The first thing a 'street photographer' must do is to walk into the street. Taking a camera with them is mandatory.
Most of you know the history behind this phenomenon and the people responsible for its popularity and evolution.
Evolution is the key word here. Sure, we copy and emulate but how many of us venture into new expression when we enter the streets?
As Herbie Hancock says: " copying me is going to take you further away from you expressing yourself.
The difference between Adget, Levett and Parr is a world and an era or two apart but they were labelled Street Photographers of their time. In spite of each taking their own path to expression, they have one thing in common; the found the streets where they lived places of endless fascination and uniqueness and they chose to record that with photography.
Many of these photographers didn't label themselves. They were labelled by others, often retrospectively. The term was devised to describe a genre. It wasn't an external definition for which those who pursued the genre must adhere. It was a loosely bound, commonly used term to separate style and subject matter so that critics could discuss their work and separate the artisans from the traditional genres of portrait, landscape, etc.
Here at OPF there are many fine examples of the genre. They vary in their approach in line with the creativity of the individual.
Personally, I can only admire the efforts. I would not enter into the minefield of challenging technique of subject matter. Nor would I think of copying a method or approach. I have my favourites here and elsewhere.
My approach is definitely for the faint hearted or ethical among us.
Small camera (because I can no longer carry larger cameras and lenses), often an ipod, one lens, often wide angle to normal focal length. It must fit into my manbag.
Be an observer. Do not interfere with the scene. Do not speak to people, do not eyeball them.
Stay within the legal limits. Apologise for nothing, take everything with grace and persistence.
Walk away from discussions, arguments, dogs and children who point and call their mother.
The street is the canvas of living onto which others paint. I am less interested in the individual than in the happenstance.
Of all the places I have photographed, the street is where I am most comfortable.