street life

Left - Xanthe in London ~ Right - Irene in Paris

Street photography has been reignited in my heart lately. A new project London Vs Paris, with fellow shutter sister Irene Nam has sparked this love again. We are on a photographic treasure hunt around our cities, looking out for ordinary things, then sharing & comparing what we’ve found here.

This project has taken me out in my city, London, focusing on subjects, that are different from the portrait work and friendly faces I’m used too. It’s really opened my eyes to my surroundings again. I love noticing new subjects, thinking about the composition and telling a story.

I was at a London street photography exhibition recently. It’s fascinating looking at my city through the ages, seeing how other people view their communities and seeing what draws the observer to photograph that moment. The street photographer on everyone’s lips at the moment is Vivian Maier, and I’m super excited her body of work is coming here in July.

A street scene can capture light, a mood, and details. Have you tried street photography? What do you see when you’re out and about?  Please share your surroundings with us today.



Comments

[Jennifée]

Love that new blog of yours!

I'm not yet past that stage where I feel awkward and shy when I raise my camera outside in the streets, but getting a cellphone with a decent camera has helped a lot:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/85057042@N00/5515462388/

[Marcie]

Here's a rather unusual suburban 'street' scene:
http://marciescudderstudios.squarespace.com/home/2011/3/7/on-your-mark-get-set-go.html
And - I love that you're doing this London/Paris project. What fun!!!

[mary]

i would love to try my hand at this. i'm just never out and about in the city. i may have to make a special trip now. :)

[Sage]

I snapped this one while walking around Rome: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sageandsimple/5515798178/

I love the earthiness of the gold, the retro vibe of the a/c units, the streetlight, shutters, and the roof sign, but the curtains blowing out of the window are what sealed the deal for me. It's one of my favorite shots from that trip!

[beth]

during our month in florida, this was my favorite street scene....


http://www.flickr.com/photos/29291473@N04/5516848271/

[Kiersten]

I love roaming city streets and capturing the bustle....here are a few I took while living in Calgary..others in Hollywood, California

http://www.flickr.com/photos/darkangel71/4908318859/in/set-72157624638505671/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/darkangel71/4908914028/in/set-72157624638505671/

Hollywood... http://www.flickr.com/photos/darkangel71/5299422380/in/set-72157624977913722/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/darkangel71/5432219770/in/set-72157624977913722/

[Susan]

That sounds like a really fun project between the two cities! I've been trying lately to get easier with taking shots of people, this is one of my recent favorites and says alot about our town!


http://s1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff488/SusanMarie1/?action=view&current=freehugs.jpg

[C Blore]

Today's mention of Vivian Maier put a huge smile on my face. The blog of her work is the first place I head when I get on the computer every morning! I've been following for months now (I fell in love with her work instantly) and I feel that it motivated me to try and see things through different eyes.

My street photography will never be as great as hers, but I will keep trying. I'm still too shy to get right up into peoples faces with my camera but eventually...who knows!

These 2 shots were ones that I took thinking of some of her work...no where near as good as hers, but inspired by none the less

http://winnipegweddingphotographybycoral.blogspot.com/2011/03/on-deck.html

http://winnipegweddingphotographybycoral.blogspot.com/2011/02/day-31.html

[Brenda]

I too love following your new blog - comparing London and Paris. What an awesome combination!

I am currently taking an Advanced Digital Photography course. As part of our studies, we had to choose two themes. Both of mine have to do with "the street" - Urban Abstracts and Street Art (my wierd habit of photographing things that I find on the street.)

Here are some examples:

http://www.gottgraphicsdesign.com/2011/02/15/street-art/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gottgraphicsdesign/5490028136/
http://www.gottgraphicsdesign.com/2011/03/04/blue-skies-gray-skies/

Thanks for sharing with us today - keep those comparisons coming.

[Linda Binder]

I too am inspired by Vivian Maier. I don't know what it is, but I get very excited every time a new photo is posted to her blog. Anyone interested in her should visit the Chicago Cultural Center where her work is currently being displayed. It is free too.

Here are a couple of my own versions of street photography from a recent visit downtown Chicago (go to last pics in this post):


http://linda-binder.blogspot.com/2011_02_01_archive.html

[damiec]

Your collaborations are really delightful. I look forward to seeing them pop up in flickr.

I have been falling deeply, madly in love with street photography recently. I think it comes from the challenge, the thrill and the serendipity involved in getting a good shot. It's such a different experience than shooting inanimate objects or my friends and family.

These are from our local Mardi Gras parade:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22487105@N06/5511306590/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22487105@N06/5512422821/in/photostream/

[Morgen]

I just started following your blog last week. What a wonderful idea :)

Your post reminded me that I have a bunch of pictures from my trip to New York last fall that I have yet to go through. Thank you for the reminder! I wandered the streets while my husband was in meetings. Here is one:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bearsefamily/5517693198/lightbox/

[Stephanie]

Street Photography is perhaps one of my favorite forms of photography! It's such a fascinating way to truly see a community.

