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50 Times People Captured Perfect Street Scenes And Had To Share It In This Online Group
Interview With Expert
Japanese photographer Daido Moriyama once described street photography as capturing the alien and the unknown. A photographer goes out to the city streets, out of their comfort zone, and shows us different experiences, different people a different world.
The Street Photogprahy subreddit is a place where enthusiasts of this art form can come together and share their work, discuss technique, gear, or their philosophy behind shooting street. At least, that's what their bio states. "Photos in the streets, freaks in the sheets" is how they describe themselves. So, here we have a collection of the most captivating moments shared in the group for you to lose yourself into.
Bored Panda reached out to photographer James Maher to chat about street photography. He kindly agreed to tell us what makes street photography different from other genres of photography, how to shoot street without disrupting the moment, and what's the future for the art form now that we're all armed with tiny cameras in our pockets constantly. Read our conversation with him below!
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#1
I Was Lucky Enough To Get The Perfect Reflection Line Up For This Shot After A Rainfall
Elladine DesIsles 1 year ago
I've always thought this facade oddly unassuming, given the stunning theatres inside, but this perfect shot does it justice. It's not necessarily on the typical tourist agenda, but I'd certainly recommend a tour or a show here (or both) to thise visiting Toronto.
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#2
Morning In Himalayas
#3
On The Way, Cairo
Notme 1 year ago (edited)
It is beautiful, but the way the bread hangs over the edge of the tray, the strange angle of her foot, the weird way her eyes look, the too-perfect lighting, make me think there’s some AI involved.
PeepPeep the duck 1 year ago
Maybe but the bread (Aish Baladi) does sit weirdly cos it’s so fluffy and puffy and mmmmmm, they make me imagine that they are Salvador Dalis preferred bread when he was alive 😂
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Julia Mckinney 1 year ago
I love the way the sun shining on the bread is reflected onto her face.
Cowgirl (yee/haw) 1 year ago
This looks like Poori! (An Indian dish made from Dough that has been oil fried, and as a result, poofed)
James Maher is a New York-based art and documentary photographer, historian, guide, writer, and educator who dabbles in studio photography. James has 20 years of experience behind the camera and agreed to share some of his expertise in street photography with us.
As a genre, street photography is full of contradictions. "[It's] both a massively accessible and extremely difficult genre," James explains. "It mixes documentary and poetry, searching your surroundings while looking for moments and ideas that pertain to you."'
"The best street photographers bleed their personalities into their photographs over the long run," James adds. "It may seem like a genre of disparate images, and it often is when photographers first start out, but over time the work congeals to have cohesive meaning."
#4
Snowy Night In Sapporo, Northern Japan
Ray LeBlanc 1 year ago
It's too bad they haven't learned about underground wires. Those thousands of criss-crossing wires ruin the whole view in the daytime.
Amelia Jade 1 year ago
I lived in Northern Japan for a decade. As soon as I saw this my stomach hurt from a feeling much like home sickness.
#5
Once Upon A Time In Newcastle
Phil Cookson 1 year ago
It looks like, perhaps, the 1920's, then the tin-foil balloons spoil it!
Mason Kronol 1 year ago
It was extremely foggy in NYC when my husband and I were supposed to go up in the Empire State Building so he didn’t want to since we couldn’t see anything. I thought it would have been an ideal photo op. 6 years later he’s mad he didn’t listen to me and go up.Always take that chance, you might never get another and it might be even more memorable.
Gwynne Greene 1 year ago
Love this !! I live in the northern parts of England too !! Newcastle is just beautiful 😍
Danielle 1 year ago
It does look like that! But if you zoom in it is two balloons tied to the railings.
Load More Replies... #6
Street Light Moment
James says that shooting streets involves some of the things that benefit our mental well-being. "It's healthy, physically and mentally, walking to escape the stresses of life and actively looking and thinking is a wonderful mental exercise," he says. "Over time, you start to recognize yourself in your photos."
