Styles, approaches and Inspirational photographers to study
Street photography has a rich history and a vibrant contemporary scene, and there are many famous street photographers who have contributed to the genre through their unique styles and approaches.
These photographers have inspired and influenced generations of photographers, and their work continues to be relevant and inspiring today. Here are some examples of famous street photographers that I would recommend studying:
Henri Cartier-Bresson: HCB is considered one of the pioneers of street photography, and is known for his candid and spontaneous approach to capturing the “decisive moment.” HCB was an iconic photographer and also the founder of “Magnum photos”
( together with Robert Capa, George Rodger, David ‘Chim’ Seymour and William Vandivert in 1947) Cartier-Bresson’s work is often associated with the concept of the “photographer’s eye,” which refers to the ability to anticipate and capture the right moment and composition.
Robert Frank: Robert Frank is known for his documentary and reportage-style street photography, which often focuses on social and political issues. Frank’s work is characterized by its raw and honest style, and has had a significant influence on documentary and reportage photography.
Helen Levitt: Levitt was an American photographer known for her candid street photographs of New York City in the 1930s and 1940s. She was a master of capturing everyday moments and her photographs are characterized by their spontaneity and beauty.
William Klein: Klein is an American-born French photographer known for his innovative approach to street photography. He was one of the first photographers to use a wide-angle lens and his photographs are characterized by their dynamic compositions and very bold use of color.
Lee Friedlander: Friedlander is an American photographer known for his photographs of urban landscapes and the people who inhabit them. He was one of the first photographers to use reflections and shadows in his work, and his photographs are often described as witty and playful.
Garry Winogrand: Garry Winogrand is known for his candid and spontaneous approach to street photography, and his images often capture the humor and absurdity of everyday life. Winogrand’s work is characterized by its energy and spontaneity, and has had a significant influence on contemporary street photography.
Vivian Maier: Vivian Maier is known for her candid and spontaneous approach to street photography, and her images often capture the humanity and humor of everyday life. Maier’s work was largely unknown during her lifetime, but has gained significant recognition and popularity since her work was discovered and exhibited posthumously.
Bruce Gilden: Bruce Gilden is a contemporary street photographer known for his confrontational and in-your-face style. Gilden uses a flash to capture the faces of his subjects in close-up, and his images are often characterized by their intimacy, intensity, and honesty. Gilden’s images are often controversial and polarizing, and have influenced many street photographers to push the boundaries and challenge the norms of the genre.
Alex Webb: Alex Webb is an American photographer who is known for his colorful and expressive approach to street photography. Webb often uses layering and juxtaposition to create a sense of depth and complexity in his images, and is known for his ability to capture the mood and atmosphere of a place.
Daidō Moriyama: Daidō Moriyama is a Japanese photographer who is known for his raw and gritty approach to street photography. Moriyama often uses high contrast and grain to create a sense of unease and tension in his images, and is known for his ability to capture the chaos and energy of the city.
These are just a few examples of the many styles and approaches
