I have always been drawn to people, especially those who I find are interesting “characters.” I tend to gravitate towards people who have interesting facial expressions, to those with outstanding outfits, or accessories.
Although the majority of the street photography I do is done candidly, I have been drawn towards doing more posed street portraits of people I find interesting. Why? I find it gives me more time to interact with them, learn more about their lives, and also to take more photos of them (with their cooperation).
So once I get my subjects’ attention– how do I direct them and what is some of the psychology that goes behind it? I will share some candid thoughts (pun intended) about my process in terms of directing my subjects when taking portraits of them.
Eric’s Note: I am honored to share this interview with James Whitlow Delano, a talented photojournalist whose work has been awarded intentionally, including the Alfred Eisenstadt Award (from Columbia University and Life Magazine), Leica’s Oskar Barnack, Picture of the Year International, NPPA Best of Photojournalism, PDN and others for work from China, Japan, Afghanistan and Burma (Myanmar). His most recent iPad book Black Tsunami (FotoEvidence) documenting the Japan tsunami and nuclear crisis took a 2012 PX3 Award.
James is now trying to get his “Black Tsunami” book published as a hardcover book. Check out the Kickstarter page and support this noble cause, and also check out my interview with him below.
See how you can incorporate the barbell theory to improve your street photography, like these guys pumping iron and getting stronger. Photo by Guy Le Querrec, FRANCE 1979. Copyright: Magnum Photos
One of the most influential books that read in my life is “Antifragile” by Nassim Taleb. The book is part philosophy, and part a practical guide on how to live a virtuous life.
One of the central concepts of the book is the “barbell theory.” What is the barbell theory you ask? Well, it is the concept that whenever it comes to things in life– we should approach two extremes (and avoid the boring middle). It is a concept that I have applied to many fields of my life, including street photography. I hope this article can shed a new way on how you see the world, and how you can apply this to your own personal work.
So many choices, so little time. Dotwell Camera in Hong Kong
For the last year and a half or so, I have been shooting my personal street photography on exclusively film. After shooting digital for around 7 years or so, it has been a great experience so far and I have learned a ton.
When I first wanted to start shooting street photography I had a lot of fears. What if the photos don’t turn out? What settings should I use? What film is ideal? Where do I get my film processed? Or should I process it myself? What camera should I use? What chemicals do I need? The list goes on.
I am certainly not an expert when it comes to shooting film, but I wanted to write this article as a primer for those of you who want to get your feet wet (but may not know where to start). I will use my personal experiences and opinions– but of course, feel free to experiment. And if you see any mistakes in this article, please correct me in the comments below and I will revise it.
I am excited to share that I added a new workshop to my schedule: my first charity-based (pay what you can) workshop in Detroit with Brian Day (May 10-11th). 100% of the proceeds will be going to charity. IÂ hope this will be a great way for street photography to give back to the community. You can see more info and register here.
Eric’s Note: Mat Thornton is a 41 year old freelance designer and art director based in sunny Manchester, UK. I first stumbled upon his work in a Hardcore Street Photography thread, and was impressed by his strong graphical form and subtle use of color. Not only that, but how much of his street photography is quiet and doesn’t involve much people. Check out this brief interview with him below, and see some of his superb color work.
The master William Klein surrounded by students and fans, wanting to learn more about his work. Photograph by Guy Le Querrec. Copyright: Magnum Photos
I recently finished a book titled: “Mastery” by Robert Greene. The book is one of those inspirational books which outlines the stories of many famous masters and how they gained mastery. Although the book was a bit cheesy at times, I still found it to be an uplifting read, filled with interesting anecdotes that definitely gives you a huge kick in the ass to go out and to “discover your life task.”
I want to share some of the lessons I’ve learned from the book– and how one can plan to use some of the author’s advice to gain mastery in street photography. Certainly following these steps won’t necessarily cause you to gain mastery, but I certainly think it is a great blueprint.
Eric’s Note: This article was first published on the CSLR blog, but I am reposting it here in-case you didn’t have the chance to read it yet!Â
I first got introduced to photography when I was 18 years old. At my high school graduation ceremony, my mom gave me a little Canon Powershot point-and-shoot. I never considered photography before in my life, but I was amazed by the power I now held in my hands.
I had the power to capture life around me — to photograph those fleeting moments and make them eternal through my camera.
I am excited that a bunch of my good friends and street photography colleagues in Stockholm just founded “CUP” (Contemporary Urban Photography) to raise awareness of street photography in Scandinavia. They have partnered up with In-Public and are presenting an exhibition and workshop with Blake Andrews and Nick Turpin (May 22 – June 26th). All the juicy details below!
There are a few cameras that make me excited. The Ricoh GR-series are one of them.
Ricoh has an almost cult-like following in Japan (and all around the world) for its compact size and versatile functionality. In-fact, Daido Moriyama (one of Japan’s most famous photographer) uses the GR-series cameras exclusively (he used to shoot black and white film, and now digital GR’s). Frankly, I haven’t met a single street photographer who doesn’t like the camera.
I am excited to announce I will be teaching my popular “Introduction to Street Photography Workshop” in New York City 5/17-5/19 featuring Richard Bram from In-Public. In this action packed 3-day weekend workshop, you will learn the fundamentals of street photography, how to create visually compelling images, how to conquer your fear of shooting street photography, as well as tips & tricks how to capture “the decisive moment.”
If you feel your street photography is in a rut, want to step outside of your comfort zone, or travel to New York City — this is the perfect opportunity for you.
Hurry up and register,the deadline for the early-bird discount is May 4th, less than two weeks away!
Last November I shot a campaign for Samsung’s NX20 camera using a video camera strapped to my head to record the footage of me shooting street portraits in Chicago with permission. It was a project that was intensive: I shot for 2 days straight from 5am-noon on little sleep.
