Matt Stuart's street photography
Matt Stuart, with his mix of quirky and accidental images, is quickly becoming one of today's best street photographers. In this video, he explains how he works
Author: Olivier Laurent
21 Oct 2010 Tags: Street
Matt Stuart has, over the year, made his name as an original member of a new class of street photographers. Most recently, one of his quirky images was chosen to appear on the cover of Street Photography Now, a book edited by Sophie Howarth and Stephen McLaren. The book is a survey of the leading street photographers of the past twenty years - such as Bruce Gilden, Martin Parr and Alex Webb.
This month, he was interviewed by Spine TV, a site that published four videos each month, "investigating all forms of life around the world." In this Stolen Moments video, Stuart explains how he works as a street photographer, managing to find the "crasiest" scenes in everyday's reality.
"Primarily you need to know that you're not doing anything wrong," he explains. "Primarily, you need to know that you're not hurting anybody. And that what you're doing... you're confident about, you're happy with. And then, you don't kind give off bad vibes. You don't give off fear. We're animals. We smell fear."
View the video here or visit the Stolen Moments page on Spine TV. Video used with the permission of Spine TV
Comments
I will try and takes those tips on board. I'm forever kicking myself for not being brave. I've missed some amazing street moments that now look amazing in my head. Pity you can't see in there (actually perhaps that's not a good idea).
Taking the fear out of street photography
As far as I can see, Henri Cartier-Bresson started 'street photography.' He has described how he 'prowled the streets, looking for shots,' with a camera that fitted in his hand (the Leica model 1A) Even today with all the 'snapper-silliness' that we have seen (and encountered) there is still plenty of opportunities to emulate Henri. However, to do so, we must copy all of his methods - including equipment. This means no huge DSLR with massive 10-5000mm zoom lens and big battery packs! No, all you need is an old army-type jacket with big pockets and a small, discreet body (any old Leica/Zorki is fine) and a couple of lenses, lightmeter (or you can guess-remarkably easy after a while) and a few rolls of film. No bag. That is an invitation to robbery. Line up your shot with the camera in your pocket, lift the camera out and take the shot, put it straight back in your pocket AND THEN MOVE AWAY. This last advice is the key to avoiding contact with the police/security guards and that most horrible of species, the 'concerned member of the public.'
Murray's advice about leaving the bag at home is well taken, but I'm not so sure about recommending wearing an old Army jacket and I am very sure the advice to be sneaky and furtive runs counter to Stuart's suggestion to just be confident and brave.
You just need to be. Don`t need to be a bitch with a Leica or some douche who is rich with an ego.
Actually, I'm not all that interested in the subject of photography. Once the picture is in the box, I'm not all that interested in what happens next. Hunters, after all, aren't cooks.
Henri Cartier-Bresson
Peace!
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