What makes a Great Street Photograph?

[@Nayson]

One of the anecdotal tales of ‘hit rates’ that stuck with me was Robert Frank’s seminal street photography work “The Americans” where he took 27 THOUSAND photographs for the project and whittled them down to just 83 for the book, and this was during the film days where you really had to work hard to take 27,000 shots.

[@ForeverBrooklynNYC]

Great anecdote - thank you!

[@camali_ch]

That's wild. Thanks for sharing this!

[@DebiSenGupta]

Thanks. A fascinating story

[@lifesbeautiful3024]

Surely, not mention needing a lot of money to spend on film for his project

[@Nayson]

@@lifesbeautiful3024 he got a grant from the Guggenheim Foundation. They covered his expenses (not just film but fuel, food, accommodation etc) for two years to complete the book. I don’t think you’d get that kind of funding for a book today, but 1950s America was a boom time. The ultimate point is you shouldn’t be afraid to cull your work, the best names in the field did it and perhaps that’s what made them so good.

[@mata4r43un]

Sean, you said "I hope this is help" This is BEYOND helpful. This is the stuff that makes me follow your channel for years. This is priceless information and I learn a lot just by watching this video.

[@simonbnyc]

There are some good observations here but my advice is even simpler. Don't overthink anything. Many of the finest photographers like Eggleston, Shore, Leiter, Haas, Herzog and Gruyaert produced masterpieces that never went beyond one or two layers of interest (by layers I'm not referring to composition) and they weren't really seeking out anything beyond this. It was an approach closer to pop art than documentary photography. I suppose this is why they couldn't really be categorized as street photographers today. If your goal is just to document beauty in the everyday world then there's nothing wrong with that. If you have higher aspirations then that's OK too. Just don't worry about "hit rates", "bangers" and "keepers". None of those things are important in the long run. Oh, and never, ever be concerned about having your work described as "boring". That shouldn't be a concern. Maybe call your photographs "austere" instead.

[@DebiSenGupta]

This is probably one of the best videos I have seen on KZbin. It simplifies what a great photograph is and how we can try to get something which maybe one day be considered to be a great picture.

[@tsitsagi1173]

Right now for me it's the best channel about photography. Sean is not only an extremely good photographer but he explains things in such a good way. Thanks a lot!

[@streetphotographyguy]

Mastering layering in Street Photography is like mastering gourmet cuisine in cooking. Great video as always Sean! Very insightful.

[@RolandKaufmann]

Love how well you explained the layers. It has really made me look at my images much more critically. Instagram is loaded with single layer images so when I come across a photo that has 3-4 layers it’s amazing. Really inspires me to level up the skills I have by increasing my scrutiny of them.

[@johnwaine56]

I wish someone had told me this 10/15 years ago! I might have stuck to photography more consistently, and not given up on it so many times because I kept producing so many boring images without knowing why. I've instinctively thought all this to myself but never felt it was valid. I'm getting too old now to make full use of this wisdom. If you are young enough to make a photographic life then this is a great mantra to follow.

[@LevyCarneiro]

Don’t stop, sir. Everything changed for me when I realized photography for me is a source of inspiration and not something I have to be great at. It’s just something for me, not for others.

[@mawavoy]

Great opportunities for great images occur randomly not necessarily evenly distributed in time. You may have any number of opportunities; the goal should be to be ready. In sport, regardless of the type of competition, there are great players that never hold the championship trophy or world record. Society places an extremely high premium on the penultimate. To much for my taste. I remember when there were consolation games played. Now the second best teams in the world just sit with their heads hung low, not fully appreciating their achievements.

[@peterarens9614]

Thank you for your compassion for us. You are the real Inspiration for Beginner- and Hobbyphotographer. (Sorry if my English is not 100% correct) Best wishes from Germany🙂

[@michaelschmitt5413]

Very well explained and laid out. Street photography as I have observed it, is very diverse and varies in style. For me, it's not easy to say what a great street photographs looks like. I think it more subjective than objective. "In 1757, British sceptic and essayist David Hume wrote, 'Beauty is no quality in things themselves: It exists merely in the mind which contemplates them; and each mind perceives a different beauty' (Essay XXXII, Of the Standard of Taste)". [from Writing Explained]

[@Quietcloud]

This was the single best explanation of street photography I have ever heard. I have often been mystified by the dozens of photos posted in FB street photography groups because I can see no reason why they were shot in the first place. Now I can at least try to articulate what I see as a good street photo and perhaps understand where to start in learning the genre for myself.

