Number One Street Photography Rule!

May 9

Intention from the Chaos

Street photography can be anything—literally anything. There are few hard and fast rules in street photography; it is mostly just etiquette that people pick and choose to follow to suit their preferences. Trends take a close second, as we are all drawn to the attention that comes with popularity. The difference between a hobbyist and an artist is that the latter creates with the intention of pulling originals from the chaos of moments; the streets are.

What is Street Photography Etiquette?

Why etiquette and not a rule? Rules that are broken require discipline. This concept, thankfully, does not enter into the equation of art. My etiquette is simple: treat people and places the same, with or without a camera. Concepts like focal length, approach and subject matter are not considerations of etiquette but of creation. I see what I feel and look to create that each day.

Traditional etiquette offers a more precise, if less elegant, manner to practice street photography. These practices are well documented in countless books, blogs and podcasts. In practice, some are near perfect, others fall flat. Few hold up to every moment unfolding on the streets. I suggest that all read them, learn them and practice them. Find out which makes sense to you and continue to practice those. Allow the ones that do not apply to creation to fall by the wayside. Someone will come along and pick them up.

Will Following Trends Break the Rules?

Trends are like mountains; something special exists at the peak, and the rest emulate it in hopes of greatness. Some will succeed, like life; most fail. If you try your hand at the current social media trends, put your whole heart into it. Disregard the naysayers; you will succeed or fail based solely on your skill. This creates an opportunity to learn. Each picture style you know will aid in your mastery of the art form.

Yes, this will break the rules of some. Do it with intention, and your etiquette/artistry will grow. Break the rules you learn. Learn the rules you broke, break them again, learn again.

Hobbyist or Artist?

You already know the answer to this question. You also know the answer to the next question: How do I become a street photography artist? Figure out how to capture intention from chaos with your camera. See it happen in your mind before you press the button. Know what the LCD displays before you look at it. Do these things consistently, and you will know you are an artist and feel it. There will be no need to exclaim it, and no one needs to call you an artist; you are one.