So, Street Photography.

Fairly self explanatory really, It's photography out on the streets, usually fast and candid. I can't remember where I saw it but the phrase 'Happy Accident' ties in quite well with street photography, or if i was to place it into slightly more academic language. Serendipity. Street photography to me seems to be the most exciting form, you have to observe and try to grab that perfect moment.

Take for example Mr Cartier-Bresson.

Henri Cartier-Bresson, Rue Mouffetard, Paris, 1954

He is one of the early aficionados of street photography, a combination of his small, portable and discrete Leica 35mm camera and a keen eye enabled him to capture life, unaltered by knowledge of the photographers presence.

Henri Cartier-Bresson, Rome, Italy (Children Playing Cowboys with Guns), 1951

I believe that it's in these moments that we see life, as it is, as it happens. Not the glossed up version that people wish to project. Yes, these photographs are chosen by the photographer it's the moment that he finds significant or appealing. Diane Arbus has said that she photographs "freaks" and people that she identifies with and that those images appeal to her the most. So I shall lead from one photograph of children with toy weaponry to another (If you know Arbus' work then I think you know which image is coming up.)

Diane Arbus, Untitled

Yes I will readily admit that in this image the child is fully aware of the photographer and is engaging with the camera, if not then this child may have more issues that just wandering around with a realistic looking grenade. Another thing that appeals to me about this image is it's general aesthetic I really like the black & white image within the square format, I will openly admit that I prefer black & white images to colour especially when the main subject is a person. I feel that more of their personality comes across, there are less distractions.

These next few images are from an article that I found on a website called Mighty Optical Illusions.

The article is called Caught in The (Right) Moment. It is a series of serendipitous images. These are favourites.