The thing I loved most about the project is that although I certainly didn’t take photos that made it into my portfolio — it forced me to step outside of my comfort zone and interact with lots of people on the streets in a short period of time. The fact that the video was being played live in Amsterdam while I was shooting did give me healthy pressure which ended up being a great learning experience.
Kid Sniffing Glue, Street 51 slums. Click to read more
Eric’s Note: This project is by Jonathan van Smit, a street photographer based in Hong Kong. In the past I have interviewed him on the Leica blog and you can follow his work on Flickr. In this post he shares his “Heart of Darkness” project in Phnom Penh. Warning, the photos are explicit and not safe for work. I thank Jonathan for sharing these very touching images with the rest of the community.
Jonathan: How did I start the ‘Heart of Darkness’ project?
Chris Minko, a musician friend of mine in Phnom Penh is the founder, guitarist and song-writer of a local band called ‘Krom’. I was touched by the words in one of his songs, and started a project loosely based on the lyrics.
she no like but she do
no money, no eat
love you like monkey
i no lie, i speak true
‘Yama’ is the God of Death in Sanskrit but in Phnom Penh it’s amphetamine sometimes mixed with heroin. I took these photos of two young women smoking Yama in a back room in the slum behind the ‘Heart of Darkness’ nightclub on Street 51’s red light district. They were beautiful once.
Mike: The street photography blogosphere has been buzzing lately with discussions about ethics. A recent review published by the San Francisco Chronicle started much of the fire. Jorg Colberg posted his own rant. Street photographers responded on their own blogs and online forums. The debate settled into two general camps and shots were fired between the two. Some argued that we should be more sensitive in how we approach people, others ranted that because the law protects us (at least in the United States), we can do as we like. There’s a bit more going on here and at stake. Street photographers, the art world, and the public at large must remember why photography in the public space is protected expression in many countries.
Kyoto Introduction to Film Workshop with Bellamy Hunt, Sean Lotman, and Junku Nishimura. 2013
If you want to conquer your fear of shooting street photography, meet other passionate street photographers, and take your work to the next level consider joining one of my upcoming workshops!
I have taught over 35 workshops, across 15 countries, to over 500+ students who have stepped outside of their comfort zones and have had life-changing experiences. Don’t miss out and see where you would like to join me in my schedule below!
Eric’s Note:Â Jin Kay Lee was born in 1991 and raised in Asbury Park, New Jersey. She currently resides in Brooklyn, New York and attends the School of Visual Arts. I love very much the way in Jin Kay is able to catch odd moments of everyday life with so much humor with a gentle touch. The color really adds to the zaniness of some of the images, and her images are very fresh from other contemporary street photography I see today.
Read more to see her playful color street photography.
Eric’s Note: I’m not sure how I first stumbled upon Baptiste Hauville’s work, but I knew instantly that I liked his unique vision and color street photography. What I love most about his work is the layers and complexity that he adds to his photographs, with strong geometric shapes and layers. Not only that, but a lot of his photos have a punch of humor in them as well. Check out his images and thoughts on street photography below.Â
Baptiste: I’m 27, and currently live in Lyon, one of the biggest cities in France. I hope to soon be a full-time working photographer. I think I first started photography thanks to my dad. I remember playing with his old camera (a black Minolta SRT101) during my childhood. He owned it for almost 30 years! And it still works. What a great piece of metal!
I got into street photography progressively. Actually, when I decided to go out with my camera for the first time, I had no idea that I was shooting street photography (well, trying to shoot street photography).
Erics’ Note: Lukas Vasilikos is one of the most original and talented contemporary street photographers today. Not only does he have a strong grasp of black and white, but he is also able to use color to his advantage as well. His photographs are powerful and show a deep insight into human nature. Read more to see his thoughts on street photography and his amazing work.
Lukas: My name is Lukas Vasilikos. I live and work in Athens, Greece. I started to take photos at 2006 after a photo-seminar with Manos Lykakis. Since my first steps in photography, I liked being out at streets and shooting. I like to communicate with people and use them as actors, playing a performance just for me.
Street photography makes me feel free. All my senses are on alert and I like the “huntingâ€: finding and catching the right moment. Right now I’m also working on a whole different project which is more personal, concerns night shooting. This way I explore emotions like death, loss, and more.
I was sitting at home with my girlfriend Cindy, and I suddenly got a call from my cousin overseas. After two bouts of heart attacks while he was in the hospital, he passed away suddenly. My mom then called me and told me that I had to immediately get on the next plane to Korea to attend my grandfather’s funeral (which was on Sunday).
It was Friday night, and Cindy was fortunately able to help me book a plane that left the next morning. I quickly tossed some clothes into a gym bag, packed my camera and laptop, slept, then left to the airport.
After a 18-hour flight to Busan, I arrived Saturday night in cold and rainy weather. I took a taxi straight to the church where my entire family from all around the globe was getting prepared for the funeral.
In the video above, I talk about my experiences shooting street photography in Dubai, the great joy I had in finding time back home to write, and how I am heading to Korea today for around two weeks. If you would like to meet up while I am in Seoul, write on my Facebook fan page or on Twitter.
Hector: My name is Hector Isaac. I’m 24, Cuban-born living in Miami, FL, I’m a Computer Science student and work as an auditor on the medical field.
Funny enough photography came as way to escape computers, as it involved much of my life from work, to school, and as a hobby as well. It all started back in December of 2011 after I read Life Magazine: A 100 Photographs that Changed the World. Soon after I bought my first camera, theFuji x100, and since then I have spent as much free time as possible photographing on the streets. Recently have been lucky enough to participate on 2 street photography events as a result: Miami International Street Photography and You Are Here II in Los Angeles.