[@nomanCyclewala]

exactly. sometimes people take "street photography" as just photographing on the streets, random shots with no intentions or purpose behind it.

@@nomanCyclewala Not to say there is anything wrong with that. Our living spaces should be documented. If nothing else, I will look back with nostalgia at my bland shots of empty streets of my hometown once I will have lost my hair and teeth.

[@TheTuscaloosa]

I could watch Sean everyday. Nobody is more philosophical about photography.

[@almostgreen9498]

I can’t tell you how helpful this was. This is why street photography is a spiritual practice!

[@mawavoy]

Thanks for producing a video that is worth reviewing once a week for 10 consecutive weeks, or until the concept is completely internalized. The great image will never be captured if it is not recognized. Thanks again!

[@WarKrieg]

Been a street photographer for 6 years and this may be the most important photography video ive ever watched. It's exactly what I need right now unlock my creativity. I have adopted any one or two of those layers more or less consciously at various times and of course have instinctively found that alchemy over the years. But seeing it all broken down like this feels like an epiphany. I look forward to putting all this un practice! While I will always be guided by instinct, I think proceeding with more intentionality based on these layers will bake that practice into my instincts, the way you train for anything until it becomes second nature. So, huge thanks!

[@lpark8]

This is such a great way of thinking about the practice of photography and what makes a great image 🙏👏 reminds me of Randall Jarrell’s line about poetry: “A good poet is someone who manages, in a lifetime of standing out in thunderstorms, to be struck by lightning five or six times; a dozen or two dozen times and he is great.”

[@toine1915]

Hi, Sean. This is a very strong video. A video we can all learn from. I want to start street photography but without the people. Actually, I want to photograph the mundane and abstract subjects on the street. I have been photographing for almost 35 years, so I have the basics reasonably under control. In the photography I did for this I had a rate of 9 out of 10. But there I had everything under control, the subject, the light, and the emotion. I photographed black and white still lifes. But now that I've started shooting on the street, I've found out how difficult it is to take a good photo. I have just started but I hope, I am now 63 years old, that I can make one booklet with good photos. But I don't put pressure on myself and see that I improve every time I go out. I'm not there yet but as long as I see improvement I will keep going. Thank you for this nice video that I really enjoyed watching. A warm greeting from the Netherlands, Antoine.

[@ForeverBrooklynNYC]

Great attitude and approach - Best of luck to you!

[@toine1915]

@@ForeverBrooklynNYC Thank you very much, my friend.

[@fiizzy3884]

It's a year later, how are you getting on? I hope you've made your booklet and are still taking photos?

[@speliotis]

The Master Class..... You explain things so eloquently.... & what a great opportunity to go to TUSCANY & create powerful images with good food and wonderful people....

[@randallhartman9515]

This might be the greatest vieo EVER about what we do as photographers. Thanks for hitting it out of the park and allowing to catch it.

[@BGTuyau]

As another commenter put it, the layers concept is "a great framework for thinking about photography" and is nicely explained and illustrated here -and as such contrasts with the work of your typical KZbin bloviator with a British accent. All that plus encouraging words and the "hit rate" stats! Thanks ...

[@joljol1211]

I am watching this video over and over again, it really resonates with me. You’re undoubtedly not “only” a great photographer, but also a terrific teacher!👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@simon359]

One thing about street photography to keep in mind, is it’s hard enough just to get a visual moment. You can look all day and maybe find one particular subject, lighting, and background that synchronizes into something magical! The serendipity moment. But you have to be out there shooting in order to achieve it!

[@MrSwbywater]

Thank you. I think I often see social media pages suffering from the Dunning Krugar effect, and they can giving a feeling a inferiority. Your video reflects the real world and a good insight to layers of street photography. I’ve recently appreciated how using reels on instagram with 5 or so images helps to tell a street story. When I review my photos after a day, one photo just doesn’t convey what I saw or felt, or the atmosphere, noise of the scene. But putting a mini story together works. This I think is a modern development, in the past it has been the single image. We might be looking back in 20 years or so critiquing instagram reels….. who knows.

[@petermcginty3636]

Thank you so much, truly helpful. I was lucky enough to spend 9 weeks in Greece, and photographed on most days. I have just started going through my images thinking, "Maybe these are good enough for a family Photobook, but they are not so great." Then, after about 100 images, I found 1 banger. This is probably a really good outcome. I still have 3000 images to go through, now. Based on your video, I will view these in a different light. Many thanks. 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@paultracks2529]

Best explanation of “hit rate” and layering in street photography to be found anywhere!!! Much appreciated🙏.

