What makes a good street photograph?

[sjmurray]

<p>Dan, that's what I was trying to get at: that there are concrete, definable things that make photos compelling. Its not that mysterious. Some people's lists will differ of course, but there are numerous common themes that people find compelling. BTW you list three things, hehe. A good thread would be to have folks post one street photo (one's own or maybe a famous photo) and tell what it is about that street photo that makes it good. I'd bet we could all point out the salient features in most cases. </p>

[Allen Herbert]

<p>G2ee guys, you don't have to reject the value of Atget's work to be able to do go in your own direction”</p>

<p>Who has rejected Agtet’s work………. Methinks you like to put words into others mouths…or, you like telling little white fairy tales. Personally, I’m happy to do my own thing and do not feel the need to “reject to do go” anyone’s work.</p>

<p>However, I not a mindless puppet which believes anything as long as enough self proclaimed important folk tell me it is so.</p>

<p>“Just because someone lived in the past doesn't mean their work is irrelevant to today”</p>

<p>Who said that other that the fairy at the bottom of your garden?</p>

<p>“art doesn't come out of a vacuum. Artists also are often consciously referential to past work and directly include those references in their work.”</p>

<p>“Really, that’s a big surprise obviously most folk are too stupid to understand that simplistic thought.” ...thanks for the understanding.</p>

<p>“The greats are great because what they produced contains things that are timeless, regardless of the date that is attached to it.”</p>

<p>Well, that maybe true, but it does not mean others of today are not also producing timeless work regardless of the date attached to it.</p>

<p>Perhaps we should put more emphasis on today instead of the continual dwelling in the past.</p>

[Allen Herbert]

<p>" Photography is the art of not pushing the button" Frank Horvat<br />What?! That's insane! Street photography is the art of pushing that button and doing it over and over. Shoot it and keep shooting it!<br />"<br>

The art is when to know when to push the button....however, the majority of street photographers understand that simple thought....they do not endlessly press the big button in motor drive hoping for a decent shot as you are implying . Are you a Leica man?</p>

<p>Perhaps we should all use a whole plate cam with a black hood covering our heads.</p>

<p> Bless you Frank for your deep words of wisdom.</p>

 

[rogerwb]

<p>Ton asked for pics, some of us responded. How about commenting on some of them rather than endless theory of what it takes to make a good street shot or quibbling over the definition of a snapshot ?<br>

Mine may be crappy, that's up to you to decide. There are two above and one below this post. <br>

The most important thing to me is subject matter. I don't have HCB's training that allows for instant perfect composition. Highlights may be blown or shadows inky. There is seldom time to attend to all the things needed for a perfect image when what you want is happening right in front of you a few feet away.<br>

To me, street shooting is all about spontaneity. The background and surroundings may be preselected but what happens there is what you need to be ready for. In this case, perfect exposure and depth of field settings can be preselected . Generally though, it's a case of there it is, aim and shoot.<br>

Steve: I like the girl shots, I am old but not yet dead. The middle two are nice exercises in making use of reflections, but otherwise don't do much for me. The last is a little fuzzy but I would have attempted the same shot.<br>

Maciek: You speak of the moment, but in your first shot, there isn't much happening unless you think a jaywalker is unusual. The girl on bike picture is very good. I can't make up my mind on the third.<br>

Ton: I don't know what the event was but those guys are certainly having a good time. Nice shot.<br>

Mine: I was sitting on a bench in the square, camera in my lap waiting for something to happen. This is one of the shots. The real subject of shot two was apparent to me when printing it. He could have had a V8. The third (below) was don by prefocusing a TLR on a cafe table, long cable release in my pocket.</p>

<p> </p><div></div>

[maciek_stankiewicz]

<p>Roger, I think that car on the sidewalk few seconds after the accident may be more interesting than a running guy ;) Thanks for the comment.</p><div></div>

[maciek_stankiewicz]

<p>How about... Let me think...</p><div></div>

[rogerwb]

<p>You got me, after I made the comment of the background guy slapping his head in my 2nd pic. The real subject isn't always what is "up front. " Your last post could have dozen captions, nice shot.</p>

[ray .]

"or more interesting than Agat"

 

You can't even spell his name correctly Allen, or you're too careless to bother.

[fi_rondo1]

<p>Allen, even Newton was humble enough to say he was "sitting on the shoulders of giants". Knowing those who came before you and appreciating them in the context of historical time isn't a crutch, it's not worship, it's not even an unnatural act...</p>

 

[dan_south]

<blockquote>

<p>Dan, that's what I was trying to get at: that there are concrete, definable things that make photos compelling. Its not that mysterious. Some people's lists will differ of course, but there are numerous common themes that people find compelling. BTW you list three things, hehe. A good thread would be to have folks post one street photo (one's own or maybe a famous photo) and tell what it is about that street photo that makes it good. I'd bet we could all point out the salient features in most cases.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Thanks, Steve. I hope that you'll start such a thread, as I would be happy to participate. After all, a picture is work a thousand words! ;-)</p>

<p>P.S. I agree with your assessment of Robert Gordon's work. It's outstanding.</p>

[neven]

<p>Anticipation. Decisive moments... :)</p>

<p><img src="http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/3812/8929432lg.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p><img src="http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/9449/8929981lg.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p><img src="http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/766/9547335lg.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p><img src="http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/958/8929911lg.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p><img src="http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/4946/9039491lg.jpg" alt="" /></p>

[tonmestrom]

<blockquote>

<p>A good thread would be to have folks post one street photo and tell what it is about that street photo that makes it good</p>

</blockquote>

<p>already exists. See the Thursday review threads.</p>

[fi_rondo1]

<p>Neven, good atmosphere in those pictures, but is that spot color stuff... Makes it look like wedding photography.</p>

<p>Also, like pigeon shadow quite a bit...</p>

[tomsheridan]

<p>I think a good street photo should have at least one of the following:<br>

Dramatic lighting, composition and tonal values.<br>

Narrative: you could tell a story based on the interplay and expression of the subjects.<br>

I take a lot of steet photos, most of them not very good, but I admire the above aspects of others' photos.</p>

[tomsheridan]

<p>I think a good street photo should have at least one of the following:<br>

Dramatic lighting, composition and tonal values.<br>

Narrative: you could tell a story based on the interplay and expression of the subjects.<br>

I take a lot of steet photos, most of them not very good, but I admire the above aspects of others' photos.</p>

[markjordan]

<p>Greg Kowalczewski, above, hit the nail on the head! I was waiting for someone to say that.."the emotion it generates." That is what we want with the final results of any photo.</p>