Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2007/08/19

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Subject: [Leica] philosophy of street photography
From: pjtotoole at gmail.com (Peter O'Toole)
Date: Sun Aug 19 10:49:58 2007
References: <43943D65632C7E89F0EB85FE@hindolveston.reid.org>

Brian,
My thoughts on street photography -- if I may -- is that it's a captured
event at the release of the shutter. The subject is not singular, it's
neither the person(s), nor the environment -- which includes the
photographer -- but the photographer's random perception of an occurrence on
the street, in which people are usually included. There is nothing contrived
-- it's purely a natural occurrence, and people are seen as they are.  Done
correctly, it's terrific, it's harmless, it's fun -- and it's an art form --
in my philosophical opinion.
Pete




On 8/19/07, Brian Reid <reid@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us> wrote:
>
> I've been curious for years why it is that the norm in street photography
> is
> not to interact with the subjects. I am primarily a portrait person, and
> everything about portraiture involves interacting with the subject. The
> street photographs that get the most accolades seem to be those in which
> the
> photographed subjects do not show awareness of the photographer. I always
> find that unsettling.
>
> Why is this? Is there some philosophical basis, or is it just habit?
>
> Brian
>
>
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Replies: Reply from mark at rabinergroup.com (Mark Rabiner) ([Leica] philosophy of street photography)
In reply to: Message from reid at mejac.palo-alto.ca.us (Brian Reid) ([Leica] philosophy of street photography)