[@RenelFrazer]

This is probably the most enlightening video I’ve watched about street photography. I needed this

[@tohellwithtradition]

Thanks for this valuable lesson. Slightly off-topic: I am grateful that there are still videos out there that don’t smash you in your face with constant jump cuts 🙏🙂

[@realonomicsnet2379]

Sean, a wonderfully inspiring and instructive talk, both in focus at the same moment.

[@AndrewFulo]

I love how you've captured the essence of street photography in this video. This was well articulated and thought out in explaining what compelling street photography can be.

[@Serendipity5129]

Thankyou! I already know I will go back and watch this video again and again as a reminder.. and I feel if I went through your images I would find more than 1 or 50 that would have all the elements x

[@Buttercup697]

The Alchemy Layer… that’s when the Photo Gods have looked down upon you and given you something special 😉📷

[@AlanBrownPhotography]

I always enjoy your videos Sean and get so much out of them. Much of what you say matches my own beliefs, but sometimes you just need that voice from the outside to act as a reminder or affirmation that we should be comfortable with who we are.

[@isaiahsarju]

Another great video that inspires me to go slow, focus on my craft, and ignore the noise. Thank you 🙏🏾

[@christoftimmermann7707]

For me the best video since years. How you explain it, is just excellent.

[@Nightinglass]

this was one of the most straightforward and patient lesson on street photography i've ever seen. Thank you very much. I really appreciate you sharing your experience.

[@ales_krejci]

I think you can work it in backwards direction. If secret sauce equals to emotion (which for me it does) then concentrete just on that and if you are lucky other aspects might click from time to time. Because the other way around it will be much more rare to click. And also - emotional image with shitty colors and light is still miles more interesting that technically perfect image about nothing.

[@alemazza87]

Wow! By far, this is the video where I learnt the most about photography!

[@yveskeroack1612]

Fabulous guide to street photography, short, easy to remember and setting realistic expectations, thanks so much for this Sean!

[@ethos79]

It’s amazing how you articulate whats in my mind and I can’t express it. The layers concept has always been in my mind including the magical sauce at the end. I just couldn’t express it into words like how you do.

[@clickmaniac1]

As a street photog of 50 years, this hits the bullseye. These are the way i rate my images when editing .

[@killthomas8373]

There’s so many photography channels around but none are as fantastically well thought out and thought provoking as yours!

[@michaeld387]

Love it. This is a great framework for thinking about photos. I would also add another aspect to the alchemy layer that I don’t think you mentioned. That would be a sequence or some thread tying a group of images together. I don’t remember the photographer but there was a series of pictures of people who were walking at a certain in NYC taken years apart. Individually the images were unspectacular having just 1 or 2 of layers you’ve described here. But as a series they were all elevated and really brought up interesting thoughts on human habits and routines.

[@frankyfarset]

This video was very informative and beautifully crafted. As you stated, i definitely experienced and feeling of relief after receiving what you had to say. It does help me think deeper and more freely about street photography. So thank you much for this amazing video!

[@localnavy433]

Oh man this helped so much. I am not a street photographer but I am a landscape photographer and the layers you are talking can totally be applied to that genre as well. The biggest key that I took away is the hit rate. I am lucky if I get 3 great images a year but man I have lots of good to ok ones lol

[@gilbertwalker6769]

Thanks, Sean, for another really helpful video! I also sensed relief at your insistence that it's not realistic to expect to make a "great" image every time we hit the streets. I appreciate your encouragement in the creative process.

[@douglasyoung3915]

Love this. Applies to more than photography. Keep sharing your wisdom Sean.

[@seantuck]

Thanks for the support my friend 🙏

[@DGLuxton]

Gosh, this is so interesting! 16 minutes, but obviously so much thought behind this. This video is a brilliant reference for self-assessment with enough objectivity built in to dodge the spectre of self doubt.

[@RenelFrazer]

I like the tap the shoulder moment approach

[@retropixer]

Clouds parted, and I saw the light! Thank you ❤

[@drjackpicone5520]

Sean, eloquently articulated - thank you.

[@ivanosrin2126]

This metaphorical approach to' layering' is really novel and useful. Very helpful to organize the jumbled thought processing trying to assess the shot

[@photoquent]

I don't often take notes watching a KZbin video, but this was one of those occasions.

