Street photography without people I Fuji X-T4

[@thegreasygeezer1974]

I feel like I've been struggling with my photography because I generally take photos that don't have people in them. I keep reflecting negatively on it, building a very anxious narrative in my head. This video helped to dissolve that train of thought.

[@richardrizzo_photography]

Very thought provoking video Tatiana. I prefer street photography without people, I think the story telling leaves much more to the imagination of the viewer in my humble opinion. 🙂❤

[@TatianaHopper]

Thank you for watching Rich and so do I, it’s what I said about the power of suggestion, thank you for sharing your thoughts ❤️

[@seb_steimel]

you're finding the most beautifil words to describe street photography. When I started, people like Matt Stuart and Martin Parr were my absolute idols and I tried to be as brave as possible to produce street candids. But later when I visited more and more exhibitions I loved the challenge of showing people's presence with their absence. Right now I'm sitting somewhere in between but I noticed the older I get the more calm my pictures become 😅

[@acloud4]

There is nothing in the name street photography to suggest that people are involved. Bird photography, wildlife. My question is does anybody that is not a "Street Photographer" like to view street photography images?

[@61southoutdoors67]

I have no desire to do street photography. However, I really do enjoy street photography images. The images allow me to see that side of life without having to actually be present for it, if that makes sense

[@raytreat6599]

I absolutely enjoy street photography images even though I’m more into landscapes for my own work.

[@mortimersnerd8044]

Only if they are good images which stand on their own regardless of imposed genre.

[@jimwlouavl]

I enjoy good street photography, including without people. A friend recently made a photo of an empty barbers chair that is one of my favorite photos.

[@raymeedc]

A tip for whisper quiet street shooting, use the electronic shutter….. they’ll never hear you comin’, and likely won’t know you’ve been there. I utilize this with a vintage manual lens (a Pentax Super-Takumar 35mm f3.5 on a Fujifilm body of mine I often use street shooting, for example) set at a hyper focal distance of f8 & 15 ft. In order to raise the camera to my eye & down again in the least amount of time & fiddling possible. I change the settings when need be, but this methodology seems to take care of a good portion of otherwise missed moments.

[@tedphillips2951]

Your photos were excellent! I feel that many photographers put themselves in a box by listening to comments from on line about what is correct. Shoot what you like & call it what you like. Enjoy the experience.

[@TatianaHopper]

💯 Ted! I’m just here sharing my journey with you guys and all I can say is that it’s been great to share the results with you all but I always keep an open mind to allow me to progress into the next step and then the next stage, thank you for watching! ✨

[@tedphillips2951]

@@TatianaHopper I hope you didn't think I meant that you are one of the people that put people in a box. It is actually quite the opposite. You expose your viewers to so many different points of view that we would never have been exposed without your videos. They only widen our scope of photography. Thank you!

[@TatianaHopper]

@@tedphillips2951 oh absolutely not! I saw where you were coming from and it’s so great to read feedback like yours and so many others really :)

[@WatchesAndPhotography]

I am a bit more like Garry Winogrand when it comes to my approach on “street photography”. He hated the term. It’s just photography. He also hated the term “still life” as all photos are stills. He may not be for everyone, but what he had to say about photography highly influenced me.

[@TatianaHopper]

💯

[@Joseph_Greco]

Labels are limiting and constrictive in art... e.g. photographers who say "I only shoot people" or "I only shoot landscapes". That's like saying "I only see people" or "I only see things". If your eyes and your heart are open you see "everything".....so why not photograph it? Don't limit yourself... be open and receptive to everything you see....you'll be pleasantly surprised. Good vid! Keep it up! ☮😎.

[@ashekrahaman4524]

Very well put. Completely agree.

[@washingtonradio]

To me trying to define 'street photography', 'landscape photography' or any other genre is a fool's errand unless the definition is extremely broad. Narrow genre labels are more convenient for academics and critics for classification purposes than working photographers. Too often, a photograph is not easily classified into a specific, narrow genre but will be in 2 or 3 genres simultaneously.

