Month: January 2025

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MY PHOTO JOURNEY Sophistication (Mastery)

The subgenres of street photography

In many different street photography forums, one or two individuals seem to think that they can judge other people’s street photographs against some kind of undocumented standard that they carry in their own heads. The feedback is, not infrequently, delivered with little consideration for the intention of the original image maker, and has been described by others as ‘brutal’. I felt it might help to consider the wide range of different styles or ‘subgenres’ of street photography as feedback from someone whose preference (if not entire practice) is on one style may not appreciate the work of another whose interest lies elsewhere.

What follows is NOT a random list. I have synthesised ideas drawn from a range of sources rather than a direct reference to any single work. Many of these ideas originate in classic texts on street photography, which explore its various approaches and styles. For instance, Eric Kim’s Street Photography 101 offers insights into diverse methods and ways of working within the genre, while David Gibson’s The Street Photographer’s Manual provides a detailed exploration of specific approaches, such as minimalist and narrative photography. Similarly, Colin Westerbeck and Joel Meyerowitz’s Bystander: A History of Street Photography traces the historical development of the field, highlighting how styles have evolved.

Certain subgenres align closely with the work of iconic photographers. For example, Henri Cartier-Bresson exemplifies classic street photography with his decisive moment technique. Saul Leiter and Alex Webb are renowned for their vibrant use of colour, inspiring what is now often termed colour-focused street photography. Vivian Maier, on the other hand, represents the more documentary style, capturing candid moments of daily life with a focus on narrative and human emotion.

Online platforms and communities also contribute significantly to defining and evolving subgenres. Blogs such as Petapixel and Fstoppers, along with publications like Street Photography Magazine, regularly feature trends such as abstract and minimalist photography. In addition, forums and collectives such as In-Public and LensCulture, as well as Flickr groups dedicated to street photography, provide a space for photographers to experiment and refine their approaches, often leading to the emergence of new subgenres.

Finally, theoretical works like Susan Sontag’s On Photography and John Szarkowski’s The Photographer’s Eye offer broader perspectives on photography as an interpretative medium. These texts help in understanding conceptual and abstract approaches to street photography, which extend beyond capturing fleeting moments to engage with deeper ideas and themes.

Here, then, is my list of fifteen different approaches (‘subgenres’ or ‘styles’, if you prefer) to street photography.

1. Classic Street Photography

Captures candid, everyday moments in public spaces, often in black and white. This subgenre emphasises the “decisive moment” and natural composition.

Exemplars:

  • Henri Cartier-Bresson: Known for his “decisive moment” photography.
  • Robert Frank: The Americans offers an honest look at mid-20th-century America.

Reference:

2. Fine Art Street Photography

Focuses on aesthetic composition and mood, often blurring the lines between candid photography and artistic expression.

Exemplars:

  • Saul Leiter: Known for his painterly use of colour.
  • Alex Webb: Creates complex, layered compositions.

Reference:

3. [Social] Documentary Street Photography

Chronicles daily life with a journalistic approach, aiming to tell stories about people and places.

Exemplars:

  • Vivian Maier: Captures mid-20th-century urban life.
  • Garry Winogrand: Known for his raw documentation of social life in America.

Reference:

4. Street Portraiture

Focuses on individuals in public spaces, often highlighting their emotions, expressions, or stories.

Exemplars:

  • Diane Arbus: Intimate portraits of society’s outsiders.
  • Brandon Stanton: Creator of “Humans of New York.”

Reference:

5. Abstract Street Photography

Uses patterns, shadows, and textures to create abstract, artistic urban compositions.

Exemplars:

  • Trent Parke: Plays with light and shadow.
  • Harry Gruyaert: Focuses on abstraction through colour and form.

Reference:

6. Minimalist Street Photography

Simplifies urban scenes, often isolating subjects or focusing on clean compositions with few elements.

Exemplars:

  • Michael Kenna: Known for his minimalist approach.
  • Fan Ho: Captures sparse and evocative moments in Hong Kong.

Reference:

7. Conceptual Street Photography

Focuses on ideas, often blending candid photography with staged or symbolic elements to provoke thought.

