Why street photography?

[Virgil DiBiase]

Would really like to get to know all of you so this may be a good question for us.

 

I've been making photos since childhood but have not included people until a couple years ago. And I'm 47! This desire to do street came about quite subconsciously...and has been strongly psychological for me. I think it reflects a shift within me to desire more openness and intimacy with others, and to immerse myself with life in general.  I tend to engage people when I shoot, even if only very briefly, and I have learned a great deal about myself in the process. So this really becomes a form of self exploration....while in the meantime I'm making brief, but honest relationships on the street. And the resultant images become self portraits in a sense.

 

I chose to work with Bruce Gilden because I find his images emotionally and psychologically quite charged. Very potent reflections of who we all are.  I'm really most interested in getting to know him as an individual..and to learn how he has come to create such compelling images.

 

Last fall I did my first and only photo workshop in NYC with David Turnley.  A wonderful experience that still lingers for me. I learned that the participants involvement with each other is largely what makes these experiences successful. So I look forward to meeting you and to developing new friendships.

[Fiona Rogers]

Hi Virgil,

 

Thanks for starting this post - a very interesting debate.  Street photography is receiving such a lot of attention at the moment and it feels as though this genre has moved from the underground to the mainstream.  I can't pinpoint why or how, but it is great news for anyone who is a fan of candid photography.  If you are not yet familiar with them, take a look at the In-Public photographers run by Nick Turpin.

 

Looking forward to meeting you all.

Fiona

[Renze Rispens]

I don't know exactly why I'm attracted to street photography, but it's one of the few genres of photography that I actually find interesting. I can walk up and down the same street for years and still come home with different material.. trying to push myself to get a shot, it's exciting stuff.

Landscape, architecture, product photography, that stuff bores me. People being people, faces (I do enjoy taking portraits), that's what I find interesting.

To be honest, it's an interesting discussion, but it's not really something I've spent much time on contemplating.. it sort of just happened  :)