[@qbnscholar]

I so get what you are saying about challenges, though from a different standpoint. The whole idea of challenging oneself artistically is one I do not quite understand because to me, every time I pick up my camera, it is a challenge, since I rarely know what (or if) I am going to photograph anything and then there is the challenge of going through the files and choosing what may (or may not) be good, if any image I create during any given shoot is "good" (those times when I take 25+, 10+ photos and they all both blow and suck) and then there is the final challenge of working on my raw files in post, discussing with them what makes them pop (or not), and then the challenge that occurs when I desperately (okay, emotionally attached) want an image to be good while the image itself is telling me it stinks to high heaven and I need to let go. So, it is all a challenge for me. But I do not ever pick up the camera to challenge myself. I do it to create, explore, balance, tap into whatever creative flow strikes me when it strikes me. For me photography is not about the challenge, but about the quiet but very energizing fun. And that's why I love photography. Then there are the gradual challenges, like my latest one of learning how to use a speedlight. There was the challenge almost 5 years ago of switching from an entry level Nikon DSLR to a Sony mirrorless powerhouse. There are the challenges of learning (or simply exploring and rejecting) new Camera Raw processing techniques: I went from creating B&W photos by simply desaturating the image to learning how to work with color, with HSL and color calibration and white balance to create B&W photos that soar. The challenge of how best to share my photos. And then there are the ultimate challenges: seeing awe inspiring photo possibilities in my everyday surroundings and learning more about the art form I love and refining what I know already. This is why I love photography and why I so enjoy your channel. You make me think because you share of yourself and you are also on a path of growth and facing challenges. In a very real way, you challenge me to listen, think, and explore. And to succeed, even by failing. And BTW, I totally agree with your assessment of street photography w/out people still being street photography, though that is always up for debate. And about the photos you showed us? Wow. There were a few that almost made me envious. As always, thank you.

[@TatianaHopper]

Wow, this right here ladies and gents 🙌 loved your comment and agree with you on many points thank you so much for watching the channel and I’m honestly so happy the videos I’m making and sharing my journey can be helpful in many ways and that it has made you think, listen and be open! Very motivating to read this 🙏🏻

[@qbnscholar]

@@TatianaHopper Thank you for your kind words.

[@teacherdude]

i find the difference between street and news/documentary photography to be a lot smaller than most people think, especially if you work in a busy city.

[@theundefinedphotographer]

It reminds me of the beginning of the pandemic when there were lockdowns and people would take pictures of the completely empty streets that were once bustling, like Times Square. It's definitely documentary photography, but is it not considered "street" photography because those were empty streets? Is "street" photography not possible when there's a global pandemic? The rigid definitions of labels can be incredibly limiting and ironic.

[@danielscheerer3032]

I love this style. And you did very well! I think too many “street photographers” treat that genre like fish in a bucket - too many without real substance or quality. I prefer the well thought out quiet scenes that appear with interesting lines/shapes, color, light, depth/reflections, etc., and ONLY if people really add to it. Great exercise! 🙏

[@TatianaHopper]

Thank you so much for your feedback and encouragement Daniel, I appreciate it and yes I really enjoyed it and honestly hands down learned a lot so for me it was a big learning experience, thank you for watching!

[@davidmiley1286]

Enthusiasts do like to categorise especially those who make a living from creating or curating. Thinking back to when I started, I suppose my understanding of street photography ( not that I gave it thought) was, that’s were my feet where when I took the picture. Now we have The WWW there is much to be learned from those who define, categorise, file, trade and profess. I once came across a wonderful phrase which may easily apply to street photography. “Human traces”. Have a think next time you are out.

[@lars69lp]

I like your thoughts about this topic and the term "streetphotography". Now that i've watched this video im inspired to a little project that i want to try at work in my lunchtime 🙏 thank you and keep coming with your great content! Peace from Hamburg Germany

[@TatianaHopper]

Thank you so much for watching Lars, appreciate the feedback and glad it inspired you into venture into new projects, all the best! ✨

[@simonwesterlund1]

wow, this was extremely inspiring! I’m glad I just found your channel!

[@TatianaHopper]

Welcome aboard!

[@thescotlandeffect3454]

Before I watch this episode I would like to say when I moved to Glasgow in 1992 it was in a transition state, it was in the process of transforming from an industrial city to a service city. I found myself taking pictures deliberately not photographing people as I wanted the essence of what the city used to be like and imagining the people that strolled the streets before me, in my opinion I think street photography is whatever either the photographer or viewer wants to see in the picture.

