LondonStreet.Photography promotes and encourages inclusive street photography. Inclusive in who we are and inclusive of our approach to photography; in our choice of camera (or phone) and our approach to photographic technique, craft, style and artistic intent.
The following has been written by Peter Merry, your LondonStreet.photography tour guide and workshop leader, and gives an idea of his approach to street photography:
"Street photography is the basis of much great contemporary photographic art and it's great to be part of that by being adventurous and forward looking. I love to push boundaries but appreciate that we all share a photographic past which we can try to understand and build on. Like most street photographers I love candid street images, often regarded as classic street images; but I also enjoy taking and looking at street portraits, abstracts, street architecture and those little details that can be so interesting. Street photography can be a very wide and inclusive genre.
I enjoy experimentation and seeing where street photography can take me. It's a great way to become involved in photographic scene in London and it can entertain and help us engage with those we photograph, our fellow photographers and everyone we share our images with.
Although I love a nice camera, I am more interested in the images we make than the camera (or phone) you use and I am more likely to be found discussing a photographic exhibition than the latest camera release. But technical competence and technique are important elements of our craft and without them it's difficult to create the images we love.
In addition to single images I am a great enthusiast for project based photography, often overlooked by street photographers. Project based street photography can easily stray into documentary photography as both are very closely related but they usually have subtle differences and are often trying to say and to show different things. Photography projects allow us to have an idea and to follow it over time within our street photography. Capturing events and situations in a style which lends itself to bringing images together, showing a bigger picture.
But I also love a great single image that captures an instant of everyday street life with empathy and real interest.
Whatever your street photography interests, you will find LondonStreet.photography is encouraging, inquisitive and willing to help you enjoy and develop. We also hope you will enjoy getting involved and having a go." Peter
By getting together with other photographers we can feel more at home on the street; seeking advice and give help is rewarding for us all. LondonStreet.Photography run occasional free photo walks, plus paid custom workshops (for small groups of up to 8 people) and a tailored guide service. As a guide I love to help visitors explore, taking them to locations they are keen to visit, but also to suggest others that are often overlooked. Tailored guiding is all about what you want to do, at a time that suits your schedule, covering places and techniques that you want to include.
You may be told that 'street photography can only be candid shots of people', or that 'you can never take a picture from behind' a subject', or that 'you must never talk or interact with someone you want to photograph'. There is nothing wrong with anyone having these views about their street photography, but I like to see the world without too many restrictions and rules so don't encourage a restrictive approach to street photography.
I am a firm believer that we will all find our style of street photography and that it will most likely be built on help and advice from friends, other photographers, the internet, workshops and most importantly, our own experience, interest, practice and reflection.
Of course, listen to what others have to say, consider their ideas, share your own, be open to constructive discussion (without conflict) and take time to make up your own mind.
Be the street photographer you want to be!
Peter Merry
