Street Photography

An exploratory learning guide

http://arlingtonmuseum.org/exhibitions/vivian-maier-lost-and-found/

“It wasn’t a ‘eureka’ moment… Over time, she taught me that her work was good. I looked at her photos and learned about photography, how hard it is to take a good photograph.”

–John Maloof, in an interview with BBC on Vivan Maier

To Do

1. Vivian Maier emulation
2. Additional street photographer emulation (choose from the list below)
3. Your single best street photography photograph, along with a brief written explanation of what is going on and why it is your best image.
4. Key Readings: What Makes a Great Street Photograph & Zen in the Art of Street Photography
5. A written reflection. Incorporate what you’ve read and examples you’ve seen while looking at Vivian Maier’s work as well as other street photographers. You’ve also read a couple of articles on street photography and taken a number of street photographs yourself. Describe what you’ve learned about this particular type of photography. Here are some questions that could help direct your reflection:

• What would you say the “essence” of street photography is?
• What are some things unique to street photography that you have to consider while shooting?

Street Photographers

Eugene Atget and again, Eric Kim, Kevin Lu (’16), W. Eugene Smith, Lee Friedlander, Josef Koudelka, Lesley Ann Ercolano, Diane Arbus, Garry Winograd, Bruce Gilden, John Free

Additional Reading

Vivian Maier at the Chicago History Museum, BBC Documentary, Mary Poppins with a Camera. Interview with Henri Cartier-Bresson

Tips

3 As, a Scientific Approach, Zone Focusing, Make Yourself Invisible, Conquer Your Fear, 12 Easy Steps, Beginners Tips, Seeing, Being Invisible, 10 Tips, More Techniques

Know Your Rights and Know Your Rights