I have enjoyed the big monster of a book that is Reclaim The Street.
This is the only image of or from the book for copy-rite adherence. The rest of the images are my own because I can show them without fear.
It has done nothing to re-define my thinking or definition of Street photography, because many of the contributors highlight their own struggles with this.
Street photography can mean many things to different people, so by definition, it defies clear definition.
The thing I have liked about this books handling of this difficult subject is it has not taken a side, it has showcased a wide variety of practitioners and allowed them their voice. Many of these voices are themselves dissenting opinions to the common definitions.
The thing to keep in mind of course is this is a showcase of their best or favourite work, drawn in some cases from decades of honing their craft.
From my own perspective I have discovered several new and inspiring shooters, had my eyes opened to new techniques and found some small validation for my own work. I see much that is better, but I am in the same ball park philosophically and even sometimes technically, so yes, we can all get there if we persevere, I just have to persevere.
“Don’t Stop”. Yellow is such a strong anchor.
The artists, a personal take based only on initial impressions.
Shin Noguchi.
Coincidence, irony and layering, from, and of, an awareness of the native shyness of the Japanese. He is brave and old school, shooting film from eye level and never to a set theme, until one emerges naturally. His is the cover image, which I like the most.
Tavepong Pratoomwong.
A question asking coincidence and depth manipulating shooter. I am guessing he shoots a lot at very small apertures and is very patient (but aren’t they all). My favourite is “Dream Beach”.
Melissa O’Shaughnessy.
A good exponent of strong light and theatrical staging a little like Jan Meissner another favourite, she uses very normal subjects, looking for interactions with each other and light. “Doyers Street, New York” is my pick.
An image of the same type.
Dan Szpara (Portfolio; Extreme caution)
This one struck me as a personal project undiscovered. I have tons of images of cones, but have never thought to collate them. Once discoverred, they are abundant and photogenic. Hard to pick a favourite as they are en-mass and uncaptioned, relying on their quantity for strength.
One of my loose project on street corners in Japan.
Rammy Narula.
A master of negative space, contrast and colour. These are strong to my eye and it is hard to say which I like most. Probably the Monk from the Platform 10 series, but I like them all.
Not sure what platform.
Eleonore Simon.
A home shooter, creatively a mix of M.C Escher and early black and white shooters like Saul Leiter, Ernst Haas or David Vestal, she is clever and timeless. Cerro Conception Valaparaiso is my mind bending favourite.
Nayeem Siddiquee.
A Bangladeshi photographer, which is a rare and precious commodity, Nayeem goes into the places many go, but as a peer, not a visitor. Being close to adversity and poverty, as well as personal illness has not stopped him from experimenting and leading the emerging Bangladeshi street scene. My favourite is “Summer, Noakhali”, a shot of a goat eating a mellon with a slightly sinister blood-like vibe.