Let’s be honest
What is street photography ?
Part One
MQ, Wien 2017
An access to public life
enables us Street photography.
Representing the present is still an important part of the historical documentation of today's life. It is up to everyone individual whether one wants to take pictures in a purely documentary and / or artistic manner. Photographs that have been left to us by previous generations enable us today a quick look into the world of yesterday. We get an idea of how public life looked back then.
Let’s be honest
The photos from "back then" are no longer easy to take today.
In our over-regulated world, pictures are often provided with extensive text that tells the viewer what to see or experience. If not, it is mostly a disclaimer for protection or justification. It would be really wonderful if our society were less critical towards honest, sensitive and respectful street photographers. It would also be nice if we didn't have to fear complaints when publishing and justify what we saw in a moment that we want to express in a picture.
Honest street photography is harmless
but not everyone sees it that way.
Street photography reflects society, and we humans are used to being surrounded by (cell phone) cameras all the time, but it seems that parts of our society have become even more cautious in times of social media.
Serious street photographers do not want to bother their fellow human beings, they act sensitively and are not even noticed. The empathy, the ability to empathize with the feelings and worldview of others play a big role in street photography.
Images and Text © Sascha van der Werf