Christian: I have now completed 30 weeks of my 1 year, 1 camera, 1 lens, 1 film project., so a bit more than halftime. I have to say it has been tougher than I thought it would be. On the other side though it has been a very rewarding experience so far. I would like to share my experience of what I have struggled with as well as what I feel I have learnt so far.
Have you ever walked on the streets and saw a moment that you wanted to capture, but you were too scared to take the photograph? Do you want to become more confident shooting in the streets and learn how to better interact with your subjects? Do you want to meet other street photographers that are as equally passionate about street photography or interested in learning like you?
In collaboration with talented Chicago street photographer, Satoki Nagata, I am excited to announce I will be teaching my popular “Introduction to Street Photography Workshop” in Chicago 4/19-4/21. In this action packed 3-day weekend workshop, you will learn the fundamentals of street photography, how to create visually compelling images, how to conquer your fear of shooting street photography, as well as tips & tricks how to capture “the decisive moment.”
The workshop is limited to 15 passionate individuals who want to take their street photography to new heights. The workshop will be an intimate experience in which you will learn solid fundamentals, get honest & constructive criticism on how to improve your photos, and meet other enthusiastic street photographers. This workshop is ideal for beginner or intermediate street photographers.
Register soon, the cut-off date for the early-bird discount is less than two weeks on (Sunday) 4/14!
Eric’s Note: I got introduced to Robert Huibonhoa from talented photographer Geric Cruz. When I look at Robert’s work, I am taken back by the elegance and poetry of his images. Although many of his images are quite somber in feel, he still celebrates and highlights the joys of life through his images. Check out his soulful black and white images (and some of his thoughts on shooting) in the feature below.
Robert: I got started in photography by the influence of my friends. I never took any formal training or attended any workshop, but luckily have been surrounded by, in my opinion, the best image makers in my country. There’s so much to be learned from other photographers vision and style. Most photographers are innately teachers of their craft even if they don’t know it. I still continue to look to their work for inspiration.
Eric’s Note: This article is by Josh White, a street photographer based in Toronto. I first met Josh in Korea about two years ago, where we taught a workshop together for Leica Camera Korea. Josh is also going to be a co-instructor in my upcoming workshop in Toronto. You can register intent here.Â
Josh: When Eric asked me to contribute to his blog with my thoughts on mobile photography, I had just seen the article “Mall Series,” by Stephen DiRado. The idea of shooting in a shopping mall was something I hadn’t thought much of. Â It’s an interesting place though, the mall.
It also coincides well with mobile photography and something I have been going through.
Since coming back to Toronto from Seoul nearly a year and a half ago I have struggled to find the inspiration I had during my four plus years in Korea. In Korea, every moment I stepped out of my apartment I felt inspired. I walked the streets at night channeling Daido Moriyama’s “stray dog.” I shot the same areas all the time and never once felt bored or uninspired.
When I was in Arles photo festival last year, I met a photographer who introduced me to a book that he just purchased, titled: “The Mexican Suitcase.” He was jumping up and down with excitement, barely able to contain his enthusiasm.
I was curious what made the book so unique– and I inquired. He then told me the incredible story of the “The Mexican Suitcase“, which were 3 boxes containing more than 4,500 negatives, covering the entire history of the Spanish civil war from 1936 to 1939 which went missing for over 70 years. The negatives included the work of Robert Capa, Chim, and Taro– and gave priceless insights into their working methodologies.
Eric’s Note: When I was in Manila in January, I met Veejay Villafranca at an exhibition of Carlo Gabuco‘s paintings. I heard great things about Veejay’s work, and when I looked at some of his images on his iPhone I was blown away. Not only does Veejay have a great eye for composition and imagery, but a great ability to connect with his subjects on a deeper and more emotional level. He is definitely one of the finest photographers in Manila, make sure to check out some his work below.
Eric’s Note: Chris Porsz is a street photographer based in Peterborough and has recently published a book on his photos from the 1980’s titled: “New England.” In this interview below, I talk to him about how he got started in street photography, how he embarked on his project, and how he eventually put it together as a book. Definitely an in-depth interview you don’t want to miss! Â
Chris: We share a birthday Eric but I go way back to the early hours of January 31, 1953, safe within the walls of Peterborough’s maternity unit while the worst floods of the 20th century visited our shores; ships went down and more than 300 people drowned.
Just eight years earlier, my mother, Krystyna, had teetered on the brink of death in a Nazi concentration camp. She and her two sisters, Eda and Regina, used to be called ‘the three beauties’. They led happy lives in Warsaw but the family was torn asunder by war. My mother’s father died in the sewers, her mother Sarah, Regina and her five-year-old daughter Lilliana were murdered in Majdanek concentration camp, Lublin. Eda was sent to Siberia by the Russians and that is where my cousin Vicki was born.
As street photographers, the gear we use is very important. It shows our identity, how much money we have in our bank accounts, and how serious we are about our street photography.
The bigger the lens you shoot with street photography, the better. I personally recommend the Sigma 200-500mm lens for street photography. Why? Let me explain in this article below with these 500 copyrighted tips below!
I first heard about William Eggleston through my good friend and talented street photographer Charlie Kirk about a year and a half ago. He mentioned that he just purchased a copy of “Chromes” by William Eggleston– and that it was one of his favorite photographic books. I asked Charlie what the book was, and he mentioned it was a 3-set book published by Steidl (I would argue the best publisher in the world) with some of the loveliest color photographs that, printed in the book, look more like fine art prints than just reproductions.
I was very excited to hear this, as I was getting more and more interested in color. I searched it instantly on Amazon, and was taken back that it cost ~300 USD. I have never spent more than 100 USD on a photo book, and the thought of spending so much was quite daunting.