Exemplars:

  • Philip-Lorca diCorcia: Blends staged and candid elements.
  • Jeff Wall: Creates large-scale conceptual urban scenes.

Reference:

8. Colour-Focused Street Photography

Emphasises vibrant and dynamic use of colour as a key element in urban storytelling.

Exemplars:

  • William Eggleston: Pioneered the artistic use of colour.
  • Martin Parr: Critiques modern life with bold, saturated imagery.

Reference:

9. Night Street Photography

Explores urban life after dark, relying on artificial light to create mood and mystery.

Exemplars:

  • Brassaï: Captures the atmosphere of Parisian nights.
  • Trent Parke: Focuses on moody, nocturnal scenes.

Reference:

10. Geometric Street Photography

Plays with architectural lines, symmetry, and patterns to create striking compositions.

Exemplars:

  • Henri Cartier-Bresson: Known for using geometry in his compositions.
  • Fan Ho: Creates geometric imagery with light and architecture.

Reference:

11. Humorous or Surreal Street Photography

Captures irony, absurdity, or humour in everyday urban scenes.

Exemplars:

  • Elliott Erwitt: Known for whimsical and comedic photography.
  • Matt Stuart: Highlights irony in urban life.

Reference:

12. Humanitarian Street Photography

Focuses on social issues and marginalised groups to raise awareness or promote change.

Exemplars:

  • Sebastião Salgado: Highlights human struggle and resilience.
  • Dorothea Lange: Known for her work during the Great Depression.

Reference:

  • Sontag, S. (1977). On Photography.

13. Street Photography with Motion Blur

Uses slow shutter speeds to emphasise movement and dynamism in urban scenes.

Exemplars:

  • Alexey Titarenko: Known for long-exposure urban photography.
  • Ernst Haas: Pioneered the artistic use of motion blur.

Reference:

14. Narrative Street Photography

Builds cohesive stories, often through a series of images that explore themes or tell a broader narrative.

Exemplars:

  • Eugène Atget: Chronicles Parisian streetscapes with depth.
  • William Klein: Fuses energy with storytelling in urban settings.

Reference:

15. Mobile Street Photography

Created exclusively with smartphones, showcasing spontaneity and accessibility.

Exemplars:

  • Eric Kim: Advocates for mobile photography.
  • Misho Baranovic: Focuses on smartphone urban imagery.

Reference:

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Why do photographers share their images in social media forums?

Photographers, along with other visual artists, often use social media to obtain ‘feedback’ on their work. Because of the immediacy of social media, this work is often ‘unfinished’ – it may have yet to be post-processed, selected, or collated. The feedback that they receive is often well-intentioned, but lacks an understanding of the image in context (from the photographer’s perspective), assumes that the image is the finished product, is highly subjective, and (while the commentator may not admit it) is generally from someone who lacks experience or qualification to assess the work. The original artist is sometimes defensive, may take offence at the feedback, or passively acknowledges it without necessarily learning from it (though we don’t know this for certain as the social media channels don’t generally allow easy chronological comparison). So, why do photographers submit so many images to these sites, and what can they do to get more useful input?

Photographers share their work on social media for various reasons, some of which go beyond the immediate desire for constructive feedback. The dynamics of social media and its culture often shape these motivations. Here are some key reasons:

1. Seeking Validation

Social media provides quick feedback through likes, comments, and shares. These metrics can boost the photographer’s confidence and sense of accomplishment, even if the feedback lacks depth or context.

2. Exposure and Networking

Posting on social platforms increases visibility. Photographers often use social media to build their brand, connect with other creatives, and attract potential clients or collaborators.

3. Creative Experimentation

Sharing unfinished or experimental work can help gauge public reaction to new ideas. Photographers may test concepts, styles, or themes to see how they resonate with an audience.

4. Community and Belonging

Many photographers participate in social media communities to feel part of a broader network of creatives. The process of sharing fosters a sense of belonging, even if the critique is limited in quality.

5. Instant Gratification

Social media offers immediate responses, which can be enticing compared to more formal or professional avenues of feedback, where responses may take longer.

6. Portfolio Building

Regular posting can function as a living portfolio. It showcases ongoing work, documenting progress and commitment, which might attract clients or commissions.