[@TatianaHopper]

Love those thoughts, thank you so much for commenting and watching the video and yes it is what the photographer wants

[@cinesthesia7]

I'm increasingly curious about this camera. Really enjoyed this and the exploration. Always enjoy a good creative challenge outside the comfort zone.

[@thedexterbros]

Some great points here and lovely street snaps!

[@Robert-rs5qg]

Thank you for the thoughtful content. This is a question I’ve pondered from time to time, and you have clarified the issue.

[@JaredTremper]

Nice approach to experimenting and expanding boundaries in photography (and as has been said, no adjective “street” etc. really needed). I might have to try this experiment as well.

[@TatianaHopper]

Do it Jared! I hands down learned a lot and cannot recommend more, thank you so much for watching ✨

[@sheuhauchow]

You are very inspiring! Thank you!

[@TatianaHopper]

Thank you 🙏🏻

[@joetrent4753]

I have photos with people in them but shoot quite a lot without people. I like to use the specific focal length of my lens to frame interesting subjects - for instance could be part of a building from a certain angle. Whether my ‘street’ photos have people in them (or not) only matters for the particular ideas I have and if I’m deliberately going out to photograph people. I don’t really pay too much attention to the naming and definition of photography genres. A good photo is a good photo regardless of which genre it fits into.

[@wylie_photo]

If the image is good, gets my interest and holds it, then I couldn't care if it was street photography, documentary photography, or any other genre. For me, the focus is on the image and what it means to me, not the terms of reference. I've tried the Fuji X system a few times now (including the X-T4), I don't know why but I just can never seem to get on with them. It's a shame as they are really nice cameras. Another great video from you though, well done!

[@TatianaHopper]

Thank you so much Mark! I really appreciate your thoughts and yeah the x-t4 is a good tool but I think I would always gravitate towards my own cameras the canon or Leica just because I’m so used to them :)

[@wylie_photo]

@@TatianaHopper Me too. After 30 years in photography and trying all sorts of cameras, I have ended up back where I started - manual focus and a small set of primes. That was an expensive round trip! ;)

[@petera1033]

Yes

[@Bob-Horse]

Great stuff Tatiana 👍🏻

[@proartwork7189]

Jay Maisel thought so!

[@stinkyfj60]

My Canon 7D is dying (well, slowly, but it soldiers on)... I'm really considering going to the X-T4 because they look great, and I shoot M 99% of the time and it seems perfect for that.

[@Tsudkyk]

I always thought of street photography as taking photos of the general location, people are usually just the medium in which the story is told. I think shooting abandoned locations is a sub genre of street photography, I try to tell the story of “what happened here?” And I document the clues I find.

[@TatianaHopper]

Great line of thinking and yes I adopted a similar outlook in this video because I was interested in finding those “clues”. Thank you for watching 🙏🏻

[@Blofeld76]

Interesting video and standpoint. When I do street photography I seldom concentrate to people. Of course if opportunity arises I take those pictures. But where I live there isn't always much human interaction to documenting it due lack of crowds of people. So to me it's a must to be able tell story about humans without actual in my pictures.

[@Questionthis1]

I've always thought that street photography is subject-agnostic. It's about environment and happenstance. Sometimes (a lot of times) that includes people. But it's not mandatory. Even if a person isn't in the photo, the human impact on the environment is. It's also about the context of the photographer's portfolio. If a photographer specializes in taking 75mm photos of peoples faces within an urban environment blurred out in the background, I would probably say that photographer shoots "urban portrature." But if the larger work is really more about the urban environment and humans play a role in that work, then yeah I'd call it street photography.

[@ofeykalakar1]

Photos that depict human presence without the presence of people can be referred to as “liminal space”- a transition between action and inaction

[@NirmalveerSingh]

next video, street photography without streets

[@WatchesAndPhotography]

Thanks!

[@TatianaHopper]

🙏🏻

[@duringthemeanwhilst]

wow- great to see you dabbling with a Fuji (my cameras of choice) 🙂 The X-T4 is great, but if you get a chance try the X-E1 for a really stealthy kit, especially when paired with a 27mm pancake lens. and street is whatever you want it to be in my opinion. people / no people - doesn't really matter. but then I'm not a street photographer!