Eric’s Note: Stephen DiRado is based in Worcester, MA. and has been exhibiting his photographs since 1983. He is a Photography Senior Lecturer in the Studio Arts Program in the Visual and Performing Arts Department at Clark University. Stephen has also recently received the prestigious Guggenheim fellowship to continue his photographic projects. In addition, he has finished his film “Summer Spent,” a personal documentary about recording beach goers on the island of Martha’s Vineyard on a large-format camera.
The emergence of the shopping mall during the later part of last century was like heaven opening many doors for a healthy middle-class to venture. As a subject it was under the radar of artists, accept for possibly George Romero’s cult film Dawn of the Dead in the late 70s, where zombies roamed about in a suburban mall in Pennsylvania. Shopper’s World, in Framingham, Massachusetts was located just miles from where I grew up. My parents loved shopping there, but I was emotionally terrorized with all of its multilevel ramps, dead end corridors, multiplex cinemas and endless parking lots.
In my opinion, Lee Friedlander is one of the most under-appreciated (or simply unknown) street photographers when it comes to the internet/social-media sphere. Of course Friedlander is one of the pillars of photography and is known to every student who has gone to photography school. However when I started photography, I had no idea who he was or never even heard of him.
When I first looked at his photographs of the stark urban landscapes, I didn’t really “get” them. However over time, I have began to appreciate his vision and genius when it came to capturing what he first called in 1964, “The American social landscape.”
If you aren’t familiar with Friedlander or simply want to learn more about his work and philosophy – read on.
Don’t miss out on the re-print of Koudelka’s book: “Exiles“!
To me, Josef Koudelka is one of the most brilliant photographers out there and a true master of black and white. Not only does his work carry a strong sense of composition, form, and geometry but they also carry an emotional impact. His photos are raw, gritty, and show both the hope and melancholy of life.
I was first introduced to Koudelka’s work by my good mate, Bellamy Hunt around two years ago. I was staying with Bellamy for a week in Tokyo, and I was rummaging through some his photo books. I asked him what his favorite book was, and Bellamy said: “Exiles” without even a second thought.
I pored through the book, and was amazed by the brilliance of the photographs. When I went back to the states, I did more research on him, and started to become more and more enamored by his work.
I hope this article can be a good introduction to the work and life of Josef Koudelka. He is notorious for not talking much about his work, but he has done several interviews in the past which give an insightful look into his creative process and how he photographs in the streets.
I remember the first time I stumbled upon Daido Moriyama’s work via word-of-mouth by a friend. I remembered how my friend told me how he was a genius, and how incredible his black and white work was.
When I first looked at Daido’s work, I simply didn’t “get it.” His shots looked like a bunch of random and unintentional snapshots. The majority of Daido’s photos weren’t very interesting to me and seemed to be quite boring.
However over time, Daido’s work has grown on me. I still don’t think he is the best street photographer in the world, but I love his unique vision in photography (similarly to William Klein, he went against the grain of tradition in photography). Not only that, but Daido inspires me for his curiosity in life and only sees photography as a way to document how amazing the world truly is.
I know you guys must be sick of my list posts by now, but I prefer to write in that manner as it is easier to organize my thoughts. So with no further adieu, here are some lessons that Daido Moriyama has taught me about street photography.
William Klein is one of my favorite street photographers of all time. I think one of the things that I love most about him is his “I don’t give a fuck” attitude about the way he approached street photography how he did things his own way. He rebelled against many of the contemporary styles of photography during his time, especially that of Henri Cartier-Bresson and other “classic” street photographers.
In this article, I will share what I have personally learned about street photography through his work. Also in the spirit of William Klein, I will use obscenities when illustrating some points. After all, I think that is what Klein would have liked.
On my flight from Dubai back to the states I just finished an excellent book by psychologist Barry Schwartz titled: “The Paradox of Choice.” In the book, Schwartz addresses the following question in Western society: Why is it that people are getting more miserable when the amount of choices we are given goes up?
I am sure we have all experienced this problem. Whenever we go to the grocery store and want to pick up a box of cereal, we are given hundreds of options. Whenever we go to buy a new car, there are so many different companies, models, and options to choose from. Not only that, but when it comes to buying cameras we are given so many choices in terms of what type of camera/sensor (Full-frame DSLR, ASPC-sensor, Micro 4/3rds, Compact, etc) as well as a choice of lenses.
Schwartz gives solutions in the book in terms of how to deal with the over-abundance of choice and stress that it comes with. I have found this advice to be invaluable both in terms of my everyday life and when it comes to photography/buying equipment. I hope these tips help you, as they have very much helped me.
For this post, I have also included some new photos from Istanbul that I shot last year. (more…)
One book that has deeply influenced me the last few months is: “A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy.” The book is a great introduction to the philosophy of Stoicism: which can be summed up as being undisturbed by negative emotions and gaining tranquility and a peace of mind.
I have applied the philosophy of Stoicism to many parts of my personal and work life– as well to my street photography. While I am still new to the concepts of Stoicism, much of its concepts have helped me I hope this post can also help you. To illustrate the points in this article, I have included some photographs from my ongoing “Suits” project.
Eric’s Note: I am not sure how I stumbled upon the work of Todd Gross, but when I first saw his images- I was hooked. Not only are his images colorful and vibrant, but they are quite surreal, wacky, and in Todd’s words– jazzy. Not only does he have a talent for spotting and photographing interesting characters, but also colorful “still life” photos on the street. Check out his fresh color work and thoughts in the feature below.
Todd: I am a 42-year old lifelong (townie!) resident of Queens, New York and Forest Hills High School drop-out. That’s the same school the Ramones didn’t got to. Love those guys. I saw Tommy buying flowers for his Mom at a local deli… once.
