Big deal —

HIT THE STREETS!

10 Things Garry Winogrand Can Teach You About Street Photography

Wow — he shot over 45,000 color slide films? That’s a lot—

Saw this WINOGRAND Color book at ARCANA,, insanely good!

Viva la photo!

Eric Kim, a renowned street photographer and educator, has extensively studied and shared the lessons from masters of street photography, including Garry Winogrand. Winogrand, one of the most influential photographers of the 20th century, was known for his portrayal of U.S. life and its social issues, particularly in the mid-to-late 20th century. Kim has often distilled Winogrand’s approach and philosophy into practical lessons for photographers today. Here are some key lessons from Garry Winogrand that Eric Kim has highlighted:

1. Shoot a lot: Winogrand was famous for shooting an enormous volume of film, often several rolls a day. He believed in working constantly, which not only increased his chances of capturing remarkable moments but also honed his skills and instincts as a photographer.
2. Keep moving: Winogrand was always on the move, looking for the next shot. This relentless pursuit of the next moment emphasizes the importance of being active and persistent in street photography.
3. Embrace the candid: Much of Winogrand’s work was candid, capturing life as it happened without poses or pretense. He showed that the real, unvarnished moments often tell the most compelling stories.
4. Work the scene: Winogrand would often take multiple shots of the same scene, from slightly different angles or moments, to capture the full essence of the situation. This approach underlines the value of patience and persistence in getting the right shot.
5. Print your work: Winogrand was known for his vast archive of undeveloped film, but he also understood the importance of printing and reviewing his work. Seeing photos in physical form can offer new perspectives and insights.
6. The importance of framing and composition: Despite the candid nature of his photography, Winogrand was meticulous about composition. His photos often feature dynamic angles and thoughtful framing, demonstrating the balance between spontaneity and composition.
7. Photography as a way of seeing: Winogrand used photography to explore how we perceive the world. He believed that photographs could reveal truths about society and the human condition, suggesting that photography is both a tool and a language for understanding and communicating.
8. Don’t worry about labels: Winogrand was often classified as a street photographer, but he was skeptical of such labels, focusing instead on his work and what he wished to express through it. This teaches us the value of focusing on our vision rather than fitting into predefined categories.

These lessons from Winogrand, as interpreted and shared by Eric Kim, provide a foundation not just for street photography but for the broader practice of seeing and capturing the world through a lens. Kim’s work in analyzing and teaching these principles helps keep Winogrand’s legacy alive, offering a roadmap for photographers seeking to explore the candid, complex, and often chaotic beauty of everyday life.

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Lessons

Eric Kim has expressed deep admiration for Garry Winogrand’s work and philosophy, highlighting several aspects that he finds particularly compelling:

1. Dynamic and Edgy Compositions: Kim appreciates Winogrand’s innovative use of a wide-angle lens in street photography, pushing the boundaries of composition and form.
2. Gutsy Attitude: Winogrand’s bold approach to getting close to his subjects and his aggressive style of shooting have been influential to Kim. This boldness in capturing moments is something Kim sees as a lesson in courage and commitment to the craft.
3. Constant Experimentation: Kim notes Winogrand’s continuous exploration with form and composition, avoiding standard, predictable shots in favor of experimenting with framing, angles, and the inclusion of various subjects.
4. Love of Life: Winogrand’s photography, according to Kim, exhibits a profound love for life, a trait that photographers should emulate by valuing the experience of life over the mere act of taking photos.
5. Disregard for Rules and Convention: Winogrand’s tendency to follow his own path, ignoring established rules and conventions, is highlighted by Kim as a testament to the importance of individuality in art.
6. Philosophical Approach: Winogrand’s philosophy of photographing the world to see what it looks like photographed resonates with Kim, emphasizing the exploratory and reflective nature of photography.

Eric Kim has also shared insights on Winogrand’s work ethic, notably his prolific shooting habits. Kim reflects on the importance of shooting a lot to increase the odds of capturing memorable images, advocating for an intentional approach rather than indiscriminate shooting. This perspective is rooted in the idea that more time spent on the streets and more shots taken can lead to more decisive moments being captured.

Moreover, Kim touches upon the significance of not hesitating and following one’s gut in street photography—a lesson learned from Winogrand’s fearless and instinctive shooting style. This approach involves overcoming hesitation and pursuing shots aggressively, a practice that can sometimes lead to ethical considerations about respect and consent in street photography.

Overall, Eric Kim draws from Winogrand’s methodology and philosophical approach to advocate for a passionate, engaged, and experimental approach to photography, urging photographers to shoot with purpose, embrace their unique perspective, and always strive for genuine connection and expression in their work oai_citation:1,10 Things Garry Winogrand Can Teach You About Street Photography – ERIC KIM oai_citation:2,10 Famous Street Photography Quotes You Must Know – ERIC KIM oai_citation:3,Why I Love the Photos of Garry Winogrand – ERIC KIM.