You never know what hidden talent you might find: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephaniecourt/4910829486/in/set-72157624767617908/

What kind of culture: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephaniecourt/4864103983/in/photostream/

Or pop of color: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephaniecourt/4864101907/in/photostream/

Or just general fun!! http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephaniecourt/4796607355/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephaniecourt/4803932584/in/photostream/

[jamiesolorio]

I went out last month and took some night shots: http://jamie-solorio.blogspot.com/2011/02/shooting-some-street-scenes-in-redding.html

Here is another: http://www.flickr.com/photos/49026977@N05/5515608805/

And another: http://www.flickr.com/photos/49026977@N05/5515608761/

[s.b.Lyngo]

I love the idea of two cities and street photography. I have a friend who started a similar project in Brooklyn. I am swirling in a studio haze. Right now, the only surroundings I know! I am not sure if this is a lol or col (cry out loud) situation.
Anyway here's a glimpse! http://somethingblu.wordpress.com/2011/03/11/studio-friday-specimens-a-new-name/

[Sophie]

Wow, thanks for doing and sharing this! I will follow the blog for sure. I think it's a wonderful project! Plus, so far, the photos are great!
Thanks again!

[mosey]

I'm so incredibly inspired by Vivian Maier, and the story of how her images were found. I would be overjoyed if I take photos anywhere close to the quality of what she captured in her lifetime.
My most recent foray into San Francisco on a rainy day, I captured a small series of street shots. Here's one:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/a-la-mosey/5459395456/

[art and lemons]

I love this project and can't wait to watch it unfold, especially between London and Paris!

Street photography is a long-time fascination of mine. I was recently photographing the streets of New York City with my Diana camera. Here's a link to some of the photographs I made.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/artandlemons/5517967876/in/set-72157626119436379/

also here's a link to the set with a few more images of NYC streets: http://www.flickr.com/photos/artandlemons/sets/72157626119436379/

[autumn sun]

streetside details that i enjoy
http://www.flickr.com/photos/autumnsun/5016142913/in/set-72157625363164288/

[Jade]

I am so in love with what the two of you are doing! I always focus so much on portraiture that I forget to look at the beauty surrounding me. I'm going into my city and tI'm going to photograph EVERYTHING!

[Kat]

I love, love, love street photography! I love how broad the definition is. It can be anything at all, on the street. There is definitely something unique about European city streets. It's like the streets are the living room of the city dwellers. There is an energy that is not present in the US, where everyone goes home to their houses as soon as possible.

Here's a favorite image I captured recently in Madrid: http://www.kateyeview.com/2011/01/scene-from-city.html

[Corinna]

This is my favorite street scene that I've shot in the last few months. I love it when a story comes together in one frame:
http://www.birdwannawhistle.com/blog/2010/10/26/look-up.html

[Abby O.]

I had just gotten a new trash cam and happen to be able to use it while waiting for a client in our city market. These two little girls were dancing and it was adorable. I managed to snap a photo before their mother gave me a creepy look.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bigfoot-creative/4664580963/

I'm totally jealous that you get to go see Vivian Maier. I've been LUSTING for months at a chance to go see her work.

[Ashlotte]

Oh these are great!!!

I love street photography. I don't live in a large city though, so the last time I tried my hand at it was when I was in Japan:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/56692126@N03/5261290283/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/56692126@N03/5261290451/

This post has inspired me to try some around town tomorrow anyway though!

[Christine]

This is one i took on holidays in January.

Crazy intersection in the Phillippines.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/miscy-a/5519599342/

@Jennifée : I find that I'm comfortable taking photographs of street life while I'm on holiday, but I feel self conscious when I'm in my home city.... why is that??

[suzie]

I took this with expired film at a funfair in Carcassonne, loved the old boy's cigarette!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ascatteredbrain/5411052900/in/set-72157625896849834/

[snippets of thyme]

I LOVE street photography. I am way too interested in watching people. I could get lost watching and wondering about people a few tables over. While in Yvoire, France, these 3 woman captivated my attention. I couldn't get my eyes off of following them. Everyone was bustling but they were just sweetly shuffling along...
http://rileymadel.blogspot.com/2011/02/shades-of-grey.html

[anghjula]

I just love the idea of this blog, as I love street life photos. So here is my last one :

http://www.blog.chjaraematteu.com/?p=996

[Kristina]

I love street photography, here is some work:

Bern:
http://le-fabuleux-destin-de.blogspot.com/2011/02/home-sweet-home-more-of-bern.html

Paris:
http://le-fabuleux-destin-de.blogspot.com/2011/01/paris-wanderings-1.html

and Vientine, Laos
http://le-fabuleux-destin-de.blogspot.com/2010/11/foto-focus-vientiane.html

[CarmNSandiego]

Thanks for linking to my photo ("street fruit")! I am a huge fan of Irene Nam, and it is very cool to be a part of a post featuring her work. Street photography is probably my favorite subject. Like others have mentioned, I love watching people's interactions with each other. The London v. Paris project sounds awesome--looking forward to following it.