As a kid I was obsessed with collecting Mad magazines. Alfred E Neuman was my guy. I wrote and drew my own rip-off, called Nutso. Unfortunately, I lacked talent. My drawing skills were for shit. I couldn’t even make it to stick-figure level. We’re talking more like… blobs. Also, this being the early ’80s there was Atari and Intellivision to play, so I eventually grew discouraged and gave it up. But I knew I wanted to get involved with some sort of visual art at some point.
Eric’s Note: Yves Vernin is a street photographer based out of Marseille, France. I met Yves in Marseille last year, where he was an amazing host and showed me all around the city. I wanted to share his images of Marseille, a place that I haven’t seen much street photography from, and I love how he is able to catch the brilliant light there. Read more to see his images and his beginnings and what he looks for when in the streets.
It has been a while since I did a travel update video, so I just put one together to keep you guys in the loop. Also some written notes are below. Click more to read more about my adventures in Mumbai, thoughts on the new Fujifilm X100s and the Leica M, and more!
If you are a street photographer on-the-go looking for some new camera bags for street photography (small or large) check out my above video reviews on the new Chrome Niko Camera Sling and Chrome Niko Camera Pack.
The Chrome Niko Camera Sling is a small bag designed for street photographers with small DSLR’s, Micro 4/3rds cameras, or rangefinders. I love how it is small, waterproof, and forces you to carry only the bare minimum when you are out on the streets. The Chrome Niko Camera Pack is much larger, for traveling street photographers who may also do professional gigs on the side.
For more images of the bags, read more. Special thanks to Chrome for providing these bags for review.
Eric’s Note: I recently met Swarat Ghosh in my Intermediate/Advanced worskhop in Mumbai. When we were doing portfolio reviews, I was quite blown away with his work — especially considering that he has only been shooting street for a little over a year. He is based in Hyderabad, and is one of the most fervent and hard-working street photographers I have met. His work definitely shows it.
Swarat: I am a Visual Designer by profession, working in a reputed IT company in Hyderabad. Mostly been influenced by my parents and sister who have always encouraged me to do the best in my life.Later, my hidden talent in photography was discovered when my wife gifted me a DSLR camera Nikon d3000 with 35mm prime lens in Oct, 2010. Since then, I am nurturing the passion for photography.
Garry Winogrand is one of my favorite street photographers of all-time. Sure, he hated the term “street photographer” and didn’t call himself one — but his contagious energy, love of the streets, and powerful imagery is what draws a lot of street photographers to him.
In the video above produced by Michael Engler, Winogrand shoots the streets of LA and shares some of his philosophies when it comes to street photography. Watch the video above or read a transcript that I put together below and some of my thoughts on what we as street photographers can learn from him.
Eric’s Note: When I started street photography, one of the photographers whose work always amazed me was that of Matt Stuart. He is part of the international street photography In-Public, and has caught some of the most incredible images I have ever seen. I was always curious about how he was able to capture his moments. In the video interview with Miniclick, he talks about his thoughts on street photography, commissions, ethics, his interest, and the future of photography.Â
For your convenience I have also written together a transcript of the interview below, so read more to get all the goodies. Photographs courtesy of Matt Stuart.
There are very few books written on the history of street photography. However, the best book that I know: “Bystander: A History of Photography” is superb. The book was co-authored by photography curator and historian Colin Westerbeck and the legendary street photographer Joel Meyerowitz. The two collaborated for many years on the book, with Westerbeck doing most of the writing and Meyerowitz giving guidance and helping edit images for the book.
I picked up my copy a few years ago, and was amazed to see how in-depth and expansive it was on the history of street photography. I used it as a reference for an online course I taught on street photography at UC Riverside Extension in 2011, and learned many insights from the book.
I wanted to write this article to share some of my personal insights which I learned from the book and the history of street photography. I hope you enjoy it. Also if you see any typos, grammatical errors, or unclear points- please leave a comment below.
Considering this is a long article (31 pages long), I consider you to either save it to Pocket or to Instapaper and read it in bits and chunks. You can also download a .doc file of it, or a PDF of the article.Â
Adam Marelli, a talented photographer and artist that I have taught two workshops with recently gave a superb lecture at the B&H Photo space in NYC on design/composition. The talk is about an hour and a half, and worth every minute. I highly recommend every street photographer who wants to better understand how to compose their photos better to watch it. More description of the talk below:
We will look at how many of the design problems that photographers face have been addressed by classical artists. Bridging the gap of classical art and street photography, Henri Cartier-Bresson combined the two practices and set the world of photography on a new course. We will look at how he and his followers at Magnum, converted the lessons from classical artists into the photojournalism, street photography, and portraiture. We will introduce the visual language, examining its basic grammar and the ways in which photographers can build up each element in their own work. They will be given specific examples from master painters who were proto-street photographers.
Attendees will walk away with a completely new way of viewing the design accomplishments of classical art. Museums and galleries will breathe with new life as the geometry of art and design is decoded specifically for photographers. You will be given a list of “common compositional mistakes” that many photographers make because the they are only taught to artists. We will also reveal where the “Rule of Thirds” comes from and look at additional techniques to use with a 35mm format.
If you want to learn more, make sure to also check out Adam’s upcoming workshops here.
Eric’s Note: Nico Chiapperini is an Italian street photographer currently based in Den Bosch, The Netherlands. He wanders the streets looking for documents, memories, and impressions, in which composition and light freeze feelings for eternity. He also uses his street photography as a way to collect his thoughts in which he uses a metaphor of a kaleidoscope of memories and future visions. Through this quest, he discovers questions, sometimes answers, but always emotions in his imagery.Â
Nico: My mum was a teacher in a primary school. I was eight years old when I went with her on a school trip to a Jurassic Park for children. There I took some pictures of fake dinosaurs with my father’s SLR. It was my first time and I used two rolls of film. The day after my dad told me I could have bought nice postcards instead of wasting so much film and money. He did not have bad intentions, he later tried to encourage me, but I was a sensitive child and never touched a camera again for a very long time.
