'Are there too many Street Photographers?' -- Answering your questions feat. NYC Photography Friends

[@hatpeach1]

"Shoot the cliche shit... don't show it." "Copy everything at first, who gives a shit?" LOVE THIS ADVICE!

[@chazmaddoc]

There are many channels about gear. There are lots of channels about photography. There are very few channels about how one develops the skill of taking street pictures. This is one of the best channels on youtube.

[@billybolang7052]

Yes yes yess!... Agreed 100%❤❤.. All the X100six and sl3 makes me puke! i loved gear not gonna lie..but those things are to much and disgusting

[@johnwesleybrewer]

Well said!

[@CrispyFrenFry]

I absolutely love Pauline B’s example of people who enjoy playing futbol for fun. Are there too many photographers now? Maybe but only because smart phones are cameras as well and cameras are generally far more economically accessible now depending on the format and model. I’m a hobbyist photographer and don’t aspire to gain notoriety because it’s simply a creative outlet for me. Chances are, this is the case for most people. Photography is just a fun process so I don’t think there is ever too much until it becomes a health hazard.

[@fabve5488]

In my experience it’s better to do what you love without worrying about how other people feel about it. I respect all photographers but i will continue doing what I love :)

[@arricammarques1955]

Yeah, freedom is priceless. Working is cheap!

[@xity_]

I’ve been going to school for photography and I have engaged with a lot of different photographers and a lot of people just can’t break the barrier of entry into street because it does take courage and getting brave to take better photos so some people stick to more conservative forms of photography like Sport Portrait Fashion stuff like that

[@quintonmckimm]

Such a trooper. Burst appendix, hit by fireworks, sheesh…

[@PaulieB]

let’s see what march 2024 has in store for me 😖

[@crashryanphoto]

Dude! (1) You're lucky to be alive! Glad to see you back. (2) I feel like there is less street photographers now. 10 years ago everyone was getting a DSLR. Now it's people with iPhones not even trying to compose/frame a shot.

[@annihilist1983]

Thank you for your enthusiasm on the art. “Shoot it, you don’t have to show everything.” Perfect mantra for a fulfilling career or hobby.

[@steveklamkin]

Sorry about your appendicitis Pauline, it’s good to see that it looks like you’ve fully bounced back. This is one of your best vids - as though the Q&A format lets you express everything you’ve learned from doing the whole series. Love it - hope you can keep ‘em coming!

[@IceBergs]

Too many in New York not enough everywhere else. I live in the east bay corridor of San Francisco (about 40 miles inland) and I have seen a total of 2 people making work on streets or events that weren't press in this previous year. I go out a lot as well, the two I did see have become my friends though. SF is very overrated and the surrounding area is so much more interesting to me so I rarely if ever go to SF for those reasons. One of the people wasnt even shooting that day and just recognized what I was doing and approached me, and the other was a quiet older man with a digital camera that I saw from time to time

[@PaulieB]

Love this for you

[@Mygrainphotos]

Dude, the film scan question was perfect! I just got into film photography and always wondered the difference between scan size! Thank you so much!!

[@justamanwithanopinion]

Heard the Street Life podcast earlier and now I'm here. I didn't realise this is your full-time gig now so I'm considering subscribing on Patreon to support you.

[@whipsnadepoacher]

Never enough! Get out there! Enjoy yourself!

[@1970rsc]

Great advice - i’m still learning and trying to develop a style too, but at this stage in my learning 100% of my efforts have been trying to recreate some of the great photographers and photos I’ve seen others create. Classroom learning and discussion is a terrific forum for exposure to different photographers and genres.

[@melaninxhalide1165]

I know everyone always asks about your gear as far as your personal photography, but I’d love for you to do an episode where you break down the gear you use for your video projects like Walkie Talkie: cameras, lenses, audio, software etc etc. Keep up the dope work! 🔥🔥🔥

[@JPWineberg]

I was wandering North Beach in San Francisco yesterday, had a blast making images with the Q2. While some of my images qualify as street, I'm not a street photographer. I sometimes wonder if we get caught up in categories rather than just enjoying the image for what it is. If someone wants to label their images #streetphotography who am I to judge. After more than 40 years of photography I am shooting exclusively black and white. Shooting with the M6, Nikon FE2 and Q2. Each camera has a place in my photography. Loved the guitar analogy. Love the channel, glad for the quick recovery! Looking forward to more!

