Random Street

Twelfth Avenue

Hello, it would be nice for folks too share.

If not I will share my photos.

Chinatown San Francisco, one from a while back.

While back from S.F.

Untitled by Barry Fisher

A very random street scene

Forgive me this comment (perhaps even rant). It is not intended to criticize anyone but just to put forward my personal views on Street Photography. I'm by no means anywhere close to being a good street photographer. I do believe that I learn more and more about what makes some street photography 'great' and other street photography mediocre

The best street photographers have (per project/series) a purpose, some kind of goal, plan and even unifying style. Much of their photography is 'random' in the sense that they randomly encounter people and situations that fit in with with their project. Of course, there is also a willingness of these people to tell their story.

Mike

Forgive me this comment (perhaps even rant). It is not intended to criticize anyone but just to put forward my personal views on Street Photography. I'm by no means anywhere close to being a good street photographer. I do believe that I learn more and more about what makes some street photography 'great' and other street photography mediocre

 

The best street photographers have (per project/series) a purpose, some kind of goal, plan and even unifying style. Much of their photography is 'random' in the sense that they randomly encounter people and situations that fit in with with their project. Of course, there is also a willingness of these people to tell their story.

 

Mike

Mike you can criticise my post all you like it must be one of the most boring photos I've ever posted here. But it seemed to fit "Random Street" and the the generaal standard of posts preceding it, It was meant to be ironic.

it seemed to fit "Random Street" and the the generaal standard of posts preceding it, It was meant to be ironic.

!

Why is it that the (self acknowledged and agreed upon ) crap photographers (that’s you Mike) feel the need to bang on about the best street photographers in a amateur street photography forum.

Possibly because a photographer at any skill and aesthetic level and even non-photographers might have something perceptive to say.

Though there's something to be said for projects, goals, and consistent style, I don't agree they're desirable in all cases. Nevertheless, I'm glad Mike spoke up.

A little provocation now and then shouldn't sting terribly much. Unless it does! ;)

" feel the need to bang on about the best street photographers in a amateur street photography forum" Ludmilla.

I agree. The object of the post is all about photographers sharing their photos with other photographers. That simple.

We all have different levels of ability, and more importantly different styles: absolutely, a photographer does not have to feel they have to present a popular masterpiece. Just share. Because that is what this post is all about sharing. Sharing, so we can all enjoy other folks work...and be inspired to get out there.

That simple

There aren't really rules to follow in forums other than the very basic rules that administrators or moderators have set for those forums.

One suggestion to street photographers and any photographers who are going to post their work in public forums where words are allowed is to try to develop thick enough skins to accept a variety of comments, opinions, praises, criticisms, and other responses. I think it's certainly reasonable for a photographer to respond to a viewer's criticism, especially if the photographer disagrese with it. That's different from trying to silence criticism, which tends to show insecurity and fear.

"post their work in public forums where words are allowed is to try to develop thick enough skins to accept a variety of comments, opinions, praises, criticisms, and other responses" Sam.

But, this is not a photo critique forum. A few words is suffice. Join in Sam, post a photo, more interesting than words.

It is a sharing place.

"That's different from trying to silence criticism, which tends to show insecurity and fear" Sam

Again, this is a sharing thread, not a photo critique forum, regardless if it is a public forum.

A few words is suffice.... Again, this is a sharing thread, not a photo critique forum

This is the Street and Documentary forum. It allows words and photos and, to my knowledge, there are no limitations on number of photos posted or number of words posted. And as long as the words stay within the terms of use of the site and are on the topic of Street and Documentary photography, whether they are comments on the photos posted, on a topic chosen, or on something else relative to Street and Documentary, a wide latitude has always been allowed on PN, to PN's credit.

Remember, there's an entire No Words forum where a street thread could be posted where, obviously, no words are allowed, except for concise introductions to photos with no cross-talk about them. That might be the appropriate place for what you're looking for.

Lets have think.

A newbie photographer posts a photo, to share, which they are proud of. And then big bad Sam/Fred destroys it, as a master photographer, he thinks..

Methinks, they will never post a photo again. It is not what you say, but how you say it, in a kind positive way.

Think N/W, and W/NW.

Anyway, I respect your views, Sam.

Thank you for contributing. Really.

Why should anyone take offense to mike posting a thoughtful response on topic and not directed to any single person.

How about a heads up if you are hoping a post outside of no words to be limited to only a few words. There have been some good discussions in the street forum, initiated by topics, photos or comments similar to Mike's observation... imo an interesting part of the image saturated s&d forum.

"the best street photographers have (per project/series) a purpose, some kind of goal, plan and even unifying style" Mike.

A purpose, a goal, a plan. Sort of like mathematical equations, to achieve a unifying style, Of course like most mathematical equations time eventually sends them to the dustbin as other equations become more revealing. Or, perhaps the photographic equations of the old masters are to be followed. Of course the best street photographers, and those who decide, follow the time worn equations of the old masters. Random images, of the street, defy the time old equations of the old masters, whos styles were easily recognised. Unless they were doing documentary photography, I suspect their street photography, was much about the chaos of the street ,without a purpose other than what was revealed.

There have been some good discussions in the street forum, initiated by topics, photos or comments similar to Mike's observation... imo an interesting part of the image saturated s&d forum.

We must be living in a parallel universe, inoneeye .Can I join yours?

The street forum is hardly saturated with images or even words.