I know that the title of this article might sound a bit surprising. Specially because nowadays, film photography is experiencing an unprecedented resurgence and also because the number of people practicing street photography has increased significantly in the past 3-4 years. However, in my humble opinion, I do not see much film street photography out there, at least not much as I would like to.
The meaning of Street Photography to me.
I should start by sharing with you what is the meaning of street photography to me. Since street photography is a genre of photography, and photography is an artistic expression of the human mind, it is very difficult, and sometimes even controversial, to define it. But I’m pretty sure what it means to me. In my opinion, Street Photography is the art of capturing a candid/unstaged instant in time of real people, in the real world in a real situation. But this is not enough, it also has to tell a story or trigger some sort of emotion in the viewer. Only if these elements are there, then is a street photograph to me.
According to this “very personal” definition of Street Photography, things like staged street portraits, architectural photography, and urban landscapes, are very close cousins of street photography but not quite the same thing. And here is where I feel that the art of documenting emotion-triggering candid photos of people’s daily lives on film is a lost art.
What I can see out there.
Most of the work by analogue photographers that I see out there does not include this type of real candid images. Most of them are photos of empty roads, buildings, nature, cars, the sea, and so on. And this is completely fine, at the end of the day, people should photograph whatever makes them happy. But still, this leaves me wanting to see more film street photographs.
Why this is the case?
I would like to know why this is the case. Why do not too many photographers practice Street Photography using film? My number one guess is that analogue photography can be an expensive and slow process. And since capturing a good fleeting moment on the streets can be very challenging, maybe most analogue photographers feel like using digital for this type of shots is better, and they save the analogue photos only for situations where they can control the subject and composition a bit better. Going through entire photo walks without getting a single “keeper” has always been part of street photography and maybe most photographers feel that is not worth “wasting” the film in this way.
My recommendation.
I’m not saying that there are no film street photographs out there, I’m just saying that I would like to see more. I’m pretty confident when I say that if more digital street photographers would try to capture the same type and quality of images using an analogue camera, every now and then, instead of a digital one, they would improve significantly their art. If you are reading this and you are a street photographer, I would really encourage you to do so. You will learn and improve a lot. Do not get me wrong though, I use my digital camera for my street photography too, but I try to use my analogue one as much as I can.
What do you think, do you agree with me, or do you think that actually, Street Photography in its candid, purest form is well represented in the amateur/hobbyist film photography community? I would love to hear your opinion in the comments section below.
All of the photos in this article were taken by me using my Pentax MX and Ilford HP5 Plus or Kodak Tri-X.
Till next time, yours sincerely
Armando Caballero – Street Photographer
Visit Armando’s website here
You can also check his Instagram account here
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Nick Ambrose on The Lost Art of Film Street Photography – By Armando Cabellero
Comment posted: 13/08/2022
Comment posted: 13/08/2022
Safiyyah on The Lost Art of Film Street Photography – By Armando Cabellero
Comment posted: 13/08/2022
Comment posted: 13/08/2022
Murray Kriner on The Lost Art of Film Street Photography – By Armando Cabellero
Comment posted: 13/08/2022
Your point is well reasoned and fully grounded, yet I wonder that many might have the skill set of what once was an art in its own right. The Golden Age of Cinema had some very seasoned men and women who utilized ever resource then available, to the Apex of why we still treasure many of these films. Certain the cost for development of film may still be the reason that much is seen, though I would applaud any and all who made the effort.
Tim Bradshaw on The Lost Art of Film Street Photography – By Armando Cabellero
Comment posted: 13/08/2022
(On the other hand, Tri-X, at over £11 a roll and allowing £2 for processing, is now approaching 40p a frame), which is just stupid.)
Comment posted: 13/08/2022
Daniel Castelli on The Lost Art of Film Street Photography – By Armando Cabellero
Comment posted: 13/08/2022
In your opinion, who are the photographers that best illustrate your point of view?
My photography journey was influenced by the work of Kertesz, Erwitt and Capa. They each represented a view of mankind that always showed respect for both the subject and the viewer. I never liked the work of Cartier-Bresson, IMHO he really didn't people as humans, but just as subjects (I can hear the Leica police coming after me to take away my M2!)
Perhaps in today's hyper-fast pace society, the work of Kertesz and others of his generation are hopelessly outdated .
A lot of work I see by younger, contemporary photographers seem to lack a cohesive theme. Maybe this is because of the pace of our society, and they are showing us what it's like to be a part of it.
From the viewpoint of digital, it's almost SOP to shoot dozens of images and work the final image in Photoshop. With film, you need to get it correct on the street, with digital, you've moved the 'moment' to your home studio.
I respect my subjects. I'm trying to show people are people. As an American, I try to make connections when I travel that we share. I want to peel away the habits & mannerisms that define me as a liberal American, and I want to do the same with people I meet when I travel. A child enjoying a scoop of ice cream on a hot summer day in my hometown is the same as a child enjoying ice cream on a hot summer day in Florence.
As you mentioned, film is slow. This gives us time to look & see, to evaluate light and shadow, to really think. We have 36 pics, we need to use them wisely.
Now, I'd like to ask you a 'photo nerd' question. What lens do you mostly use for your shots (I use a 40mm lens on my Leica M2.). I like your style, your camera is a great size for discreet photography without appearing sneaky.
Dan
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Comment posted: 13/08/2022
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Justin Midwest on The Lost Art of Film Street Photography – By Armando Cabellero
Comment posted: 16/08/2022
Here's an example of a recent photo-walk vid: https://youtu.be/Hl1w5NZLbdw
Comment posted: 16/08/2022
Julian on The Lost Art of Film Street Photography – By Armando Cabellero
Comment posted: 13/01/2023
However, what I do not enjoy so much is street photography devoid of humans. I have seen a lot of architecture and landscapes (ok, perhaps these are not exactly street photography, but you get my meaning) streets and buses, parks and trees and lamp posts and railway stations, derelict places and planes taking off, but it seems to me that there are plenty of places and things with no humans to be seen. Or too few.
In my amateur opinion, the humans are part of the street. They are the reason on why the street exists, in the first place. We built those buildings, that park, those derelict stuff of long ago, and we built them for us and for those to come after us. Street photography is also some sort of a frozen in time moment which should tell things to those who will replace us on this Earth. Of course we enjoy these moments ourselves, by displaying them publicly on our websites and forums, but these images are actually a repository of the days we live in. We may well not be aware of this purpose while we're happy-snappy on the street, but they are nonetheless pages in that chronicle and we are but some "chroniclers" writing with film and light those pages.
I do hope my ranting is not out of order here. I did enjoyed your photographs, Armando, thank you so much for sharing !
Best of,