[@hanumanguy]

I've been shooting a lot of urban images in my small town and only just learning to get people in the shots, there is a level difficulty in a very small town i.e. people know they are being photographed :-). I kind of feel validated by this video. Loved the diner table with the ketchup bottle (color). Preferred the color for the tuxedos and b&w for the table and ash tray. Would like to have seen the ice cream cone image in color, was the sky crap?

[@iloveweezer69]

absolutely

[@numbersix8919]

There are so many great Hoppers in this world! I would like to know if this one is a Walloon. Also, if there are any other digital cameras she has had a good experience with. Very enjoyable video, I always look forward to them. Thank you.

[@sevsuk2011]

great great topic and continued content. This is something that I have been asking myself for a while. I think street photography is all about scenes and storytelling. So if that an empty cafe with light cascading shadows in the cafe, I think this is more 'street' that a person walking in front of a building.

[@RamonBrito]

Hello there great video hot take with the topic but I respect your view. From my perspective, i thought that street needed to have the influence of people at all times but now I can live without having human presences in my scene. I like to balance my photos with a subject whether it is a car or a tree etc....the subject brings balance to the image. From your research street really doesn't need to be with a person in it but purist would say otherwise. We all perceive the world differently. cheers and thank you again for this great video.

[@minimcune]

Just a fabulous video...I guess the only thing I'm now wondering is....do the definitions even HELP and are they relevant?

[@TUSKEN_KUSH]

Lol the Budweiser camera.

[@TatianaHopper]

😂

[@MrKravmagadude]

No or yes. Take your pick.

[@acloud4]

If a landscape image has a person in it is it still a landscape?

[@ulfjonsson2122]

Great video and images! Is Eugene Atget a street photographer?

[@spektrograf]

Nice exploration and intriguing video, as usual. Thank you for sharing! I think the terms "street photography" and "street photographer" are not fully defined and are fluid depending on the intent of the person using it. Given the fact that I often get the question, "What is street photography?" from friends who have no interest in photography, they might mostly be terms that photographers, and perhaps art curators, debate to define.

[@katjafeldmeier]

Interesting thoughts, thank you for sharing! Also, you can even shoot completely silently with the XT-4 by switching to the electronic shutter mode ;)

[@TatianaHopper]

Oh yes I realised that but I was kind of doing everything manual, I just thought it would an interesting challenge and it was because it was hard to focus on the run etc… ahah but it was great fun, thank you for watching!

[@MVCvevasI]

I haven’t seen your video, but I can say that it is indeed street photography

[@TatianaHopper]

🙌

[@alx7157]

Excellent vid, fam. Your channel is quite informative and personal. I don't go out of my way to find people to photo. If they end up in my street, that's cool. If not, same. Plus, get rid of that Budweiser and drink a nice pint of bitter. Cheers.

[@TatianaHopper]

Thanks! ahah the Budweiser is actually a camera :) all the best!

[@alx7157]

@@TatianaHopper How cool. We used to go up to Vancouver, BC to drink beer, and I was stunned that they sold Budweiser, albeit twice as strong as that 'Washington water" that we drank.

[@julinwert]

that's my dream camera right now :) looks so good!

[@TatianaHopper]

It’s a solid tool, I enjoyed it a lot but I definitely can’t lie and say I wouldn’t gravitate towards my canon or Leica I’m just used to them :)

[@julinwert]

@@TatianaHopper i'm so obsessed with how rich the colors are, usually I oversaturate everything a little and the fuji's seem to love that idea

[@Chris-qg9rz]

Peopleless pictures are great.

[@imdurruti]

Very interesting content and lovely images! it would be great if you make a video focusing on the edits you made to obtain that film-y look with the fuji xt4

[@TatianaHopper]

Hey Iban thank you so much, that’s a good topic perhaps one day :) glad to know you enjoyed the video, cheers for watching!

[@bcegerton]

The oldest argument in photography, it will never be resolved as there’s so many definitions. As the old saying goes, Street Photography is easy, but GOOD Street Photography isn’t. If an image includes a “ Human Presence “ it can be classed as Street

[@TatianaHopper]

💯 Brian I have to say after this challenge I just learned so much and to be honest I definitely understand what you say when it comes to good street photography is not easy :)

[@TatianaHopper]

💯 Brian I have to say after this challenge I just learned so much and to be honest I definitely understand what you say when it comes to good street photography is not easy :)

[@tonnib]

Great video and idea, approach to photography, one funny question, what font do you use in the video?