[@simonstiefel9988]

Thanks so much for this video, Sean! It’s kind of obvious in hindsight that you can’t produce masterpieces every day. But calling this out the way you did helped me to put less pressure on myself when posting these “visual notes” on social media. Thank you!

[@sadmansakib2266]

Thank you so much for talking about the activity you love the most!

[@_oneclickaway_9862]

Your content and approach is so spot on. What a photographer (amateur or professional) needs to hear or maybe has forgot along the way. Congrats and keep creating such great videos 👏🏻

[@FrankEmil007]

Have Parable vol. 1. Just ordered vol.2!

[@gavtalk958]

Single best video on photography I've seen in a few years

[@yakamo]

I always get so excited when i see a new video from you showing up. Thank you so much.

[@robertrice1689]

Very compelling and thoughtful. I’ve photographed for over 50 years and have come to realize most of us are like blind squirrels. Even blind squirrels find an acorn sometime. Exceptional artists like Henri Cartier-Bresson however, produce an abundance of lifetime images.

[@hansconley]

I have watched this video several time to let this sink in. I feel like I'm at a crossroad in my photography journey trying to figure out what is needed to crossover to the next level. Thanks for this video !

[@mapakern3979]

Very interesting approach to categorizing your photography! Nevertheless, I am not very sure if I really agree with your idea of an alchemy layer. If I understood it correctly, the alchemy layer corresponds almost to what Roland Barthes calls the "punctum" in his essay "La Chambre claire": a detail or a vibe from a photograph that draws the viewer's attention to the photo. He separates that from the "studium", the composition of a photograph. Thus, the punctum is a subjective category and not really something in the photographer's power; it isn't even the same for every viewer. I feel like there is a same thing going on with the alchemy layer: the image by Jill Freedman you shared doesn't really do a lot for me; I don't feel the "alchemy". And last but not least I really don't think that the four layers are necessary for a photographer to go down in history. This is a whole other story because it very much exclusively depends on market logics and not at all on quality or talent. Maybe the photographers just got the right agent, maybe there was that one edition of Life or something featuring their work. Don't get me wrong, the photographic masterpieces we know today don't lack composition or even if you want alchemy, but they are mostly known for reasons that have little to do with the image quality and very much what the cultural field just wants. Just look at Vivian Maier you're citing here: nobody cared for her until 2008 - and that's not only because we just now rightfully recognize her talent, but maybe more because street photography gained a lot of traction in the 21st century and because of clever marketing. No alchemy, no other layers are relevant in this case. Your Meyerowitz example shows it to some degree too: you said yourself actually it's not a really great photograph. And you can be sure there are thousands of people who have such a photo some place in their photo library. The difference: they are not Joel Meyerowitz.

[@AmbercoolPhotography]

Layering is alot of fun. You have to take hundreds if not thousands of photos to develop it. Mostly, it's mastering human nature. Once you get a good feel for people, you will have to be patient and predict how the shot will happen.

[@sdixonmedia]

Love these styles of videos Sean. Talking about things no one else does from your heart. ❤

[@IsThatYouSimon]

The photo from Joel M. is outstanding, it’s one of my fav from all photographers. So much elements resonate together to build a painting picture. Touches of colors with the dresses, the steel chain with entry of the underground make the triangle, the people and expressions/body language, the design of the clothes and the cars, the colors of the clothes and the cars, the bus, everything is just crazy !

[@Tridente01a]

Sean, i wanna thank you so much for speaking about these "layers". Now i know first time realy what all about spoke so often. Sorry for my bad english 😢

[@MrBthames2000]

Heard you today on the fujilove podcast. Thank you for what you’re doing for photography, sure, but for mankind even more.

[@lyndsaywheelans]

What a great perspective. I’ve just subscribed and so had not heard your visual notebook description. Thanks!

[@streets28mm]

Thank you, hope it helps me!

[@curiousabout1]

Thank you for this! Not for allowing me to be more patient with my results, but for pointing out clear concepts that I should be more mindful of. Extremely helpful!

[@teguhprasetyo850]

❤ Love the contents Sean. Thanks for sharing idea to us.

[@smokinitro]

As always, well written and produced Sean - thank you.

[@schwunsch]

I really appreciate your way of thinking photography through and giving it a kind of philosophical side. I cannot understand when people don't want to improve their skills or "get to the core of it" and instead just want quick success and some "nice" pictures. Your words are truly inspiring and a great source of passion for the art behind it. Thank you!

[@juancarlosguzman2827]

Thanks for sharing, next time I will grab my camera I will think about these layers!