He says that the photographer's emotions often can be visible in the photos they take. "When I'm feeling anxious, I capture more anxious photos," he admits. "When I'm happy, my photos are happier. It is a flexible genre that allows you to ultimately take it in any direction you want."
#7
Sometimes You Just Get Lucky
matt hoop 1 year ago (edited)
I was thinking the same thing 😂 what an explosion
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Edgar Rops 1 year ago
The pond is round, could have lined up a *different* angle, but the author rose above the temptation.
Steve Robert 1 year ago
Worst case of explosive vomiting that I've ever seen. And the dog thinking " I'm not with him".
#8
Mirror Dimension
Andrew Morris 1 year ago
Need to do a small edit, so they are walking the other way in the reflection.
#9
One Night In London
PeepPeep the duck 1 year ago
I took it as a reference/ inspiration of the title to the song - one night in Bangkok (I love that song 😂).
Load More Replies...Street photography is also relatively easily accessible. "You can do it while you travel looking for spectacular moments or stick to photographing while walking around your block hundreds of times looking for interesting moments in the mundane," James says. He alters his shooting style depending on where he is. He says he'd do more candid photographs than portraits in a busy city.
#10
Some B&w Street Photography Shots Taken These Last Years
LizzieBoredom 1 year ago
Some people can't get away with wearing tight shirts. It's hard to pull off.
#11
Faces (Patan, Nepal)
artisticINSURRECTION 1 year ago
Super amazing capture. Well done. You have a great eye for content and composition.
#12
New To Reddit. Deciding To Share Some Of My Work
"People are used to photographers, but I will use a small camera and prime lens so I am fast and light, and make it look like I am not noticing my subjects," James tells Bored Panda. "Instead, [I look] above or behind them as if I am looking at the background (which I am also doing)."
#13
I Was Told This Was A Good Street Photography Shot
#14
Toronto, 2021
Nikole 1 year ago
He takes the photo to the next level though. And I just realized that could be a joke.
Load More Replies... Mason Kronol 1 year ago
On our honeymoon we were staying in a higher floor suite and slept in. But the window washers didn’t. The bathroom was also floor to ceiling windows and though it had blinds they only worked against people in helicopters, not washing windows, so we had to wait to shower. We used the hotel restroom. It was fun to watch them though. Scary job! This is how the guy was, not on a scaffold. It was a 22 story building.
Elladine DesIsles 1 year ago
Any other locals recognize the building? It isn't an obvious one to me, but I think I would remember the texture on every fourth stripe if I'd ever noticed it in person...
#15
Rainy Day In Osaka
James has more tips to seem incognito while shooting on the street. "When I capture a photograph, I often don't take the camera away from my eye, which can tip the person off that I took their photo. Instead, he moves the camera away from them or lets them walk through as if they were in his way. "I like to stand on street corners to allow people to enter my personal space," he adds.
#16
Another Philly Photo. One Of My Personal Favorites And Hardest To Take
BeesEelsAndPups 1 year ago
That's City Hall on the left. It's a pretty building, if overshadowed by all the skyscrapers around it.
#17
My Favorites Over The Last 6 Months
Pencil McGovern 1 year ago
I can *hear* that diner. The plastic menus crinkling, the creamer lids clinking, the quiet sizzle of the grill.... Powerful.
Michael P. 1 year ago
A beautiful sunny morning and you come in for breakfast. You get a spot by the window, so you get to observe people heading off to work or just out and about on their normal routines.
#18
In Light Of Recent Events
Serial pacifist 1 year ago (edited)
For accuracy of the moment, just delete free, and correct “dom” into doom. Thank you.
Shelli Aderman 1 year ago
Now THIS is a great example of irony. Please take note, Alanis Morissette!