[@Betrue875]

Glad you're on the mend! Nasty stuff, appendicitis! Love the video. No much info! I never stop learning! There's always something to shoot, because the world around us is always changing!

[@COMCOL]

Hyped to see walkie talkie come to the west coast especially since this series inspired me to get into trying street photography. Hope you can interview some LA street photographers sometime!

[@crysmarie6684]

No, because everyone has a different perspective. There is value to everyones work, even if it's just to serve as a record of how we see the world today, for future generations. I think it's pretty smug when photographers want to call themselves the real deal and everyone else posers. Everyone's work will speak for itself, whether it's "good" or not.

[@cheeta2705]

Great programming Paulie. I respect your good judgment as well. Thanks... Ed

[@RS-Amsterdam]

Good to see you back on your feet holding the camera🎉 Looking forward to the SF vids. Meanwhile,.stay safe and thanks for sharing ...cause sharing in caring😂

[@628DirtRooster]

It looks like the “too many street photographers” question was asked of someone who doesn’t travel. When I’m out in any other town or city it is very rare to see anyone else with a camera except in New Orleans.

[@Ktheodoss]

I would have liked to hear that girl’s opinion in what is the street photography genre. For me it would have been interesting to hear her thoughts on that. I know it obviously wouldn’t be some definitive definition but still interesting to hear.

[@StreetsOfVancouverChannel]

Here in Vancouver 🇨🇦 I’ve been to public events/protests where a full third of the crowd are photographers! I joked with some street photographers about a month back that fifteen years ago I almost never saw other street photographers (*though I did see Fred Herzog once)… and now I’ll see street photographers on every block downtown on weekends! 🤣😃🤣😏😎📸👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻

[@fladoodleflamy]

Okay 6:50 of you opening your eye tripped me out

[@siNong_kumuha]

good to hear you're okay Paulie! mag-ingat ka always! great to see you again in this vid!

[@Matthowe1]

Respect Paulie! Love the channel! Make Toronto the first international stop this summer! Be great to see you up here!

[@martingreenberg870]

WSP is a nice place to shoot. Typically there are a lot of people in the park. They are doing things. As pointed out, the subject typically don’t object to being photographed. That being said, my favorite place to shoot is Union Square park. Ten blocks north. The giant steps on the south side of the park. People sitting on the steps. People at the top of the steps. On the east side of the park are benches in the shade. Lots of people sitting. The north side of the park has more benches and the park where a lot of kids play. Tricky. The west side of the park has the farmer’s market and people selling things in stalls. The southwest part of the park has the subway entrance and the chess hustlers. A great place to shoot. Two blocks south of the park is the Strand bookstore. I met Saul Leiter on the 2nd floor in 2013. Photo ops of people looking at books on the street. A few blocks north and west is Adorama. I love the 14th street train station. There are lots of people there. You can see passengers above you from the platform and see trains entering and leaving the station.You can see passengers on the platform from the crosswalk above. A great venue. Oops! I shared my favorite hunting grown. Now a horde of photographers will descend on USP. That’s alright. I won’t be there until the middle of September. Good hunting. I look at many street photography sites on KZbin. I like those sites that share images and videos from NYC. I was born & raised in Brooklyn. I miss living in NYC. Write this down. Seattle is not NYC. I like criticizing the images shared on the videos. I don’t think many of the images are very good. Most of my images aren’t very good. The difference is I don’t share my not so good images. I only like ~2% of my images. On a good day it can zoom to 5%. That is a lot of sub premium images. I do photography for fun. Street photography isn’t a competition. I love seeing good street images. They don’t take away from my images. Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)

[@retropixer]

Great video.. How to connect w other photographers if you’re in a small city or town? Go to the photo store (you likely have at least one) and talk to the folks there, for areas, activities, walks, anything. If Internet/Instagram is not your thing, stick a post-it note to their bulletins board. One thing every photographer does is to gravitate to these stores no matter how small the town is.

[@FedThePoopy]

These videos always inspire me Paulie, I've learned so much from your walkie talkies and it's changed me as a photographer (including making bad financial decisions xD). Glad you are feeling better and I hope you continue to make this stuff!