7. Learning Through Exposure

While much social media feedback is superficial, photographers may still glean useful insights by observing trends in audience preferences or seeing their work through others’ eyes.

8. Algorithmic Motivation

Social platforms reward regular posting with greater visibility. Photographers may feel pressured to post frequently to maintain or grow their audience.

9. Low Stakes Environment

Sharing work in progress on social media feels less formal than submitting to galleries or competitions. This casual environment reduces the fear of failure or rejection.

Challenges in This Approach

While these motivations explain the behaviour, they also expose photographers to risks, including:

  • Misinterpretation of Work: Audiences may not understand the context or intent of the image.
  • Oversimplified Feedback: Comments may focus on surface aesthetics rather than deeper conceptual or technical issues.
  • Emotional Impact: Negative or dismissive feedback can hurt the artist, even if it’s not constructive or informed.

To counteract these pitfalls, photographers can supplement social media sharing with more structured critiques from peers, mentors, or professional networks. This approach could help balance exposure, feedback quality, and artistic growth.

To get more from the feedback, a photographer could be more explicit about what their purpose for sharing is. How could they structure this request in a simple way?

How to encourage more relevant feedback

To structure a request for feedback clearly and effectively, photographers could include a short statement or question alongside their post. This should outline their purpose for sharing and guide the audience’s response. Here’s a simple template they might use:

  1. State the purpose: Explain why they are sharing the image. “This is an early version of my latest project exploring urban decay.”
  2. Specify the kind of feedback desired: Indicate the aspects they want comments on, such as composition, emotion, or technical elements. “I’d love to hear thoughts on how the composition communicates isolation.”
  3. Invite engagement: Use an open-ended question to encourage thoughtful responses. “What stands out most to you in this image?”

Alternatively, they could frame the request entirely as a question:

  • “I’m exploring how light shapes emotion in this photo. Does it feel balanced to you?”
  • “This is a draft from a series on loneliness. Does the mood come through strongly, or could it be clearer?”

By being explicit, photographers can help focus the audience’s comments and make the feedback more useful.

References

There are several sources that provide useful context or credibility to this discussion about feedback and its role in creative practice. Here are some relevant references:

1. The Role of Feedback in Creative Work

  • Amabile, T. M. (1996). Creativity in Context. Westview Press.
    Teresa Amabile’s research on creativity highlights the importance of feedback for creative development, noting that constructive feedback helps refine ideas and improve outcomes when given in a supportive environment.

2. Social Media and Creative Practice

  • Kirkpatrick, D. (2010). The Facebook Effect: The Inside Story of the Company That is Connecting the World. Simon & Schuster.
    This book discusses how social platforms influence behaviours, including those of creatives, and how they can shape identity and output.
  • Baym, N. K. (2015). Personal Connections in the Digital Age. Polity Press.
    This work explores how digital platforms mediate relationships and interactions, including how artists engage with audiences.

3. Critique in Art and Design

  • Elkins, J. (2014). Why Art Cannot Be Taught: A Handbook for Art Students. University of Illinois Press.
    Elkins offers a critical view of art education, particularly the role of critique and feedback in improving creative work.

4. Psychology of Feedback

  • Kluger, A. N., & DeNisi, A. (1996). The effects of feedback interventions on performance: A historical review, a meta-analysis, and a preliminary feedback intervention theory. Psychological Bulletin, 119(2), 254-284.
    This meta-analysis examines the mechanisms through which feedback influences performance and its varying impacts based on the way it is delivered and received.

5. Social Media Algorithms and Validation

  • Bucher, T. (2018). If…Then: Algorithmic Power and Politics. Oxford University Press.
    This book explores how algorithms shape user behaviour, including the creative process and feedback cycles on platforms like Instagram and Facebook.

Practical Insights

For actionable advice, consider resources like:

  • Berger, J. (1972). Ways of Seeing. Penguin Books.
    While not directly about feedback, this classic text explores how images are interpreted, which is essential for understanding audience responses.
  • Online communities such as those on platforms like Behance or DeviantArt, where photographers and artists explicitly discuss feedback norms.