If people do notice, James doesn't hide or deny it. "I smile, tell them what I'm doing, and if ever anyone is uncomfortable, I offer to send them the photo or delete it if they would like. And, most importantly, I walk slowly, allowing things to develop around me. It's important to walk slow," he shares his tips.
#19
Snowy Night In Hokkaido, Japan
Phil Cookson 1 year ago
Telephone cables. It is typical to leave the old wires when they fit new ones, hence the 'cable chaos'.
TheReaMrsSlimShady 1 year ago
Looks like a live action of the scene where kenshin about to meet tomoe,
#20
Vertical Street Scenes
shankShaw deReemer 1 year ago
That don't all bark continuously. In fact, mine rarely barks he maybe gets one out every couple weeks.
Load More Replies... Pencil McGovern 1 year ago
A picture is worth a thousand words. In this case, even more. Extraordinary.
#21
Lonely
Hippopotamuses 1 year ago (edited)
It's interesting how it also captures the ruts from vehicle's wheels.
When he's in the quieter parts of a city, James focuses more on the environment and the background. "But when I capture people, I will often do more portraits since it is the polite thing to do," he says. "That doesn't mean I don't take candids, but I am much more cautious when I do. You have to be able to adapt your shooting style to the area," he believes.
#22
Shadow And Reflection
#23
Got Real Lucky With This One
#24
South Haven, Mi
Owen 1 year ago
I have no idea why, but I find this photo a bit scary. Which means it's damn good.
G A 1 year ago (edited)
Another liminal space, I think. The clouds are oppressive.
Load More Replies... We also asked James whether smartphones and social media have affected street photography. He believes that it has. "For photography in general, the algorithm has made many people look for the most spectacular photos that look good on small screens, capturing photos that will capture our attention for a few seconds to click the like button before ultimately forgetting about them forever. This is boring," James shares.
#25
Should I Crop It Or Keep It As Is?
WindySwede 1 year ago
The eye is drawn to the roof and you miss the motive easier when the roof is there.
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linda harbin 1 year ago
At first glance I thought someone had dropped a box of pizza. Since no one had a look of aghast on their face, I had to look closer…. I'm def getting old…
#26
Some Shots From My First Few Months Of Shooting
Apatheist Account2 1 year ago
I heard that one of these bred with a hip-hop singer. They created a velocirapper.
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Timing
Owen 1 year ago
I know it's not really the point, but her Captain America pikachu tattoo is awesome.
squid Luau 1 year ago
uggh i was gonna say the opposite, but to each their own haha
Load More Replies... "There are so many subtle and mundane photographs that may not do well with the algorithm that are the most interesting photos," James tells us. "I honestly think the single image is [gone]. We are surrounded by so many spectacular single images that it feels like there's no point in thinking that way."
#28
Motion Capture
#30
Good Or Not Really
"The true power of street photography is in the series of photographs, the book, the project," James tells us his philosophy. "This is a way to break free of the algorithm and to really send a message, to capture your area, your thoughts, and to break down the barriers between us."
"As for photographing with a smartphone, the accessibility aspect of that for photography is absolutely wonderful. However, I prefer to use a camera because photography is my time to detach, and I just can't do that with my phone," he admits.
If you found James Maher's thoughts as compelling as we did, you can find more at Glass City, where he writes a column about photography, creativity, and urbanism!
#31
A Rainy Evening In Hong Kong
April Pickett 1 year ago
Strange. It looks like he is surrounded by dry pavement, will it continue?
#32
One Of The Coolest Photos I've Ever Taken
Jean Thompson 1 year ago
Good, but I want the man to be centered on the steps. Him being slightly left makes me itch!!
#33
Almost 20 Years Later And I Still Can’t Believe I Got My Camera Out In Time To Capture This
#34
People Of New York
medcrest 1 year ago
They have to run to the shooting, except maybe in Uvalde.
