as shooting reality.

Most photography has “standards” or criteria to define it. Artistic fine art photography, for example, has set criteria. So does portrait photography as well as other niches. The challenge for many photographers, especially the non professional photographers, is determining where their work “fits in” among various photography niches.

Oddly enough, self-declared street photographers don’t “limit” themselves or their work to “pre-subscribed” criteria. Maybe, it’s the “artistic” component of photography that forces photographers to push-the-envelope and challenge the “limits” of set photography niche criteria. The most prolific practitioners of this photography niche pay absolutely no attention to what niche their work “falls” into. They just shoot what they see and like.

Some photographers are simply interested in documenting life as they see it, at times adding their own interpretation to the captured scene. Some take “artistic” photos of street scenes. Some shoot street scenes for the pure joy and pleasure of shooting photography. This is especially the case with those photography enthusiasts that have a passion for photography.

Clearly, this particular photography niche is difficult to define and pigeon-hole. But, of course, this shouldn’t make a difference to knowing photographers. The most successful photographers simple shoot great work. They don’t allow the distractions of criteria or “in-the-box” thinking to hinder them. For many photographers, shooting is a very liberating experience. How their resulting work "fits-in" is almost immaterial.

Years ago, when I first got the photography bug, I just shot pictures. It was only later that I knew enough to know what categories my work fit. I maintained a state of confusion because I didn't know where I "fit" in the wide world of photography. Later, I found that I was placing too much pressure on myself because I didn't know. The truth is: it isn't necessary to know the categories of your work in order to shoot good photography. Unfortunately, I didn't find this out for years. Fortunately, however, once I found out, I wrote a book that contains the information that I wish I knew when I first began my photography experiences. This book has turned out to be a great resource for the budding street photographer or any other photography enthusiasts. I figured that I was not the only photography enthusiast that was confused and intimidated by all of the categories in photography. Grab a copy. It doesn't cost you a dime and it delivers great lessons that you might never learn or that you will be required to pay a lot of money for. It's my pleasure to share my lessons learned with you. Go here to get the book. You will find it very helpful. I promise.

Do you disregard the rules when shooting street photos? Are you a street photographer? Probably! (Of course, the rules you’re disregarding might be difficult to determine.) You really only need a camera, a knowledge of your camera and a space to display your work.

Share your work with the rest of us photography enthusiasts. It doesn't have to be your best work. Of course, all of your work is your best, right?

Got Street Photography?

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