[@vivianbb]

Come to D.C.!!!! DC Film Collective has a lot of street photographers :)

[@PaulieB]

I may be in DC soon! 🤝

[@vivianbb]

woohooo!!! can't wait!!!!!!@@PaulieB

[@jaketuckeyimages]

Great stuff, love your vibe. I look forward to your videos. I always learn something from you or guests.

[@maxsolis7910]

Hi Paulie! Thanks for the Great Video ! Which Camera bag are you using in this Video?? Looks really comfyy

[@AmaroSAE]

Love all your content and photos especially ! How do you feel about medium format in street photography?

[@GPTMagana]

Paulie! Come to Seattle someday. We got Pike Place Market, the monorail, Space Needle, and Capitol Hill!!!

[@johnwesleybrewer]

Your channel is wayyyy too slept on Love your work!

[@danicee]

Thanks for including me, Paulie! Had a chance to think more about the idea of “too many street photographers” and definitely feel like that’s something to unpack more of since the title seems to have a lot of layers 🤔

[@donjagoe]

Just great stuff, every single time. Thanks.

[@marcelinopagan8502]

Hi Paulie good seeing your latest youtube video. Always looking to see what your doing next. I ran into you a while back on 42nd street and 5th Ave. Glad. you're feeling better. One question how do you feel when you see other photographes like Joe Greer and Andre Ware make it. I mean I do follow them because there work is so good. In my case I've been photographing the coffee shops and people that frequent them in the Hudson Valley, as my project. Hope to make a book out of it in mid 2025. Again glad you see you back on KZbin and yes would love to see what you did out in SF. take care.

[@errole]

What lens is that and man I am glad you are ok and live.

[@gentlefoo]

paulie is keeping us fed!!! 💯 when are we getting the Paulie B walkie talkie tho!?! 👀

[@lorenzobbanotito]

heck yea, shout out sf photographers!

[@emanuelbief7088]

I don't think there are many street photographers, what I think is that it is more accessible to do it than other types of photography, which is why the commercial photographer often looks down on the street photographer.

[@tigertongue74]

Just shoot for yourself and yourself only.It has taken me since 2014 to develop my own style where I find that I am happy with what I now get.Plus anything I'm happy with I print in A4 or A3+,I believe in printing your work,not relly into to posting on social media,call me old school,but that's the way i like it.

[@joshh6395]

I think that there only too many when every single persons life is being documented on the street every minute. Street photography is a passion, some can make money from it , but it’s not something you go in to for the money. I like to think to some extent we aren’t just photographers but historians capturing what was just in an aesthetic way

[@marcyeo1]

1:59 that is a craaaaazy shot

[@mdsanders5]

Really want come down to east coast to get back into photography especially street photography

[@ernestglo]

1:58 was an INSANE shot

[@DavidKabra]

I got hella fomo seeing the SF community out and about for Chinese new years. Excited to see the SF vids. Hope you're feeling better.

[@DavidKabra]

@@westernpigeon he went to SF around that time, so hoping to see videos of it.

[@errole]

What camera does everyone have and lens.

[@JenHamon]

Perhaps too many street photographers specifically in NYC. Lots of interesting places out there, no need for everyone to cluster in one city.

[@shuttersounds__jpg]

I hope to be in one of your walkie talkie videos one day, I think you’ve created a genre on it’s own that can best be described as an outdoor podcast for street photography. I’m sure now everyone wants to be on your walkie talkie videos in the states and abroad, it could become a platform for up and coming street photographers to get some recognition and blow up on social media helping them/us get work or find an avenue to make money off of this hobby which I know isn’t the point but in real world adult life it couldn’t hurt. Keep going brother this is great

[@AlexSantos-qx7gl]

S/o to Sonia! Fellow LGCC alumni! Amazing photographer!

[@Dan_photo]

10:28 just straight up turned your back while getting your answer and she didn’t know what to do. Cold!

[@PaulieB]

Funny you took it that way! While it was going on, it felt pretty apparent that I was looking for photos while doing the q&a & there was a lot going on around us

[@Dan_photo]

@@PaulieB I figured you were doing that but after asking a question you would just look away from everyone. That specific one she noticed.

[@avdidit]

Love these videos homie

[@PaulieB]

Thank you bro!

[@t_mcb_1342]

good you are all well now🙂 happy pie day!

