David Rathbone
@david_rathbone_photo18 Jun
What makes a strong street photograph
There are many different genres and approaches within street photography, from candid observation and humour to documentary and abstract work. My question is what makes a strong street photograph? Personally, I’m drawn to layered images where multiple elements come together within the frame. More importantly, though, I like photographs that provoke a thought, raise a question, or suggest a story beyond what is immediately visible. For me, the strongest street photographs leave the viewer wondering what happened before or after the moment was captured. So what qualities do you look for in a successful street photograph? Love to hear from you
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Hey D. I don't care about colour, composition, or technical qualities. I just want to look at an image and feel something. My favourite image (of my own) is something most people would likely think is garbage, but it reminds me of a place, a time, a feeling from childhood.
I get what your saying an emotional connection particularly of our own photos places us in a time and a place, music gives me a similar feeling I can hear old songs and I can immediately place myself back in time and what was happening
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For me aesthetics are a big part of it (light, color, composition). The likes of Fred Herzog.
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Yes with Herzog colour you can’t go wrong, although is it ironic that his book Modern colour I am drawn in part to the nostalgia
It's hard to argue with aesthetics, but more-so I want to feel the humanity in the image. I like it best when I feel personality, emotion, atmosphere or just characterful human presence (the human doesn't necessarily need to still be present). You remove the humanity and you're left with a landscape.
Good point, I feel you need both, I sometimes will look at an image and think if one was missing would it still stand up
This is such a difficult thing, cause I mainly look for light, color and for a full frame that feels balanced.
But at the same time human moments and strangeness is really important and what would elevate the photo.
But to get all 5 requirements for me to actually consider it a great photo is like 90% about luck and timing and is basically my white whale.
Maybe a photo is like a good recipe you need a lot of ingredients, and sometimes a little extra seasoning makes it great
Either composition including using light for contrast/style, or a really good subject/moment. Either can work without the other and I see them as 2 different types of photo. Having both is where the bangers sit.
Very true, I seem to get more Mash than Bangers😂