Let’s be honest: the future of street photography feels uncertain. On one side there are a lot of insanely talented photographers out there. People really obsessive, with a particular style and vision. I don’t want to talk about them neither interested in listing their names in this article, maybe in the future I’ll write something about that. But aside those few excellent street photographers there is nothing! Opening Instagram I see a mess of photo contests (all over the world), overpriced workshops and a lot of branded content.
I open my Instagram each days and what I see it’s many photographers loading film into their analogue cameras. Yes, everyone’s shooting film now (including me) and I’m happy about that. Every type of film, in every kind of camera. But what I don’t like It’s the social aspect: It’s becoming a kind of performance with gestures, tools, soundtrack; It’s more about aesthetic, less about photography. People is more interesting in showing you what they use to shoot, how, when; but the result (pictures) sucks most of the time.
Where’s the problem?
Street photography is losing its focus. At its core, it has always been about emotion, story, human presence (ok, that’s my personal opinion), the unexpected poetry and beauty in the everyday. But actually I see endless photos of people walking, using their smartphones, maybe talking, bathed in dramatic and contrasted lights and shadows. Sometimes even technically fine, sure. But meaningful? Rarely.
It feels like the heart is disappearing. No one cares about human emotions. Now what people cares is to show how to load film, and which vintage camera use. What is the point? Street photography is becoming meaningless, something about influencers and social media experience.
Which camera do you use?
Another really big issue is branding. I understand doing it for money, it’s ok for me, it’s business, absolutely. But if you’re not getting paid, what’s the sense of showing continuously which camera you use. Why should it matter if you’re shooting with a Ricoh, a Fuji (not a fan, personally), or a Leica that costs more than a month’s rent?
One or two stories/posts about your camera? Ok it’s fine, nice. But talking continously about your gear where does it lead us? We’re shifting more attention to equipment than to our own vision. We’re prioritizing the lens over the eye. The camera over the heart. That is a really big issue. Street photography deserves more than that. It deserves honesty, intention, and emotion. Stop chasing appereances please, let’s make some real art, let’s improve the world with our photography.
Finally, Street photography publications and contest
And then we have a loto of exhibitions, zines, photobooks, but above all, the contests which can be a great way to discover new photographers. They can shine a light on photographers we might never have heard of otherwise. That part is true and is the good aspect. But as usual something goes wrong; there are too many contests, all around the world. Furthermore people are essentially interested in rewards/prizes, so we keep seeing the same kinds of photos winning over and over again. The overall quality? Honestly, it’s getting weaker.
But the real problem is that contests can mess with your head, especially if you don’t have yet a strong and personal vision in your street photography. They can trick you into thinking that winning/selected pictures are the good standard. You could doubting your own in such way. “Why do they select expecially silouettes images? (that’s an example, of course)”. So the real danger is that you might change your street photography because your works are not selected, never.
My advice? Stay away from contests if your vision isn’t solid yet. Protect your process. Stick to what moves you, not what wins prizes. I say this from my personal experience. Many years ago, I fell into that same trap. It’s easy to get caught up in it. You start creating work to please ajudges panel, not to express something real, or something about your inner voice.
Street photography is art, is something about us, about souls, about human being. It’s not another performance on the web.
That’s all folks
Stay well, have always light in your life
Best, F.S.
Here is the link to my personal best pictures: street photography gallery
Read more about street photography, art, cinema
Leave a Reply