It has been around a month since I returned from teaching/shooting street photography in Manila, and I finally had the chance to do an update video. My experiences in Manila were incredible, and a huge thanks to Jeff Mercader for bringing me over and to Joel Mataro and the guys at DAAN for organizing everything and really taking care of me. Also of course a shout-out to all of the workshop participants who totally rocked the streets of Manila.
I wanted to do this video to share my experiences shooting street photography in Manila, and why I think it is such a phenomenal country to travel to. I think it is seriously one of the most under-rated places to visit, and I encourage everyone who wants a friendly, affordable, and inspirational place to shoot street photography abroad!
Eric’s Note: I am excited to share that the registration for my Introduction to Street Photography Workshop in Dubai (3/22-3/23) is now open! More info in the post below:
Have you ever walked on the streets and saw a moment that you wanted to capture, but you were too scared to take the photograph? Do you want to become more confident shooting in the streets and learn how to better interact with your subjects? Do you want to meet other street photographers that are as equally passionate about street photography or interested in learning like you?
In collaboration with Visual Arabia 2013, I am excited to announce I will be teaching my popular “Introduction to Street Photography Workshop” in Dubai 3/22-3/23. In this action packed 2-day weekend workshop, you will learn the fundamentals of street photography, how to create visually compelling images, how to conquer your fear of shooting street photography, as well as tips & tricks how to capture “the decisive moment”.
The workshop is limited to 12 passionate individuals who want to take their street photography to new heights. The workshop will be an intimate experience in which you will learn solid fundamentals, get honest & constructive criticism on how to improve your photos, and meet other enthusiastic street photographers. This workshop is ideal for beginner or intermediate street photographers.
John Szarkowski and Garry Winogrand fooling around. Photograph by Lee Friedlander, 1971. Tumblr icon added for drama.
Tumblr has been one of the most popular social media sites as of late when it comes to street photography. Personally I haven’t used Tumblr much, but I see that the platform has a lot of potential for street photographers and the community.
There is a vibrant and active street photography on Tumblr — but the problem is knowing who you should follow. Below is a curated list of notable photographers/street photographers/collectives to follow. Big thanks to Chio Gonzalez and AG DeMesa for helping me compile this list.
Also of course this is not a comprehensive list. If you have other suggestions on other street photographers to follow on Tumblr (other than yourself) please paste a link in the comments below!
About two years ago, John Maloof started a Kickstarter to fund a feature-length documentary film: “Finding Vivian Maier“. Since then, the film has made a lot of progress (it will be released later this year) and an official trailer has just been released (watch above). After watching the trailer, I am confident that the film will do a great job uncovering the hidden life and photography of Vivian Maier.
For those of you who are not familiar with Vivian Maier, you can read more about some words I have written about her story here.
You can also see more work by Vivian Maier on her official website here.
Follow the Progress of the Film
To follow the progress of the film, follow the Vivian Maier film below:
Eric’s Note: I am very excited to share this interview that I did with the members of Oculi, one of the most established photography collectives in Australia. Their members are diverse and practice many different styles of photography including documentary, fine art, reportage, street photography, and more.
Their current members are: Donna Bailey, James Brickwood, Lee Grant, Claire Martin, Nick Moir, Jeremy Piper, Andrew Quilty, Raphaela Rosella, Dean Sewell, David Maurice Smith and Tamara Voninski, with former members including: Narelle Autio, Warren Clarke, Nick Cubbin, Tamara Dean, Glenn Hunt, Jesse Marlow, Trent Parke and Steven Siewert.
To find out more about Oculi and their philosophies, read on!
Much thanks to the help of my girlfriend Cindy, I have nearly finalized the dates most of my street photography workshops for 2013. In my recent blog post I mentioned the difficulties of traveling too much, so I am spending more time in Northern America (to spend more time at home with my loved ones, friends, and family).
If you want to take your street photography to new heights by building your confidence, better incorporating design & composition to your work, and want to meet other like-minded street photographers — these workshops are perfect for you.
At the moment registration is only open for my upcoming workshops in Hong Kong, and Dubai. Pre-registration is open for Chicago, NYC, Toronto, Vietnam, Bangkok, Istanbul, LA, SF, Tokyo, and Kyoto! Read more to see the full schedule below.
March
3/16-3/17: Hong Kong – Intro to Street Photography Workshop - More Info & Register – FEW SPOTS LEFT!
3/22-3/24: Dubai – Intro to Street Photography Workshop – More Info & Register – REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!Â
April
4/18-4/21: Chicago – Intro to Street Photography Workshop -Â Register Intent
May
5/16-5/19: New York City – Intro to Street Photography Workshop –  Register Intent
June
6/13-6/16: Toronto -Â Intro to Street Photography Workshop – Register Intent
Today I turn 25 years old. The last year has been one hell of an adventure. This year, I have been on the road at least 2-3 weeks out of every month – and I have been to 18 cities internationally, in 15 different countries.
Everyday when I wake up, it still feels surreal that I am pursuing my passsion — street photography for a living. When I got laid off my job nearly two years ago, I was scared, nervous, and uncertain about the future. I had credit card debt to pay off, oustanding student loans, and of course bills and rent to pay on top of all of it.
Fortunately with your endless encouragement I have been able to fully concentrate my efforts on street photography and not get distracted by anything else.