[@montanaguy51]

Thank You, I learned a lot from this episode. I can’t wait to start applying these ideas to my photography. Travis

[@genehilmu8189]

Superb. One of the best imo. Your own photography has really kicked up to another level imo.

[@musabbirchowdhury6678]

such a wonderfully explained everything about layering.... cheers

[@davekosiur5162]

You and Josh should get together and write a book (an ebook?) about "layers of interest". Great concept!

[@CyrianAgujo]

This is probably one of the best videos about street photography that I've watched! Thank you for this Sean!

[@robertmiller5648]

Thanks for the deliberate way you went through the layers. This really helped me take a critical eye to my own photos and to plan for my next excursion. Your approach to teaching is spectacular.

[@photographicamateur]

Thanks for unraveling the wooly thoughts in my mind. Starting to finally transcend the pre- occupation with technique and gear , having a guiding concept like the one you so simply set out, will be very useful. And will be an effective antidote to impostor syndrome.

[@ernestthomas9406]

thanx for the advice, I always thought some of my images were bland now I know what to look for

[@andreasklindt7144]

Saul Leiter used reflections, condensation and raindrops on a window as layers, or even negative space. Some of my favorites he shot from inside a car to get at least one layer already by default.

[@ThiagoFerreira-jn4td]

This is gold! Thank you for helping us find balance in what we love to do.

[@ChrisSaunders]

I like this model of thinking about images, thank you for sharing! I think this works in landscape too - I heard another photographer talk about “postcard photos” and it made me think about my work in a different context. I realized I had a lot of “postcards” - layer 1 images that were technically correct, well exposed, nice lighting and balance but miss the other layers. I will carry this new model with me and think about the layers when I’m pressing the shutter button, thank you again for sharing!

[@stephanbartholomeus6090]

This is just what I wanted to see and hear about street photography, so true and interesting. The Hit rate and the layers are so learn full. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and expertise

[@matchoo812]

I feel like this perfectly articulates a distillation of all the things I've been slowly learning and thinking about street photography over the last few years since I started doing it. Really fantastic work, Sean.

[@philthehuman]

Absolutely fantastic definition and explanation. Thank you

[@alandargie9358]

Excellent video... very thought provoking and inspirational. Thank you.

[@UlyssesAokiPhoto]

Hi Sean! Amazing video attempting the breakdown of a great image. (I say attempt, because this is such a complex topic...) Really made sense how you condensed light, color, etc. into “aesthetics" and I might have to steal that from you...

[@GavinDavidson]

Thanks Sean. I’m going to think about my street photography in layers from here on 🙏🏼💫

[@matthiasice]

Hit rate is always a funny and fuzzy term. When I'm shooting moving vehicles, I use it for just "usable" because there are just SO MANY shots that are unusable when you're doing 20+ shot bursts while panning. First time I tried panning shots, I took about 500 shots. Maybe 7-8 were even in focus and the car had no motion blur. Of those, I kept 1.

[@gohumberto]

"The harder I practise, the luckier I get" - Gary Player. A high percentage of my favourite Street photos have a luck element to them. The right people came into shot at the right time. An unusual character did something unusual while I was ready with my camera. It's a lot like fishing (and golf) though. You need to be out there fishing if you want to to get lucky and catch a fish. You never get a lucky photograph sat at home watching TV.

[@mcdull9663]

Thanks it was always inspiring and rewarding to view your video. They are refreshing and always learn something new.

[@edopassenger]

Highly inspirational and challenging. I like watching street photography work, even if it's not my first choice of genre for my style. I think that I'm finding much in this video also for other kind of photography. You give me a very clear view of how to find and overcome limitations in my work. Thanks!

[@cwarfield]

Lovely expectation setting, and framework for a “hit.” Thanks!

[@maartenrots3875]

Well put Sean, great advice for any photographer, seasoned or newcomer, street or studio. Also, I love seeing how you keep making changes to how you produce your videos, both the content and the production quality are top level, really well done.

[@seantuck]

Thanks so much my friend 🙏🙏

[@gmmigge]

This is an amazing video, real street photography wisdom. Thank you!

[@asantatrafm]

Happy to notice you wear colour shirt 😊 So intersting the way to make streetphotography 😊

[@PeterArnold1969]

Thanks for making this video, Sean. I found this really interesting. I never thought of a street photo having layers, but it all makes perfect sense.

[@johnjacob7287]

This certainly helped declutter my mind.. thanks for sharing 🙏🏽