Street Photography

I’ve joined a photography group in Scottsdale. I’ve only attended one meeting so far but I was immediately impressed with the skills of the photographers, the quality of work they produce and the opportunity for me to learn. Right away my “comfort zone” is being tested with my first assignment, Street Photography. This is  a genre that will be challenging for me, firstly because it’s not something I know much about and secondly because it requires me to take photographs I would normally avoid.

I had to check out Encyclopedia Britannica (online)  to better understand what’s involved. Here’s how Britannica describes Street Photography:

Street photography, a genre that records everyday life in a public place. The very publicness of the setting enables the photographer to take candid pictures of strangers, often without their knowledge. Street photographers do not necessarily have a social purpose in mind, but they prefer to isolate and capture moments which might otherwise go unnoticed.

Wikipedia says much the same adding, “Though people usually feature directly, street photography might be absent of people and can be of an object or environment where the image projects a decidedly human character in facsimile or aesthetic.”

That’s pretty much what I expected, so in order to complete the assignment, I’ll need to get accustomed to taking candid photos of strangers.

I begin with some very “everyday life in a public place.” Here’s a man ignoring his immediate surroundings as he strolls past the ever interesting Bischoff’s Shades of the West, a gift shop on Main Street Scottsdale. He’s found something more interesting than the flood of merchandise that awaits him outside as well inside the store. Probably ordering online from Amazon.

I see the next photo as very characteristic of life in today’s changing world. These are Scottsdale’s “Lime Bikes”, the latest evolution in bike-share programs, a dockless share system that relies on GPS. It’s a high tech approach to mobilizing an old technology that fits with today’s societal preoccupation with fitness and the environment. Note the ominous presence of the automobiles lurking in the shadows of a parkade in the background.

Just a block south of where I photographed the “Lime Bikes”, is an anachronistic display of artifacts symbolic of Scottsdale’s “old west” history. This decrepit wagon, positioned outside an old welding shop is one of several reminders of Arizona’s not too distant past.

This scene features some young diners ordering lunch at the Italian Grotto, a longtime fixture in downtown Scottsdale. They seemed very absorbed in ordering, although seemingly not all that joyous about it. I’ll bet they’ve been denied liquor service!

I continued my search for interesting street photography in Cave Creek, a nearby town just north of Scottsdale. Cave Creek is the embodiment of Arizona’s western heritage, known for its frontier architecture, western culture and casual lifestyle. It has also become a popular gathering place for motorcyclists and offload vehicle enthusiasts who congregate in its many watering holes to experience a little of the “easy rider” lifestyle.

My first photo was taken at Outlaw Annie’s, a cowboy bar and restaurant that features amateur rodeo on the weekends. You can pull up a chair, order a beer and a hotdog, listen to live western music and watch the cowboys and cowgirls perform. I was able to capture this cowgirl as she and her horse moseyed in my direction.

The opposite side of the road is biker territory. The social centre would appear to be the Hideaway, although it’s not the only biker bar in town. Motorcyclists gather to show off their bikes, share stories and hang out with their friends. The number of bikes, the variety of brands and styles and the colours are staggering. I couldn’t resist this shot of two veteran riders admiring some of the rolling stock.

I liked the incongruity of this scene. Do you think this bike belongs to any of these dudes?

My first foray into street photography, was a good experience. For better results, I’d need a bolder approach. When I’m ready for that I’ll give it another try.