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#35
I Had The Light Where I Wanted It For About 3 Minutes
#36
Nikon F - 40mm Pancake - Sf Bus Smile
Bob Brooce 1 year ago
Good on Mick Fleetwood for taking public transportation instead of a limousine. Untitled-6...e1cf85.jpg 
Steve Robert 1 year ago
It's the circle of life. Especially when I see my daughter, grandkids and great grandkids next week!
#37
Picture I Took Back When The Flatiron Wasn’t Just Scaffolding 😔😩😭
#38
I Shot A Friend’s Birthday Party Over The Weekend(Fuji X100vi)
#39
Japan
#40
Street Surrealism
#41
Quit Photography For 4 Years And Recently Starred Shooting Again. Here’s A Few From The Archives And Recently! Hope You Enjoy
#42
A Lady And A Bird In Vancouver
#43
Some Of The Last Digital Images I Ever Took Before Switching To Film Fully
keyboardtek 1 year ago (edited)
One can still get film processed? One thing I did not like about film is having to expose numerous rolls of film to get one good image. One needs to be wealthy.
#44
Sometimes, You Get Lucky
#45
Boston Streets
#46
Some Recent Shots From Tokyo
Steve Robert 1 year ago
🎶 Homeward bound. I wish I was. Home where my Love lies waiting silently for me 🎶. Simon and Garfunkel
#50
I Often Find Myself Shooting In Very Abstract Ways. Is It “Street?” Who Knows
#51
Reclining At Days End In Hong Kong
#52
The Girl On The Evening Train
#54
One Of My Favorite NYC Photos I’ve Ever Taken. The City Is A Whole New World In The Rain
Just saying 1 year ago
Also so different in snow. NYC never sleeps, but when it snows it is so darn quiet. Great picture.
#56
South Korea, 2024
April Pickett 1 year ago
That must be his stash. Putting on that costume would require a large stash.
#57
Tacoma, Washington
#58
I Have A Feeling I Should Enter A Photo Contest With This Photo, What Do You Guys Think?
#59
Random Observations, Mallorca
#60
The Girl. Tokyo, Japan 2024
#61
This Is Street Photography
Nikole 1 year ago
Terrible that you were downvoted. I took one away at least.
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#64
NYC - December 2022
#65
Surpreyes
#66
Past Two Days In Germany
#67
The Picture That Could Win Me A X100vi Limited Edition
#68
One Of My Favorite Photos Was Censored
Bob Brooce 1 year ago
It's extremely obvious that it's somebody in a long coat standing between the legs of somebody sitting on a bench, and the clothing suggests a female and a male. There's nothing in the picture to suggest to a normal person should that it's problematic if the one that's standing is a child, but we all process the visual input in our own minds.
Load More Replies... #69
A Few Favorites From Over The Years
#70
People Watching By The Caribbean. Thoughts?
#73
My Top 10 Favorite Photos From 2023. All Bangkok
#75
Do You Prefer The Colour Or The B&w?
#77
Not Museum Worthy, But Thought The Subject Was Interesting (Tribeca, New York)
Susical 1 year ago
*If* the guy's homeless, he probably feeds the dog better than he feeds himself. An animal for someone in that situation can keep a person going. (But the guy might just be wearing dirty work clothes or something - not necessarily homeless just because he looks shabby.)
Load More Replies... #78
Intersecting Lines
#80
Philippines
#81
I Started Street Photography 1 Year Ago. Here’s A Collection Of Photos That Represent Me The Best As A Photographer
#82
Some Of My Favorites From Documenting Illegal Fights In NYC. Attempting To Do More On Medium Format Soon
#85
Kicked | Philadelphia, Pa | 2023
#87
What Do You Think About This Photo?
#92
A Year Ago I Took A Solo Photo Trip To Chicago And Captured Some Of My Fav Images To Date
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Khall Khall 1 year ago
No they cut off the last one for their stupid premium bp scam c**p.
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Khall Khall 1 year ago
No they cut off the last one for their stupid premium bp scam c**p.
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