Reportage and Street

Reportage and Street

I see a distinction here, but also quite an overlap in defining reportage and street photography. Reportage I see as the pictures that accompany an article, the classic Life magazine or National Geographic approach. A single image that tells a story could also be reportage, perhaps we could see a newspaper caption going with it nicely. Street photography I see as capturing mainly candid moments of life out and about on the streets, although these could have stories to tell as well. Whether it matters or not to have a detailed definition depends on whether we are just shooting pcitures or designing the rules for some competition, but in the latter case perhaps better not to think too deeply as the deeper we go the worse it generally gets.

So, definitions aside, we know what we mean by this style of photography and for sure we know that at first it can be quite stressful for a budding photographer. Will people react well? Basically, I've found that people don't react badly, provided we look as though we should be doing what we are doing, show confidence and are ready with a smile and sometimes even a wave. Get in there, get close with a wide angle lens, and become part of the world being recorded. The alternative is to stand back with a telephoto lens and select interesting faces out of the crowd. This can work too, depending on the subject and the situation. It's probably easiest to start at some event such as the Goth weekends in Whitby, or one of the many 1940s re-enactments up and down the country. Also, festivals, garden and country shows and other public events can be useful. With re-enactments people are generally very willing to have their pictures taken, so problems are very unlikely, unless of course we nervously skulk in the shadows, which might look a bit suspicious.....

Time for some images!

We Are Ghosts. The anonymous mass of people rushing to or from work in the centre of Manchester.



The Rushing Man. You'll find him in Manchester. Put money in the hat and he'll drop his briefcase then pose again.



Trust Me On This. A posed spoof of the line from an episode of Doctor Who.



Waiting at the bus station. From a distance, eye contact was made and smiles and waves exchanged.



Street Artist pleased with her work



A way to cool off on a Hot Day



Street Sax



Street Cosplay



Old Lady in Cafe



The father of the bride



Girl of Fire



Time for a snack and a chat



Whitby Street Performer



Man selling sheds



Connections - a statement about mobile phones and telephone boxes



The makeup artist



Street Police



Brett Harkness, Pentax Ambassador



Barman



I woke up like this....



Phil on his retirement day