Debunking the hype in Street Photography

I think it could become a series on Youtube.

The following text was originally published on my substack

Nice try, but it doesn’t work.

The inflation of the word legend in street photography due to hype, YouTube numbers, or social media charismais just childish. And typical of the ones who call attention and at the same time they are constantly try to raise up the controversies. Too bad that in our small world of street photography there is a circle that is a circus, thinking that festivals are the badge of credibility.

The sons of a Bitcoin promoter are not credible at all. And beware of that: if you follow the same path you could become a bitcoin promoter too and even worst: a 100% carnivore.

• Legend status requires a body of work, not a subscriber count
  A true legend is measured by the depth, consistency, and historical relevance of their photography. Fame from YouTube or Instagram doesn’t automatically translate into artistic value.

• Photography is about images, not promotion
  Someone may be a great promoter or content creator, but unless they have a substantial, recognizable portfolio of photographs, they cannot be considered a legendary photographer. They do very good videos, but to the end of the game what it marks the real difference for a photographer is always the same: the portfolio.

• Historical comparison exposes the weakness
  Legends like Garry Winogrand, Daido Moriyama, or Alex Webb earned their status through decades of work, publications, and exhibitions, not through algorithms. Comparing YouTube or a blog fame to this legacy dilutes the meaning of legend.

• Credibility requires recognition outside of self-promotion
  If the only “validation” comes from their own platforms (YouTube channels, self-published zines, or social media followers), it’s not the same as recognition from established institutions, respected peers, or critical discourse. Think about street photographers: most of them are simple amateurs, with publications in photozines. They are not making a living with photography and art directors are not hiring them. The current street photographer is making a great job in terms of quality and also making a living with photography is Daniel Arnold, which work I deeply respect.

• The risk of confusing entertainment with artistry
  YouTube “street photography” often prioritizes spectacle (gear talk, POV walking videos, tutorials, everybody street model) over images. Being a good entertainer doesn’t make someone a legendary photographer. Please note: I'm not denying their importance in terms of giving inspiration and doing things for photography, here I'm putting the point on the quality of their proposal as street photographers which is a different thing.

• Longevity matters
  A legend has a career that stands the test of time. Many internet-famous photographers fade quickly once the trend moves on. Without a sustained trajectory, the title of “legend” is premature.

• Contribution to the medium is key
  Legends expand, redefine, or deeply influence street photography. If someone hasn’t contributed a distinctive vision, philosophy, or new aesthetic approach, they are not reshaping the genre. ERGO To imitate Alex Webb or Daido Moriyama or Bruce Gilden is not making you a legend, simply because those 3 photographers created an approach and style, you not.

• Publishing & exhibiting vs. posting
  Exhibitions, books, and curated shows are ways legends leave tangible marks on culture. Merely uploading content online is not the same as producing lasting, archival contributions to photography. MORE THAN THAT: How many street photographers worked for important brands? Yes, there you can find also an answer.

• Critical discourse matters
  Legends are written about, critiqued, and debated in photography circles. If someone’s “legend” status is only echoed in their own comments section, it lacks the weight of critical recognition. And no, not even if debated on youtube and just there is not making you a legend.

• Calling everyone a legend devalues real legends
  When we place hype-driven personalities on the same pedestal as photographers who devoted their lives to the craft, we flatten history and disrespect those who genuinely changed the medium.

Conclusion:

next time you watch a video about legends, please consider that is just a way to attract people without a real justification. Beside to make social media numbers.

Something to add here:

My intention here is not to provoke for the sake of provocation. What I truly hope - though with little optimism - is that we can move beyond childish attitudes and shallow content. The world is already saturated with superficiality and the constant chase for sensationalism; we don’t need to see photography polluted in the same way.

Since the early boom in street photography’s popularity, fueled by the internet and the social media machine, too many immature voices have reduced it to a simplified version of itself, one that suits their lack of depth.

I consider street photography a serious form of photography precisely because it is free from narratives imposed by big interests. That’s why I cannot remain silent. Many photographers outside this field dismiss street photography, often because they can’t handle it, or simply don’t understand it. Yet stepping inside, one quickly encounters individuals whose arrogance or ignorance is staggering.

On YouTube and in festivals, the same dynamics keep repeating. Too often, initiatives seem less about serving street photography and more about self-promotion, about drawing attention at any cost. Of course, ego is part of being a photographer, but not everything should be reduced to personal branding or helping out friends. Especially when mediocrity, empty talk, and very little substance are the only results.

Over the years, I’ve seen many of these so-called rising stars come and go like meteors. Some, still inflated, have gone off the rails, churning out 40 or 50 posts a day on their blogs, rarely mentioning street photography anymore, preferring instead to rant about cryptocurrencies or MAGA-style politics.

And these are just a few examples, which I’ll address more specifically in upcoming videos.