[@TatianaHopper]

Thank you Antun, about the font I actually don’t know the name at the moment but I got it from 1000 fonts I believe.

[@mariobravo8253]

You are a LEGEND in your own right 👏😁🙂

[@TatianaHopper]

Ahaha thank you so much Mario 🙏🏻

[@GaitaPonto]

The only thing I believe should not be absent in street photography is the city. The city is the epitome of reality built by humans and whatever angle, aspect or detail of it, having or not having people around, is street photography. Cars, dogs, restaurants, stores, bars, public spaces and buildings (and not private house interiors)...all these are part of the experience of leaving your home and becoming part of the "street" environment.

[@ricjohns545]

Please do a presentation on W. Eugene Smith.

[@olympus2OM]

Of course. Street is street.

[@krolldavid]

I love your results. This makes a lot of sense to me. I always felt funny trying to ‘stalk’ people in street photography. I somehow still feel you need consent if you intentionally take a photo of someone.

[@TatianaHopper]

Well if that’s how you feel I don’t see why you couldn’t stop someone on the street and ask for their permission I know you probably wouldn’t get some fleet of the moment actions or details but if it makes you feel more comfortable go ahead with it :)

[@valhallafallen]

I would say it's more Urban Photography. People presence and candid capture are the essence of Street Photography. Yes, limits are not rigid in photography, the most important is enjoying the work. And at the end, after certain time, isn't all photo documentary? Thank you for your video and many greetings 😊

[@TatianaHopper]

I fundamentally agree with you when you say when we look back after certain time it becomes a document because I realised that when I made the Saul Leiter video a few weeks back I just think it’s definitely a case of it becoming an impression of a given space and time, a document in a way, thank you for watching 😊

[@pierrelaviolette670]

Is street photography without people still street photography? Only if there's a street in the photo 🙂

[@victorrodz3]

nice

[@craigcarlson4022]

Sounds like it was a good experience. We all cut our teeth somewhere, sometime. ;-)

[@NEBUERMIL]

so....would you say this Fuji's digital stuff is a suitable and economical replacement for 35mm film? (asking the real questions lol)

[@TatianaHopper]

Depends, for me it doesn’t, if I remember correctly I had fun shooting with it but I still have the opportunity to shoot film, I prefer it and I can afford it for the time being. For some these cameras will replace the workflow of film due to costs and other personal preferences of the person. So the answer to your question is no if you ask me personally since I personally won’t use it (for the time being), but yes in general because I think it can be suitable as an economical replacement for film - hope it’s not too confusing :)

[@bjhelder]

Maybe Urban Still Life?

[@hollywoodeastchannel]

I like the style of Fan Ho people are in his shots but are more like shadows within their environment. The focus is on how they relate or interact with buildings, machines, nature etc. you rarely see faces just outlines or blurred shadows of the human presence. Unlike Bruce Gilden who is all up in peoples faces flash and all. Shooting in the streets of New York City he just walks head on in the crowd BAM deer in head lights look, BAM another one, BAM caught someone in anger at him. Wouldn't surprise me if some one knocks him out for his approach to taking their picture. Bottom line is you got to be careful taking complete strangers pictures.

[@Sreybk]

I shoot the street with or without people. As long as you are in the street somewhere, what exactly is it?

[@TatianaHopper]

What exactly is it, I think it’s really quite an open concept some definitions I read said you don’t even need a street so I think it’s one of those things that it will be each to their own definition of what street photography is, cheers for watching Keith!

[@michelvondenhoff9673]

Fun fact is that the Dutch and English Wikipedia sites contradict eachother on the definition.

[@thedondeluxe6941]

Honestly, most of my favourite street photography work does not involve people... except behind the camera, of course.

[@ingobohn]

Street photography does not necessarily need to have humans in it. Moreover, for me (!) it is mostly much more interesting to have street photography „only“ with TRACES of humans in it.

[@TatianaHopper]

For me it was what grabbed me in this idea, the idea of having traces or clues to something, power of suggestion like I mentioned which was so important. Appreciate your thoughts and thank you for watching ✨

[@TedPartrick]

Street photography is what you get when you are on the street and experiencing it?

[@TatianaHopper]

Makes total sense, agreed , thank you for watching Ted!

