What is Street Photography?
An Introduction to Street Photography with Eric Kim from Cindy Nguyen on Vimeo.
There is not one definition which defines street photography. Depending on who you ask or where you find your information, you will come upon conflicting responses. Some street photographers will say that it is about capturing the emotion and expressions of people, while others may put a higher emphasis on the urban environment. However I believe that the most effective street photographs are the ones that synthesize both the human element as well as the urban environment. To capture a moment in which a person is interacting with the environment or in which the environment is interacting with the person is a true mark of a skilled street photographer.
But when it comes down to it, it is basically taking photos on the streets. So instead of chasing sunsets and exotic creatures, you look for ordinary places and ordinary people and creatively compose them in a clever way. Anybody can take a good picture of a sunset. Although there are many technical details which go into capturing a perfect sunset, anybody can simply point their camera and capture a sunset which is inspiring. But when it comes to street photography, you must constantly be looking for either contrasting elements in an environment which make a photograph interesting.
Simply put, the main focus of street photography is taking the everyday and the mundane and making it into something unique and beautiful.
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Update: Check out my new mini-documentary video on street photography below!
Street Photography from Daniel Seo on Vimeo.
{ 27 comments… read them below or add one }
Just read your 10 tips for street photography on the Digital Photography School website. Your images are great and your tips are perfect. I anxiously await the rest of your book/pdf. Good luck with finishing it!
Thank you for your comment Lisa! I will hopefully get it written up soon and out there! I’ll keep in touch
I have just started my photography journey. I loved your advice it was short, to the point and very easy to understand and relate too. look forward to the book. Bless you
I hope to help you along the way in your photographic journey. If you have any q’s, feel free to ask!
I’ll also keep you posted on the book
Your work totally has given a different perspective towards street photography. Awaiting for your book. Good luck and keep me posted as well =)
Cheers!~
I agree with Lisa. The article was great and I really liked your images. Really looking forward to reading “Street Photography 101″. Not sure about trying the “laying down in the street” tip though
Haha those tips aren’t for everyone
But thanks for stopping by…subscribe and you should know when it is out! 
Eric, your article 10 tips for street photography on the Digital Photography School website is the most interesting, encouraging and inspiring article I have read on this subject. Please let me know when you publish your book “Street Photography 101”.
Many thanks for sharing your knowledge.
Stay well.
Hi Kris,
Glad to hear that you enjoyed the article! I will keep you posted
Hey Eric,
Recently I’ve become bored with landscape photography and after reading your article on dPs I was inspired to get out there and try street for myself. I’m making strides to step out of my comfort zone and develop skills in a very exiting area of my hobby. I’m always looking to improve my work and find new ways to scare myself to acheive something special. One problem I’m having is viewer feedback! I’ve noticed that on flickr you receive a lot of feedback in the form of honest-to-god criticism, and I gotta say it makes me jealous! Do you have any advice that would help me attract that kind of viewer?
Thanks!
Hey Evan,
You have to check out this street photography pool, called Grit and Grain. You must vote on other people’s images, but you get a ton of awesome crit. Check it out here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/gritandgrain/
Also read your article “10 tips for street photography” on the Digital Photography School website. First time I’ve visited your site. Very interesting observations and very relevant. Living in a small town in the South though it is hard to get folks to pose for any kind of shots without lots of questions. I am getting better at answering those questions and calming their fears that I’m some kind of terrorist doing photo recon.
I’ll have to try the gaffer tape over the logo’s trick. Now I just need to find a nice busy sidewalk to lay down on and see what happens.
Hey DH,
I haven’t taken any street photos in the South, but I am sure it is indeed a different experience.
Keep me updated with your progress–I am curious to hear!
Hi Eric,
It’s being a pleasure to read your tips. I’m from Brazil and a street photographer too (not good as you are).
I’m planning to write something in portuguese, because it’s realy hard to find a book about street photography here. Reading some parts that you have posted here, I think you could publish it in different languages.
If you come to Brazil, don’t forget to let me know.
Vinicius.
Hi Vinicius,
Glad to hear love from Brazil! I would actually really love to visit there someday. If you wish, you can translate any of my articles into Portuguese. I would love to spread the knowledge
Best,
Eric
hi Eric. I’m knew taking pictures but i’m reading a lot and i found about your work at the Web. I admire your work and i’ll be looking forward about your 101 book. Greeting’s from Chile.
Eric,
What can you do with the photos? Do you print for exhibition? Do you use model releases?
In your new video you are moving right along. It is cool but I don’t know how the photos can be used.
Terry
Hi Eric – Very inspiring website here and I’ve enjoyed watching your videos from the last few weeks. I’m becoming more interested in shooting that which surrounds me and requires thoughtful creativity to put the “mundane” as you pointed out, into something uniquely capable of making the viewer stop and take a 2nd look or being able to stir-up emotions within which are more than just surfacy stuff. So anyway I’ll continue to read your blog, view your videos and struggle with my photography. Can you send me more info about your upcoming workshop in August ? http://www.flickr.com/photos/bryan_socal/
Welcome Bryan!
Nice vid Eric. Good job.
Thank you very much … inspired.
really inspiring …..thanks for sharing eric…..
I got here through a link to your “how to deal with haters” -post and as a person who’s been photographed several times without permission, without thanks or without even a single smile I really can’t help becoming one of them. Have you ever thought how violating your art might feel when you invade someone’s private space and reduce a person to nothing but a pretty image? It leaves a feeling like if you were robbed or mugged, even though you don’t actually lose anything physical. I gladly let people take pictures of me on the spot if they kindly ask for it and give a valid reason (“just for fun” isn’t one), but if you can’t tell if the person an actual artist or just an ignorant tourist seeing you only as another exotic landmark it’s really annoying. I know the moment is lost if you notify the photo’s subject beforehand, but the least you could do would be exchanging a few words and explaining what you’re doing after you’ve got your shot. Running away doesn’t mean that you’ve got an approval from the subject, and thinking you don’t need one just makes you a prick. I’m all up for any kind of art and really like your work, but being polite wouldn’t harm anyone.
I’m at a loss to see how ones “Private Space” can be “invaded” when the photographer is some distance away, and in a Public Space! But then, that’s me I guess. Besides, I regularly go out in the streets and no-one’s complained yet.
I really can’t understand the concept of, “my space is being violated because someone is taking a picture of me on the street”. What does it matter? You’re in a public place, just keep on doing what you’re doing. Different situation if someone hinders your movements in the pursuit of a photo or worse, comes onto your private property and takes photos without permission. While I can understand the rich and famous being annoyed by the paparazzi continually hounding them – a price they have to pay for their fame. The average person is hardly in that situation.
it’s same reason as some people request google to remove their properties from street view. Some people don’t like it.