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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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