Street photography has a rich history and has produced numerous influential artists over the years. Here's a list of some of my inspirational street photographers and a brief note on what makes each of them stand out for me. I've linked their names to my favorite YouTube video of them.
Gary Winogrand: Gary had this knack for catching the chaotic beauty of city life, especially in 60s New York. His photos are a bit like jazz - unpredictable, but always hitting the right notes.
Vivian Maier: Vivian's story is pretty unique. By day, she was a nanny, but she had this secret life as an incredible street photographer. The world only really got to know her work after she passed, and it's nothing short of amazing.
Fan Ho: Fan Ho's photos of 50s and 60s Hong Kong are just magical. The way he played with light and shadow is stunning. If you've never seen his work, it's like stepping into a timeless world.
William Klein: Klein's captured the raw, the real, and the chaotic while not caring much for the "rules." Used wide angles, embraced the blur, and made imperfections cool.
Henri Cartier-Bresson: A fixture no doubt. Think of him as the pioneer of the perfect moment in photography. He mastered this idea of the "decisive moment", capturing those split seconds that say so much.
Robert Doisneau: Robert's photos are a beautiful representation of Parisian life. They're filled with charm, a touch of humor, and lots of warmth.
Rebecca Lepkoff: Rebecca gave us a peek into New York's Lower East Side back in the day. Diversity, energy, real life - her shots had it all.
Walker Evans: Evans is renowned for his candid shots of the Great Depression era, capturing the raw grit of everyday American life. His work is less about glam and more about the real deal: people, streets, and the stories they hold. His subway series and Depression-era photos are gold.
Jill Freedman: Jill brought out the soul of New York in the '70s and '80s. If you want to feel the city's heartbeat from that time, just dive into her work.
Alan Schaller: Alan, based out of London, has this striking style that blends sharp contrasts with deep human connections. He's an Leica Ambassador and is a great teacher of his style.
Robert Frank: Robert traveled the U.S., and with his camera, he told a story from his perspective of America in the 1950s. It wasn't always pretty, but his book, "The Americans", changed the way many people saw photography.
Bruce Gilden: If you're into close-ups that are incredibly raw, Bruce is your go-to. Walking through New York, he'd get right up to people and capture them in the most candid ways. It's hard not to be captivated by his direct style.