The Social Street Photographer

downtown la fur portrait couple-selfie-pose-2000x1333

Why are street photographers so anti-social? My thoughts:

We are all slaves to the thinking of Henri Cartier Bresson

  • downtown la fur portrait couple-selfie-pose-2000x1333
  • Pose for the camera! Istanbul couple.
  • eric kim street photography portrait orange blue mission sf

HCB (Henri Cartier Bresson) was insanely anti social. He was a bit of a tyrant:

HCB liked to photograph others without their permission, but he hated it when anyone else photographed *HIM* without permission.

Essentially a dick move. Why is this so problematic?

“I can treat others by doing x, y, z … but you are not allowed to do it to me.”

It is as if you were allowed to cut off everyone else in traffic, but nobody else would be able to cut you off in traffic. Or to be intolerant:

Because I like to eat meat, I will force everyone else (vegans and vegetarians) to eat meat.

Or the flip side:

Because I am vegan, I will force all meat-eaters to also become vegan. And if they refuse to do so, I will attack and destroy them.

Be social!

How to Talk to Strangers

If you like humans, talk to humans! Don’t strive to be this pseudo-artistic street photographer who refuses to talk to his subjects. This is bad.

STREET PHOTOGRAPHY 101

Hearts. Hollywood, 2011 #flash

STREET PHOTOGRAPHY STARTER KIT by ERIC KIM >

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


Street Photographs

ERIC KIM layers hong kong

  1. How to Shoot Street Photography with Dads and Kids
  2. HOW I BECAME SUCH A GREAT STREET PHOTOGRAPHER
  3. Use Quarantine as an Opportunity to Pick up Film Photography
  4. Hong Kong Street Photography by ERIC KIM

Street Photography Philosophy

Street Photography Articles


Street Photography Techniques


JUST SHOOT IT. HENRI NECK STRAP by ERIC KIM

See HENRI NECK STRAP on AMAZON >


Street Photography Ideas


Street Photography Composition Techniques


STREET NOTES.

Push yourself out of your comfort zone with STREET NOTES: Mobile Edition.

STREET NOTES PAPER EDITION ON AMAZON >


LEARN FROM THE MASTERS OF STREET PHOTOGRAPHY

Timeless wisdom from the masters of street photography.

Learn more about MASTERS >

Buy MASTERS on Amazon >


FUNDAMENTALS OF STREET PHOTOGRAPHY

Street Photography Inspiration


Beginner Street Photography Articles

Get started in street photography:

Definitions in Street Photography

How to Shoot Street Photography

Street Photography Equipment

See all equipment articles >

How to Conquer Your Fears in Street Photography

See all articles to conquer your fears >


Intermediate Street Photography Articles

Take your street photography to the next level:


Advanced Street Photography Articles

Find deeper meaning in your street photography:


Street Photography Tips & Technique

Learn how to shoot on the streets:

See all street photography tips and techniques >

Street Photography Guides

In-depth guides on street photography:

Street Photography Equipment

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

“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

Classics never die:


Free Downloads

See all free downloads >

Free Street Photography Books

Distilled information on street photography:

For more resources on photography, Start Here >