Some while back I reviewed Beaumont Newhall’s History of Photography. While reading that book I was particularly taken with his description of various street photographers, notably Henri Cartier-Bresson and Eugene Atget. And given that I take most of my pictures while out-and-about, walking hither-and-yon, I was curious to learn what other photographers had done in similar circumstances.

I asked around, and was pointed at this book. I had to order it on-line, and at $50 it was rather expensive to be buying sight-unseen; but it came recommended, and I was still in the early days of my passion for photography–I find that when I take up a new hobby, I almost go out looking for reasons to spend money, not a good habit but a common one, I suppose–and I went ahead and ordered it. My chief concern was that it would be too lightweight, that I’d read through it in a couple of hours and wonder what I’d spent my money on.

That was a number of months ago; and as I just finished it this evening I suppose I can’t call it lightweight. In fact, it’s quite a detailed exposition of street photography, from its earliest origins in the 19th century up through the final decades of the 20th. If I have a complaint it’s that there aren’t enough pictures–but then, there are seldom enough pictures in a book like this–and that the pictures aren’t well integrated with the text. This was done on purpose, I guess, to let the pictures stand alone, but it would have made it simpler if the pictures were closer to where they were discussed. Also, the tone of the text is rather more hifalutin’ than in Newhall’s book–so that instead of devouring it in a couple of days, as I did Newhall’s book, I spread it out in small segments over several months.

On the whole, though, I have to pronounce myself satisfied. I’ve now been exposed to the work of a great many skilled street photographers, and learned a great deal about their motivations. I’ve also taken a great deal more photographs, many of them in the street, since I acquired the book. And I’ve learned a few things.

First, it’s difficult to do real street photography walking around a quite suburban neighborhood. Street photography delights in odd juxtapositions of people, and you simply don’t get enought people on the streets. And then, if I go downtown there are more people on the streets…but I find taking pictures of folks I don’t know rather daunting, especially since I don’t really want to call attention to myself. Consequently, my forays into real street photography have been extremely limited to date. But as I intend to continue walking, and I intend to continue taking pictures (I’ve made–and kept–over a thousand exposures since January) I rather expect I’ll take a few more that qualify.