I have so many people to thank who helped me go this far. There is no way any of this would be possible without those giving me a place to stay during my travels and acting as warm hosts, to those attending my workshops, and especially to you — my dear reader for supporting this blog.
One of the problems I have is reflecting on the past. I am very present-oriented (which is a good thing in many regards), but I often forget to dwell on my rich past experiences. That and looking toward the future.
Here are some lessons I have learned about street photography and life in 2012:
Eric’s Note: Junku Nishimura is one of the most talented street photographers that I know in Japan. Not only is he incredibly passionate about his photography (he shoots exclusively film and develops and prints all of his work) but he is also one of the most down-to-earth. I taught a film street photography workshop in Kyoto with him alongside Bellamy Hunt and Sean Lotman- which was an incredible experience. On the last night of the workshop, we were sitting in a bar in Kyoto and I conducted an interview with him. Here is a transcription (along with some edits) of the interview.
Also I am excited to share that Junku has joined international street photography collective Burn My Eye. You can see his portfolio on BME here.
Eric’s Note: I first met Gary Wang when I visited Singapore last year to do an exhibition and a series of street photography workshops. From what I heard about Gary was that he used a rangefinder, shot really close to his subjects (often using a 21mm or 28mm lens), and that his black & white work was stirring. Gary is an all-around cool guy, with a great passion for street photography and the photography community — being one of the founding members for the Rangefinder Singapore (RFSG) group. Oh yeah, and he is a complete black&white film nut as he does all his own developing at home. I also did an interview with him in the past on the Leica blog.
Gary recently was featured in this short documentary during a trip to Brighton pier in which he talks about his philosophy about street photography, traveling, and shooting black and white film. There are also some good video footage of him shooting the streets of Brighton.
Gary told me that they forgot to bring a microphone along, which caused the audio to be quite poor. I have gotten this complaint a ton in the past as well, so I transcribed a rough guideline to what Gary says in this interview. To see more of Gary’s work and read his words, read on.
Eric’s Note: I first met Carlo Gabuco in Singapore about a year ago, at the Invisible Photographer Asia gallery with Kevin Wy Lee. When I looked at Carlo’s work, I was overwhelmed by the sense of beauty and darkness in his monochromatic images. I was even more surprised to discover that he was first a painter (I saw a recent painting exhibition by him in Manila and was also blown away).Â
Discover more about Carlo’s artistic vision and his visions/aspirations for the Filipino street photography community in the interview below.
I recently conducted a video interview with Satoki Nagata, a talented street photographer based in Chicago about his photography and approach.
One of the questions I asked Satoki was regarding his Cabrini–Green Housing, a documentary he did with people in the Cabrini–Green area of Chicago (known to be a dangerous area full of gang-activity with low-income housing). Satoki was drawn to the area, and he was able to take some incredible portraits of the people in the community. My biggest question for him was: “How did you conquer your fear of photographing strangers you didn’t know, especially in a dangerous area?”
His answer was that he photographed a month shooting at his Leica’s minimum focusing distance: .7 meters (2.3 feet).
Eric’s Note: Geric Cruz is a Filipino photographer that discovered photography on accident in 2006 when his uncle gave him a Polaroid Instamatic Camera. Through his travels in the states and in the Philippines, he discovered his unique voice in photography and focuses on personal projects that deal with social issues. His documentary and personal work is strong and stirring, beautifully marrying both form and content.
To see more of Geric’s black & white work, read on.
Eric’s Note: Geloy Concepcion is a young photographer from Manila, who is both interested in photography and street art.  Upon graduating from The University of Santo Tomas, he got selected at the 7th Angkor Photo Workshops in Cambodia, and has exhibited his work in Taiwan, Tokyo, and most recently in Singapore. If you are looking for a talented up-and-comer, definitely keep your eyes on Geloy.
Eric’s Note: This is a transcription of an interview I had with Leanne Jazul, a photographer based here in Manila. He is one of the founders of Usapang Kalye, a forum for “street photography talk” in the Philippines. I was very impressed with his thoughts and philosophies on street photography, as well as his vision and hope for street photography in the Philippines. Read on to find out more about Leanne and his images.
Eric’s Note: Last year, I was a judge and featured photographer of YOU ARE HERE, an innovative street photography event/exhibition in Los Angeles run by the Think Tank Gallery. The concept of the project last year was that 35 photographers had 10 days to shoot in a one-square-block street in Downtown LA’s fashion district. The best 3 photos from each photographer was featured in the gallery. Needless to say, the event was a huge hit.Â
To see a recap of YOU ARE HERE, you can watch the video here.Â
I am now excited to announce YOU ARE HERE II, a sequel to last year’s event- with a controversial twist. To find out more about the event, read on.
Eric’s Note: Chio Gonzalez is a 17 year-old street photographer based in Manila, Philippines. He has been shooting street photography seriously for almost a year now, equipped with a Nikon D60. I first discovered Chio when he applied (and was awarded) for a student scholarship to both my Manila Intro and Intermediate/Advanced Street Photography Workshop. Not only am I impressed by his photography and vision (especially at such a young age) but also by his maturity and humbleness.
To find out more about his photography, beginnings, and vision for street photography in Manila -read on.
Chrome Industries is launching the Streets of Chrome – A photo contest to find the world’s next great street photographer in conjunction with the drop of its new Niko Camera Bags.
Chrome is calling for entries from street photographers everywhere for its Streets of Chrome photo contest, which runs January 22–February 14, 2013. Finalists will be chosen by Chrome’s panel of expert judges and the winner will be determined by open voting on www.streetsofchrome.com February 7th-14th. Photo submissions will be judged based on creativity, originality, and ability to capture the essence of the streets.
