It would appear to be that time of year again, when Street Photography gets its annual mauling , on this occasion I'm not going to wade in and deliver another kicking to our beleaguered art form as the fictitious Street photography "community" appears to be doing a fine job of self destruction with its communal delusions of avarice and grandeur .
Michael Sweet says he's no longer a Street Photographer , that's a shame because I always enjoyed reading his ramblings but I have to be honest and confess that his pictures do not occupy a large space in my memory ! I wish him well as his overview of all things SP always struck me as honest and accurate even if his views were delivered without sugar coating..
The only way to survive this Street Photography shenanigans is to maintain realistic expectations and be motivated only by the thrill of creating and sharing your Street photographs . The day you cease to be thrilled by a successful capture , . . . STOP !
Street Photography becomes more difficult for me each year as I become more selective of the images and ideas I pursue , my photography is created by me for me which is just as well as I'm (like most Street Photographers) not being killed in the rush by those wanting to own and purchase my best efforts.
The desire to create "Street" images ebbs and flows with me , I know I must work when I'm "feeling" it and have also learned that pushing against the tide of low mojo rarely delivers .The challenge of this Art form is to develop your own ethos, approach and visual manifesto that not only creates the photographs you crave but enriches you as a person and a photographer.
The personal development is infinitely more important than the photographic growth.
In my opinion the Street Photography journey is one that is best undertaken alone although that's not to say that fellow travelers should not be embraced along the way as these folk will add value to your journey, beware of those pilgrims that demand payment from you along the way as they maybe selling you no more than your own creativity, one shot at a time ?
You do not need permission to create , get out there with your camera and discover who you are, prepare to fail and prepare to learn. Shoot more and post less !
Remember the pictures are the prizes !
Keep it real !
