So called "street photography" is still going strong after its initial resurgence over a decade ago, in large part fueled by the concurrent analog revival. The ethos about punk music was that it was a return to rock basics and that you didn't even need to know how to play (an instrument) to do it. Technical and aesthetic expertise is not necessarily required in today's "street photography' either, just have a camera (preferably a Leica).
Forget that the genre has long been abandoned by the upper echelon of the photographic art world (do they still matter, do they still exist?)- it just seems to get more and more popular. Popular to the point where you now have various vloggers enthusiastically sharing their street photography journeys, while opining on their favorite techniques and approaches. And it's all good, except when, except when- they really don't have a clue. I learned years ago never to judge a photographer until you see their finished results, and in my latter years, I consider it wiser and more constructive not to go negative. But sometimes, when they do show their results, their 'successes-' and they're sadly anything but, technically and/or- aesthetically; well then, I think the kind thing to do is to uhhh... kinda let them know- constructively...
Recently, I encountered this one vlogger who I could tell was very earnest and enthusiastic about the medium, but honestly didn't-have-a-clue; so I decided to give a bit of advice, technical (concerning light leaks) and aesthetic, concerning the use of wide angles. Creatively, the issue was fairly obvious- they were too shy to get close enough to their subject to take advantage of what wide angles offer. Everything was in the background in so many of their shots.
It's a problem that plagues most wannabe street photographers, including myself; I'm an introvert, having grown up in NYC however, one learns early in life that you either stand up, or get swallowed up. One day I decided (when confronting a must take opportunity I was hesitating on)- was I photographer, or just someone with a camera on his shoulder; I knew what I had to do, and acted accordingly. But to this day, I still have my bouts of hesitancy- but enough about me... So I offered some basic, and (I thought) well needed advice:
Do you have a light proof changing bag to transfer the film from cannister to loader, loader to cassettes, cassette to film tank? Are your cassettes lightproof? Depending on the type, they can leak at the 'joints' where you disassemble them, or where the felt meets the film...
I love 28 and 20mm lenses; but sorry, even with the former- you're gonna have to get much closer to your subject... whatever it is! It's hard to tell because it gets lost with everything else in your photos. WA's are great to accentuate your subject, but to do that you must get closer to emphasize it, otherwise it-just-gets-lost. Right now, everything in your 'composition' is at equal distance (so Everything comes off as of equal importance)- no separation, no drama, no involvement. Your eye is not being led anywhere!?!? If you want the viewer to get involved... then you must do it first when creating your composition and show the way!
Perhaps get a friend or model, someone you're comfortable with, photograph with the 28 and get as close as you want from every conceivable angle- place them in the foreground (Close!) and see how you can separate them from the background in different environments, practice "layering" with separate things in the foreground, mid and background that all contribute to the story you're telling within the photograph. Then compare the shots you took when at ease with the model, to those you do 'on the street.' I'm betting you'll see a considerable difference- if ya don't, you're really gonna have to study the masters more to get a sense of how they do it. Check out how close Mark Cohen got to his subjects- and with a flash no less!
Also, try shooting from the hip, prefocused from right inside the crowds- study the results, you may find some clues and surprises. Right now, your shyness is preventing your success- it's keeping you at arm's length (make that mile's length) from your subject... there's another good practice shoot- don't shoot anyone unless they are within a literal arm's length!!! That pretty good advice for shooting WA on the street- period! You can do it but you're gonna have to conquer your fear, it won't happen overnight- but it won't happen at all unless you seriously resolve to do it!
I didn't get any response, so it was probably not well received. It was only then that I noticed- same said person was offering their very own "street photography" course- for a nominal fee! Yeah.
Addendum: Got a reply and a love today, didn't totally agree with my assessment(s), but agreed there was some validity to what I said... fair enough.
