Mad men. NYC, 2017. Pentax 645Z

The Street Photography Manifesto

Mad men. NYC, 2017. Pentax 645Z
Mad men. NYC, 2017

What is street photography, why is street photography important, who gets to “define” street photography— and what makes a great street photograph?

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You make your own rules in street photography

Kyoto, 2017
Kyoto, 2017

To start, you must define “street photography” for yourself.

For myself, I define street photography as documenting humanity in public spaces.

Street photograph of woman walking in Kyoto, 2017
Kyoto, 2017

To me, I am a street sociologist, or perhaps a street philosopher. I’m not really interested in pictures; I’m more interested in people.

Why I shoot street photography

Kyoto, 2017
Kyoto, 2017

Shooting street photography is a way for me to better understand people, society, and humanity. The purpose of street photography isn’t to make good pictures— it is to have a deeper appreciation, understanding, and love for humanity.

Therefore to start off, the good street photographer is the one that loves humanity.

A good street photographer is DYNAMIC

Flash umbrella street photograph with red and blue. Kyoto, 2017
Flash umbrella street photograph with red and blue. Kyoto, 2017

A good street photographer is also brave, confident, and fearless.

A good street photographer knows when to be aggressive to get the shot, but also knows when to stop, slow down, and actually talk and interact with people.

Silhouette. Kyoto, 2017
Silhouette. Kyoto, 2017

A good street photographer has a strong understanding of visual art and aesthetics. A good street photographer knows how to position themselves, where to stand, when to take a picture, and from which perspective — to make dynamically compelling compositions.

A good street photographer also seeks to make street photos with dynamic emotions. A good street photographer seeks to make pictures which AFFECT the viewer — which makes the viewer change how they see or perceive the world. A good street photographer INFLUENCES the heart and mind of the viewer and encourages the viewer to see the world more keenly, more observantly, and with more appreciation.

Be proud of yourself as a street photographer

Dots. Abstract street photograph. Kyoto, 2017
Dots. Abstract street photograph. Kyoto, 2017

As a street photographer, we need to create our own table of values for ourselves. We need to figure out how we, as individuals, like to shoot street pictures. We cannot look at others to just copy their style — we need to learn how to define our own style in street photography, our own approach, and to not be ashamed of ourselves.

Make your own rules in street photography for yourself

Woman with vent on head. Kyoto, 2017
Woman with vent on head. Kyoto, 2017

A street photographer should come up with their own code of ethics— only for themselves, and not to superimpose their ethics and philosophy onto others. Of course, a street photographer will always be opinionated, and think their method is the best— but ONLY FOR THEM, NOT FOR OTHER STREET PHOTOGRAPHERS.

Therefore a good street photographer is NOT DOGMATIC. A good street photographer acknowledges and realizes that everyone can and should shoot street photography for themselves, in their own style and working method.

A street photographer is harsh towards themselves, but open, and tolerant of other street photographers.

Child’s mind in street photography

Boy with pink soccer ball. Uji, Kyoto 2017
Boy with pink soccer ball. Uji, Kyoto 2017

A good street photographer is curious. A good street photographer is like a child, roaming the streets with an innocent and pure eye — like seeing the streets for the first time.

A good street photographer follows their own intuition — follows their sense of smell, and goes to new streets, paths, and alleyways which interest them.

A good street photographer wants to impress themself

Man with red hat. Tokyo, 2017
Man with red hat. Tokyo, 2017

A good street photographer only photographs what interests him or herself. A good street photographer is the ultimate judge whether a picture is “good” or not— by looking at their own street photograph and asking themselves,

“Do I like my own pictures?”

The street photographer seeks like-minded peers

New Orleans, 2015
New Orleans, 2015

A good street photographer doesn’t really care whether he or she “pleases” their audience or followers— they first care to please themselves.

They don’t seek to make generic street photographs that will gain a huge following. Rather, they seek to find other like-minded street photographers, and to create their own inner-circle or community.

A good street photographer doesn’t complain

Woman with thick glasses and green hat. BART, 2015
Woman with thick glasses and green hat. BART, 2015

A good street photographer knows that he or she has unlimited possibilities. That they don’t need to live in a super exotic or “interesting” city like Tokyo, London, or New York City.

A good street photographer knows that they don’t neeed to photograph only people. That they should photograph buildings, objects, and things they see in their everyday life. That their job is to document, analyze, and record human history – through urban landscapes, architecture, human-made inorganic objects, and traces of humanity.

The good street photographer loves life

Laughing lady. NYC, 2015
Laughing lady. NYC, 2015

Above all, the street photographer is a lover and an affirmer of life. The street photographer has an incredible and superfluous, and overwhelming sense of JOY, EXCITEMENT, and OPTIMISM for life.

The great street photographer is the “yes sayer” to life— and everything that promotes growth, progress, and evolution in humanity, or the human spirit.

The great street photographer is you.

BE STRONG,
ERIC

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STREET PHOTOGRAPHY 101

Tokyo, 2012

If you’re new to street photography, start here:

New Street Photography Articles

Mad men. NYC, 2017. Pentax 645Z


STREET NOTES MOBILE EDITION

Hot off the digital press, we have now made our popular STREET NOTES available for your Amazon Kindle.


FUNDAMENTALS OF STREET PHOTOGRAPHY

elegance, seoul, 2009 Eric Kim street photography

Street Photography Inspiration

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Beginner Street Photography Articles

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Get started in street photography:

Definitions in Street Photography

How to Shoot Street Photography

Street Photography Equipment

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How to Conquer Your Fears in Street Photography

See all articles to conquer your fears >


Intermediate Street Photography Articles

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Take your street photography to the next level:


Advanced Street Photography Articles

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Find deeper meaning in your street photography:


Street Photography Tips & Technique

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Learn how to shoot on the streets:

See all street photography tips and techniques >

Street Photography Guides

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In-depth guides on street photography:

Street Photography Equipment

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The best equipment for street photography:

See all equipment articles >

Street Photography Editing and Workflow

How to Start a Street Photography Project


Learn From the Masters of Street Photography

MASTERS PROTOTYPE by HAPTIC

“He without a past has no future.”

Start here:

  1. Why Study the Masters of Photography?
  2. Great Female Master Photographers
  3. Cheat Sheet of the Masters of Photography
  4. 100 Lessons From the Masters of Street Photography
  5. Beginner’s Guide to the Masters of Street Photography
  6. Download All Articles >

The Masters of Photography

Prague, 1968. Josef Koudelka / Magnum Photos
Prague, 1968. Josef Koudelka / Magnum Photos

Classics never die:


Free Downloads

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Free Street Photography Books

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Distilled information on street photography:

For more resources on photography, Start Here >