[@michaels8607]

I like what Fabve said..MY camera, MY money, MY time, and I like who I like. I am not following what someone else is doing, and I will spend my time learning instead. NYC is a place where I have found so many people asking to be shot, for free, and will help you practice. Show them your work, and they tell you the truth. I would stay away from the guys who say they NEED 8k, 124 MP, 34FPS, and have 300 lenses from one brand. In NYC, my Fuji shooters are the ones who LOVE that one body,one lens, just chilling. Canon have the workhorse cameras they take everywhere and they are cool to shoot with. Sony shooters I meet are just ready to create.There's not too many shooters, there's too many people asking me for money on the trains.There's more shooters because of digital, because if we only had film, it would make a difference...The ones saying who might not be street shooters, I would ask them, who assigned you to choose who is who????

[@pauljunbear]

Street photography in NYC is just another high school. Ask yourself why you go out and shoot everyday. Focus on the labor of being able to do such a creative act, not the outcome of what you produce. Sanity is the key game here for photographers. Disconnect from the noise. Focus on mastering your craft. I felt peace at photography knowing that I can keep it as a hobby, that someday someone might discover my photos and love them. But if no one does, it won't matter, because I won't be around to care.

[@Eliasw86]

Seriously, for a second I thought you were Kai! Great episode!

[@DynastyUK]

I find the point interesting about wanting to go viral and keeping that up. When you ask who how many people you know that do that, I have to point out that the people who do tend to grow and have a team. Like the creativity shots from Jordi Koalitic, he started with a few unique ideas and went viral, and he keeps impressing however those ideas are no longer solely his. He has a big team working and coming up or discovering ideas from others to help him stay viral. That game is too much for me personally and the photos don't always age well or hold up on their own other than to be impressive with the technique.

[@samtan4729]

I love images taken by Alex Webb. How to copy??

[@philgelb7726]

Come to London my man. tell me when and I'll see you

[@MrBlackretreat]

I'm a New York street photographer ( egypt thompson )

[@eddyjcreative100]

Hey Paulie i can afford a Yashica RF 35 GX are they worth it

[@josephlai1078]

Paulie, another great video. As a former New Yorker (1983 - 2001), I used to love roaming Manhattan in the mid 90's with my dad's Kyocera point and shoot. Needless to say, I would get some "unfriendly looks" from time to time back then. Having said that, I have a few possibly politically incorrect questions to ask. Is New York City more street photography/photographer friendly these days? From your videos, I've seen that there seems to be a very active street photography scene in NYC. I've also read a lot of news on the National Guards stationed in many subway stations, is it safe, in general, or you really have to watch your 6 when out shooting street photography? Thanks and keep up the good work.

[@roydaone]

the intro music should be on spotify

[@Antonioperezphoto]

Hope you go international man!

[@IssaKhari]

damn, ruptured appendix, glad you've made a full recovery. good to see you back at it.

[@4thDad]

I hope I run into you on my trip to nyc

[@Redheadliner]

You need to do a Walkie Talkie with Sam Lamaine -- his work with lighting and color is breathtaking!

[@alexpa24]

Very inspiring.

[@noc838]

What strap is Andrew using at @8:54

[@Ruben-kc8hy]

At 10:12 what a great debate for a new video also very interesting response from paulie b, right after her answer. I feel like paulie got a lil offended.

[@PaulieB]

Definitely not offended

[@belaacs5238]

"I don't take pictures anymore in New York, I did it for 50 years. It is boring, everybody looks the same, tons of street photographers out there, but they have no clue what street photography is all about" (Bruce Gilden)

[@alekosl4356]

How do you remain respectful to peoples privacy when approaching a photo?

[@xTwistedFleshX]

There's no expectation of privacy in public. They should respect the right of the photographer to photograph whatever they want when in public. There are thousands and thousands of cameras from storefronts and traffic lights taking your picture every single day but no one cares about it.

[@colinthecameraguy]

If you plan on bringing the walkie talkie to London then hit me up: Fixer, Driver, Videographer and organised AF😊

[@Hipster_In_Denial]

I'm jealous. Paulie looks about 23, but in reality, he's probably pushing 40.

[@realdoctorobvious]

Holy crap! That ruptured appendix.... that could have killed you. 😧

[@PaulieB]

caught it just in time! 🫡

[@realdoctorobvious]

@@PaulieBGlad for that! Still, close call.

[@JustinPhillip]

Childish Gambino!!!!

