Streetwalker Street Photography by Steven Green

There is just something about street photography that gets the adrenaline flowing. When done right, it is an unadulterated slice of reality. There is a guilty pleasure in exposing everyday life, but the results when you get caught can also be pretty interesting. Street photography is contextual, but not necessarily objective.

Objectivity is not necessarily an attribute of street photography. Changing the crop completely changes the perception of the subject in the opening image of this essay.
Street and Drive-by Photography

Irony

A common theme of street photography (what makes it interesting I suppose) is the discovery of a subject or composition that creates a sense of irony or humor in the image.

Sidewalk Style, taken in Washington DC struck me as interesting because of the attire of the cigar smoking gentleman in combination with the visible section of the newspaper he was reading at the time I walked by.

There is plenty of irony in the world; you just have to look for it.

Elvis has left the building.

Gifted, Grateful, Guaranteed...and homeless.

Street photography is voyeuristic, peeking into the everyday lives of people to explore the human condition.

Midnight Produce Shoppers (Las Vegas)

Public Nap (El Paso)

Fanning the Sex Kittens (Las Vegas)

Lunch with Santa (Washington, DC)

Naturally, the golden rule of street photography is to not get caught by the subject of your composition. Inevitably, this is bound to happen so sometimes it is just good to go with it and see what you get (without getting killed of course).

Vietnam Vet fist pump (El Paso)

Four on a bike (Kabul, Afghanistan)

Beggar girl at window (Kabul, Afghanistan)

Lonely Traveler (Khyber Pass, Afghanistan)

Truth be told, I could never be a paparazzi. I am not a big fan of getting up close and into the faces of strangers. I know how much I prefer my own personal space, and try as much as possible to grant others theirs. Still, there are those moments that are just asking to be captured. Whatever reservation or guilt I may feel leading up to the taking of the image quickly erodes once I have taken the photo and survived without being assaulted. I rarely go back for a second bite of the apple when it comes to people on the street, and the moment is usually lost anyway.

Playlist (Washington, DC)

Images Copyright Steven R. Green. All rights reserved.

Created By
Steven Green
Appreciate
Images Copyright Steven R. Green. All rights reserved.

Made with Adobe Slate

Make your words and images move.

Get Slate

Report Abuse

If you feel that this video content violates the Adobe Terms of Use, you may report this content by filling out this quick form.

To report a Copyright Violation, please follow Section 17 in the Terms of Use.