Street Photography - The Classics

This is a very brief tour of a few classic street photographers showing some of my favorite images. Study each image carefully. It's quite a learning experience to pick up the nuances from photographer to photographer. Each has an amazing style of their own honed from years of experience, trial and error and practice.


Elliott Erwitt (b. 1928)

Jacques Henri Lartigue (1894–1986)

Roger Mayne (b. 1929)

Bill Brandt (1904–1983)

Henri Cartier-Bresson (1908–2004)

Helen Levitt (1913–2009)

Walker Evans (1903–1975)

Weegee (1899–1968)

Lisette Model (1901–1983)

Robert Frank (b. 1924)

Joel Meyerowitz (b. 1938)

Harry Callahan (1912–1999)

Jeff Mermelstein (b. 1957)

Bruce Gilden (b. 1946)

Nick Turpin (b. 1969)

Image source: http://www.wikipedia.org

Be a classic too! Please leave any type street photography image, candid or portrait, in your comment box. Open your comment box, click the + sign in lower left corner, upload photo. Click on photo thumbnail to view larger size.


Who's your favorite street photographer? Let us know when you leave your comment.


Recommended reading:

The Controversy of Street Photography

After my first post on street photography, Takin’ It To The Streets, I received emails asking what I thought of the ethics of photographing someone without their permission. And not just taking candid street photos but publishing those photos in blogs without authorization. This is an excellent and controversial question.

First, an explanation of candid vs. portrait street photography:

Candid street photography means snapping a photo and not asking permission beforehand. Portrait street photography means asking before snapping the image. 

Candid street photography is an instant in time documenting a person and their surroundings. The person may or may not be aware of the camera. 

In the above black and white photo the couple didn't notice me walk by and click off a shot of them. 

Portrait street photography changes the dynamic of the photo. The person poses for the camera in his or her surroundings.

In the above colored image I approached the subjects and asked permission to take their photo.

Now we come to the ethics of candid street photography.


Ethics is in the eye of the beholder. If you take images which you feel are exploiting people you are unethical. You, as the photographer, are the final person in determining what is and what isn’t exploitive. 


There are many top street photographers who get right into peoples’ faces but don’t feel they are being exploitive. Joel Meyerowitz is one such photographer. Take a look at one of his videos. 

If your intent is to document people, candid street photography isn’t exploitive. Taken tastefully every photo is unique, it captures a moment in time. If taken right, you can see the emotions and mystery of the moment.

If I plan on using an image on my blog which shows a close-up of someone’s face, I generally approach the person and start a friendly conversation after I have taken the shot. I hand them one of my photography business cards. I offer to email a copy of the photo(s) to them at no cost.

Using my camera’s picture review mode I show them the photo I took of them while explaining I’m a photographer and blogger. I have found that people are very flattered that I think they are interesting enough to have taken their photo. I have never, in 20 years of street photography, had anyone get angry when I've approached them with this technique. 


Do I always do this? No. It's not always practical. Or I may be in a busy area where I don't want to miss a shot.

Check the legality of street photography in your area. The laws vary dramatically.

Street photography recommended reading:

Takin' It To The Streets

I’m talking street photography, also known as photojournalism or candid street shots. 

New Socks

Street photography is considered a form of documentary photography. It features subjects in candid situations in public places like streets, parks, political conventions, cities and other settings. 

Thank you kk for use of your photo

United Nations Climate Change Conference - COP15 - Copenhagen, Denmark

Thank you kk for use of your photo

United Nations Climate Change Conference - COP15 - Copenhagen, Denmark

Thank you kk for use of your photo

United Nations Climate Change Conference - COP15 - Copenhagen, Denmark

Street photography shows a single human moment, caught in a specific or touching way. It can also show a very personal image of the subject matter, giving the viewer a more factual experience of walks of life they might only be vaguely familiar with. 

I love street photography and capturing a spontaneous moment in time.

There’s lots of discussion and argument on just how to accomplish dynamic street images. Discussions include the type of camera and lens to use and whether or not to ask permission of the subject to snap his or her image. Asking permission takes you out of the realm of candid however.

Here are some thoughts by various street photographers about camera types to use. Experiment and chose which work best for you. 

Some street photographers prefer a small Point and Shoot camera with the lens fully extended. A Point and Shoot is small and less noticeable than a dSLR.

iPhones have become popular for street photography and are less obtrusive than a Point and Shoot or large dSLR camera.

Some suggest using a dSLR camera and a wide angle lens. The wide angle lens is small and not intimidating. A wide angle lens lets you capture more of the subject and their surroundings giving you an environmental portrait.

The most popular lens and camera combo is a dSLR with a 50mm prime lens. With a prime lens you must get close to your subject for focusing.

And of course there’s always reason to use a dSLR and zoom lens. With a zoom lens you can stand back from the subject and capture the action from a safe distance.

My next several posts will include more tips on street photography. 

Next week I will summarize my 6 posts on photographic composition. I have several guest photographers submitting photos. If you'd like to join in, below are the links to review, then email your photos to me at mariwilbur@gmail.com. You will get a photo credit and a link to your blog. Let's have some fun!

Composition: Leading Lines
Composition: Frame Your Subject
Composition - Cropping
Composition: Rule of Thirds

Composing: Backgrounds and Elements
Composition: Capturing a Satisfying Image - guest post by Matt Considine

Recommended reading on street photography: