The Art of Street Photography

Henri Cartier-Bresson was influenced by Zen Buddhism and incorporated the lessons it taught him into his art practice. In fact, Zen and the Street Photography have much in common.  Here is a link to Eric Kim's lovely essay on Zen and the Art of Street Photography. http://erickimphotography.com/blog/2013/05/20/zen-in-the-art-of-street-photography/  I found it incredibly beneficial and hope it will help you overcome some of the discomfort of photographing in public places. 

Rini Ruiz   

Introductions

What a pleasure meeting all of you yesterday afternoon. I am excited to be working with you and looking forward to seeing your images on this blog. Check in frequently, as I will try to update on a daily basis.

Yesterday we saw a lot of work by Street Photographers of old.  Many of them have inspired me and continue to inform my own work.  The lessons we learn from their images and their practice are invaluable. Below is a short list of additional materials for each photographer, with biographical information, galleries of images, list of publications and interviews.

 Eugene Atget (1857-1927)

http://www.atgetphotography.com/The-Photographers/Eugene-Atget.html

Jacque Henri Lartigue (1894-1986)

"Photography to me is catching a moment which is passing, and which is true."

A four part documentary about Lartigue's life and his photography:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=By5zjQQ4VzY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1C_hcv7kbw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5dnqaPfKyU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BS7qP5FOypQ



Henri Cartier Bresson (1908-2004)
"To take photographs means to recognize — simultaneously and within a fraction of a second - both the fact itself and the rigorous organization of visually perceived forms that give it meaning. It is putting one‘s head, one‘s eye and one‘s heart on the same axis."





An interview with Henri Cartier Bresson from 2003:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1318621

A terrific blog dedicated to Street Photography by Eric Kim, 10 Lesson of Cartier Bresson:
http://erickimphotography.com/blog/2011/08/22/10-things-henri-cartier-bresson-can-teach-you-about-street-photography/

Luminous Lint is a great database of Master Photographers, filled with biographical information, publications, quotes, and images:
http://www.luminous-lint.com/app/photographer/Henri__Cartier-Bresson/A/



Andre Kertesz (1894-1985)
"The camera is my tool. Through it I give a reason to everything around me."

A beautiful Portfolio of Kertesz' work:
http://www.photography-now.net/andre_kertesz/

http://www.atgetphotography.com/The-Photographers/Andre-Kertesz.html



Helen Levitt (1913-2009)
"Since I'm inarticulate, I express myself through images."

A wonderful article about Levitt's life and her career:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/30/arts/design/30levitt.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

A gallery of Helen Levitt's work:
http://www.luminous-lint.com/app/photographer/Helen__Levitt/C/

An Helen Levitt film In The Street, 1948   
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyBEWD3M5r4



Robert Frank (1924-)
"There is one thing the photograph must contain, the humanity of the moment."

A great All Things Considered story on Robert Frank's The Americans
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=100688154

A really in depth analysis of Frank's work and techniques.
http://erickimphotography.com/blog/2013/01/07/timeless-lessons-street-photographers-can-learn-from-robert-franks-the-americans/



William Klein (1928-)
"I used the wide-angle lens as a normal lens. I had no philosophy about it. When I looked in the viewfinder and realized I could see all the contradictions and confusion that was there with the wide-angle—that was what was great. "

Eric Kim's 10 Lessons of William Klein, a fantastic essay about Klein's work.
http://erickimphotography.com/blog/2013/03/26/10-lessons-william-klein-has-taught-me-about-street-photography/

An interview with William Klein.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q75HuLN9FjA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7g9IksGqiUM