[@danielgeorge3896]

Does it even Matter how you call it?

[@TatianaHopper]

It doesn’t

[@soffmusic9655]

this chic is bad ass.

[@Magneira]

It's not silly. Silly is having a pasm dial.

[@TatianaHopper]

Gosh my brother has one of the latest canon R’s and I swear it was like if someone had asked me to pilot an UFO 😅

[@MikeKleinsteuber]

The question should really be: "is street photography with people still street photography ?". After all there's no reference to people in the term 'street photography'....

[@tylerdurden2832]

I've never shot people.

[@andrewhoulihan7940]

Without streets its not street photography? Is that that simple

[@Blackmind0]

Yes, photographing on the street is street, also without people...i am photographing since 1985, mostly people in studio/outdoor, but i also love photographing on the street, some days there are really less people in the city can i see more colors, lines, graphics.... i am looking for the "young" so called streetphotographers on YT or other social media, for me i see more than 60% of them doing not street-photography, they running between many people in cities, "shooting" like guns, sometimes hidden, from the hip, not looking through the cam and catching lot of poor pics, boring, no stories, no colors, no lines, no shadows, no shapes..nothing...they just showing off their gear and talking blablabla in videos....sorry, they are not street-photographers, not even photographers because there is nothing interesting to see...just data.... i am a fan of your channel..🙂 greets from austria BM

[@walkingmanvideo9455]

Of course, I don't believe street photography requires a human presence. Street Photography is photos of the streets whether there are people present or not. I venture out to make photos, not to specifically adhere to a genre of photography. If street photography requires a human presence then what is photography of street and surrounds without people? A new genre perhaps "people less photography"?????

[@TatianaHopper]

🙌

[@badcattitude4902]

Ask me if I like your channel!

[@antoniocastillo2691]

35 mm Leica dugital

[@streets28mm]

With that definition of presence, then I can take a picture of the farm field and call it street photography, a shot of a tiger in a cage would be street photography also and so on! For me the street should have people, otherwise it is a cityscape or mundane, .... Let's call them what they are instead of creating a "blurry line" definition! 🍻

[@antoniocastillo2691]

Wuawwww Barberá shoph Photograpy

[@johnabbott5097]

So Ms.Hopper is photography an art?

[@TatianaHopper]

To me it is, to many it isn’t, such are the ways of the world.

[@maxbashyrov5785]

no, it's not.

[@DixonLu]

If you like the XT4, try the XPro or X100 series. They feel more familiar to rangefinder shooters. Also, isn't street photography without people just poorly composed cityscape 😁?

[@mortimersnerd8044]

Composition has nothing to do with subject matter.

[@DixonLu]

@@mortimersnerd8044 hence the "😁"

[@WSNO]

Street photography without people is a category of liminal space photography, which (despite the dumb clowns who wanted to make it a generic horror thing) is merely a word for spaces that are familiar while being different in a way that's difficult to place at first glance. In some cases its an old, extravagantly decorated fast food dining rooms when you're used to modern colorless and bland ones, other times its a place that you'd expect many other people there, but they're absent, such as an empty mall. Congrats on your excellent foray into liminal space photography, you're a natural

[@theundefinedphotographer]

I think the word "liminal" has definitely evolved over time. Liminal means a space that's transitional, such as doorways, airports, train stations, hallways, etc. Harry Gruyaert has a great photo book called "Last Call" featuring pictures he took in airports. But people have applied to term to spaces that you described, like spaces that are vaguely familiar, sometimes nostalgic. Sometimes there's a feeling of emptiness (and hence also why some people have adopted the term for eerie, "horror" settings). So in a way, liminal never really had an emotional connotation attached to it since it's just describing a type of space in architecture, but as a culture, we kind of gave emotionality to the term. Some find liminal spaces comforting, while some take it to mean something unnerving.

[@ofeykalakar1]

My thoughts exactly- same comment from me too

[@Bliparama]

No! Street photography without people is urban / city scape/ building abstract photography. People is what gives the street life.

[@TatianaHopper]

Cheers for watching and sharing your thoughts Phil!

[@Termidryna]

I call it humanless street photography and think sometimes it's even necessary to avoid a person in a frame.

[@daviddyephotography]

excellent summary on the importance of avoiding boxes and exploring

[@TatianaHopper]

Thank you so much David!