[@Tablelegs123]

yes.

[@mrtonysantos]

too many ordinary streeters, very few good ones, even fewer great current street photographers

[@bnjbhkj]

What are your qualifications to quantify a great street photographer?

[@Lemluck_]

The fireworks😂

[@jonbroady88]

When you play soccer , all the players that are on the field want to play. Street photography is sometimes a sport that the players on the field don't want to play, so when that happens, if there is to many kickers and not enough goalies, the game is unbalanced. I just hope nature does not balance it for us.. I do see many people people getting very angry when a camera is seen. That should never be, that will be placed on the person really trying to capture art and hurt the industry.

[@JuanHurrea]

the kid shooting you with the string. cool ass snippet

[@laurenbaldy]

MAMA I MADE IT (again)

[@MrPhotographerDude]

It's not content, it's photography. Do photography and leave the content to content creators. Just do photography for the sake of doing photography and you can't go wrong. Do photography as often as you can and you'll become a better photographer, maybe even great. Chase followers and you'll get good at chasing followers.

[@dunkkid23]

Do a walkie talkie in Detroit!

[@gregmarcus3064]

Love you Eric Kim. Love him or hate him. I had idea what SP was but he made it popular and it has been more than 10 years since his hype and now he is nowhere to be found on the net because of the hate and jealously he got. I wish he had thicker skin. He was very interesting.

[@jesusescudero9721]

Of course YES, but it is ok.😂

[@neeravnaik]

Not so sound like a cliche but seems like “doing better” than someone or “improve” seems like a western concept. Photography is a hobby and a subjective art not competitive sport. You don’t have to win at everything and have some goals for it. But that’s what happens all the time. It is something we do voluntarily to have fun.

[@bobbullethalf]

Just too many people with cameras, iPhones included. The whole photography genre is crowded. Yesterday I saw at least 8 people walking around the Boston area with professional cameras, just too much to enjoy the space anymore.

[@danmarino3038]

who cares? just do you. Photography should make you happy. If it doesn't, don't do it. Doesn't matter what other people are doing.

[@crwn_munkz]

Did Andrew just hit us with the Fibonacci?

[@Maxhster]

way too many 😎

[@ejbernal2]

Yes, street photography is oversaturated. Social media and the availability/affordabilty of cameras compared to 20 years ago did that. But for Wowie Zowie to question people's motives or idea of what street photography is? This isn't it. That's gatekeeping at its finest. She didn't invent street photography and definitely did not define the genre. It's a city of 9 million people, 8.9 million of them carrying around cell phones. And the people in the comments, oh man. There's a reason why there's no Boise, Idaho, street photography. There's also a reason for me to not to do Rego Park street photography. Boring AF.

[@DynastyUK]

Oh I have a question. Other than yourself whose opinion of your photos matter to you most? for example General public, or other street photogs? Personally for me I have to go with what David Bailey said once, "I hate other photographers work, Either I think it's shit and hate it, or even worse I think it's great and that makes me hate it more because I wish I had taken it" haha. Maybe that's just the cold London in us lol. So I guess I prefer when a someone random likes the work. Photographers tend to make rules for themselves and try to pick things apart. "you cropped feet/hands/head off" for example of things that make 0 difference if an image is good or not. I like the guy you had on there who said who cares, it's just a photo. But then the girl straight after who said "They're not real street photography, don't know the history" blah blah... THIS is what I don't like about photographers, Either it's a good photo and you like it, or you don't. It's not it's good BUT, technically blah blah haha. She's cool btw, everyone is, just sayin. :)

[@arricammarques1955]

Observing produces better snaps than always sporting a camera.

[@MaxKoenig-Mk001]

"like,like,like,like.."

[@PaulieB]

Thanks for liking!

[@MaxKoenig-Mk001]

@@PaulieB uhh hurt feelings^^

[@wilhelmw3455]

I like these videos.

[@jd87a]

The mic ruffling is tough in this vid

[@PaulieB]

oops

[@bnjbhkj]

Why did @Wowwy10 feel like she was just putting people down for being out there as if they were encroaching up her "real" street photography that she has been doing for, checks notes, 10 whole years. People have been doing street photography long before that, she didn't invent the genre.....

[@RonEMarks]

Soccer players aren’t in the middle of the street and in your face.

[@PaulieB]

right