The judge panel includes legends Rickey Powell, Tod Seelie and Ken Goto and the grand prize will be a Fujifilm X-Pro1 compact-system camera, a Fujifilm X-Pro1 35mm F/1.4 lens, and a Chrome Niko Camera Backpack.
Eric’s Note: Denmark-based street photographer Jonas Husballe Normann recently embarked on a U.S. tour this summer, and met SF-based street photographers Brad Evans and Travis Jensen. After getting to know them, Jonas was inspired by their work and how they gave back to the community and made this mini-documentary on them and their work. Below is a description of the video/documentary from Jonas.
Jonas: I finally got time to edit some more video from my U.S. tour this summer. I didn’t shoot quite as much as I had planned, but it was still enough to create a story about two talented photographers, Brad Evans and Travis Jensen, as I got to know them on my trip. In the process I developed a lot of respect for their photography.
They spent a year shooting and then creating a photo journal about San Francisco’s Tenderloin district. It’s a very underserved neighborhood that many consider as rough on the edges. I spent a lot of time there, but I didn’t shoot too much because it can be dangerous to visit and play tourist with a camera. Travis used to live in the Tenderloin as a young man and both him and Brad have a good understanding and awareness of the area’s dynamics.
Instead of showing only the bad side of the neighborhood that other photographers have emphasized in the past, Brad and Travis were determined to portray the area’s positive aspects.
The book’s profits are donated to a social charity in the neighborhood that helps at-risk youth living on the street.
Read more to see photos from Brad Evans and Travis Jensen.
Student Photograph by Chio Gonzalez. Manila 2013. Click to see entire album on Facebook
I am excited to share that I finished my first Manila Introduction to Street Photography Workshop here in Manila. Street photography here is amazing, with some of the friendliest people, and bright vivid colors. Definitely a place I will be visiting yearly!
You can see the best student photos from the Manila Introduction to Street Photography Workshop 2013 on Facebook. Vote for your favorite “people’s choice award” photograph from the workshop by “Liking” it. The photograph with the most likes will get a prize sponsored by Lightroom!
If you want to also join in the fun and take your street photography to the next level, check out some of my upcoming workshops in 2013 below!
—
February
2/23-2/24: Mumbai, India – Introduction to Street Photography Workshop. For more info and to register, email Kaushal Parikh at kaushalparikhphotography@yahoo.in
2/27-2/28: Mumbai, India – Intermediate/Advanced Street Photography Workshop. For more info and to register, email Kaushal Parikh at kaushalparikhphotography@yahoo.in
March
3/2-3/3: Mumbai, India (Pune cancelled) – Intermediate/Advanced Street Photography Workshop. For more info and to register, email Kaushal Parikh at kaushalparikhphotography@yahoo.in
3/16-3/17: Hong Kong – Introduction to Street Photography Workshop with Gary Tyson from F8 photography - REGISTER HERE
3/29-3/31: Los Angeles – Introduction to Street Photography Workshop - Register intent - NEW!
Tentative Upcoming Workshops 2013
United States
San Francisco – Introduction to Street Photography Workshop (Summer 2013) - Register Intent
New York City – Introduction to Street Photography Workshop (Summer 2013) –  Register Intent
Chicago: – Introduction to Street Photography Workshop (Summer 2013) -Â Register Intent
Asia
Bangkok – Street Photography Workshop (possibly in April onwards) –  Register Intent
Istanbul – Week-long Introduction to Color Street Photography Workshop (possibly in April onwards) - Register Intent (to stay updated)
“The Americans” by Robert Frank is one of the most influential photo books published of all-time. It has inspired countless numbers of photographers across all genres, especially appealing to documentary and street photographers. I know the book has had a profound impact on my photography and how I approach projects.
While I am not an expert on Robert Frank or “The Americans”, I will share what I personally have learned from his work. For your reference, I used Steidl’s “Looking In: Robert Frank’s The Americans” as a primary resource for this article. The article is incredibly long, and I encourage you to read it not all in one sitting, but in different phases.
I would also highly recommend saving this article and reading it on Instapaper or Pocket. These services allow you to save the article to read later on your phone, iPad, computer, etc. Â
Above is another POV video I made while filming for the Samsung NX20 photography campaign. I hope you guys enjoy!
You can see my first Chicago Street Portraits POV video here.
You can see my second Chicago Street Portraits POV video here.
Tonight I am also leaving to go camping in the Grand Canyon for a week. Just going to bring my Contax T3, 10 rolls of Portra 400, and will take my shot at doing some landscape photography :). I will be back on January 1st, with lots of great new interviews to feature and more.
I wish all of you guys happy holidays and a happy new year! Enjoy your time with your loved ones and those closest to you!
Eric’s Note: I am honored to share this interview with Burn My Eye member Zisis Kardianos on his new book, “A Sense of Place” – an exploration of the Greek island of Zakynthos. As Zisis describes in the book:
“They suggest a tour, off the beaten track, where the personal exploration of my native island is shared in the hope you are left with an emotional awareness of the place rather than a literal understanding of a location. A sense of the place.”
If you want to read more about Zisis’ start in photography, what inspired him to make the book, and how he put it together – read on.
Eric’s Note: I am happy to share the work of JB Maher, a street photographer based in Dublin. JB is a member of the international candid collective Burn My Eye and his photographs of everyday life show both the hopeful aspects as well as the more grim aspects. Check out why he shoots and his images in the feature below.
JB: I am 29 years old and currently live in Dublin, Ireland. I don’t really have any complex explanation as to why I began to walk the streets of my home with a camera in tow. However, having a very bad memory I imagine this unconsciously drove me to pick up a camera as a way to document my surroundings. Little did I know that that was an impossible task and it took some time but I eventually learned that what I see and what a photograph can show are two very different things.
