The Crisis in Street Photography: A Reflection of Our Times
It's no secret that street photography today mirrors the broader cultural crisis we see in other art forms like music and cinema. It confirms what I am saying since several years. And now a lot of people recognize that.
Much of what is celebrated and rewarded feels superficial, overly technical, and designed purely to entertain or catch the eye with a clever gimmick. But will these images last? Will we want to come back to them again? I don't think so. Too many street photos today are forgettable, offering no depth or lasting value. They’re like those catchy pop songs you hear on the radio—fun for a moment, but you forget them the next day.
A photographer who doesn’t read books, who doesn’t document himself is illiterate.
And this comes out in the photos.
A big part of the problem lies in how festivals and awards are shaping the field. Instead of promoting genuine, thoughtful work, these events often reward the shallow and predictable. Great street photographers, those who are still pushing boundaries and creating meaningful images, are frequently overlooked because they don’t fit into the current trends. These trends have, unfortunately, been shaped by mediocre photographers who run the festivals and sit on the juries.
And the juries? It’s even more frustrating when you see so-called “masters” handing out awards to images that look like cheap imitations of their own work. Rather than encouraging diversity and innovation, they push their aesthetic as the gold standard, creating a self-serving cycle that excludes new, exciting voices.
Another thing: most of the street photography being praised today is in color. But too often, it's color without substance. The focus is on matching hues or creating a pleasing palette, but where’s the content? Where’s the story? The photos may be visually pleasing, but they lack any real message. The clichés are endless, and you can already predict what’s going to win before the awards are even handed out.
It’s sobering to think that legendary photographers like Garry Winogrand, Lee Friedlander, or even Joel Meyerowitz would likely be ignored in today’s scene. I’ve been watching some videos on Meyerowitz recently, and it’s fascinating. Many of his iconic street photos wouldn’t even make it through the first round in a contemporary competition. They’d be torn apart for things like sloppy composition or odd angles—elements that, ironically, make his work so human and compelling.
This begs the question: has street photography evolved, or has it been taken over by an elite who think they know better than everyone else? I’m not saying Meyerowitz’s work is bad—far from it. But I do believe that the standards being applied today would dismiss the brilliance of photographers like him in favor of something more “clean,” more “Instagram-friendly.” It’s a sad state of affairs when artistry takes a back seat to gimmicks.
The flood of bad street photography we see on social media and in award galleries is overwhelming. Photos with no real thought behind them—just bright colors, clever framing tricks, or visual jokes that grow tiresome after a second look. The worst part? These images are being celebrated as the best the genre has to offer.
To truly understand if a photograph has depth, emotion, or genuine content, convert it to black and white. This simple act strips away the distractions of color, revealing the core of the image. It doesn’t matter if the photograph was conceived and shot in color—removing color exposes whether it stands on its own, whether it has substance. If a photo falls apart when rendered in black and white, chances are it never had any real content to begin with.
This practice is revealing, especially with the flood of color photos we see today. Too often, images rely heavily on vibrant tones and clever color contrasts to draw attention. But once you remove the color, the emptiness becomes glaringly obvious. That striking red jacket or neon sign may have initially grabbed your eye, but what’s left when those elements are taken away? Is there still a story? Is there a moment, an emotion, a connection that resonates?
Even with photos made by other people, I encourage this exercise. Convert them to black and white. You’ll quickly see how much of what’s being celebrated as “great photography” today is, in fact, visually hollow. Without the crutch of color, many photos lose their impact entirely, revealing weak compositions, lackluster storytelling, or simply no meaningful content. It’s like looking at a movie without sound—you’ll quickly realize if the film’s visuals can stand on their own or if they were merely riding on the soundtrack.
Street photography used to be about capturing raw, unfiltered moments of life. It was about storytelling, observation, and understanding the human condition. Today, too much of it feels like a cheap parlor trick. It’s time for a change. It’s time for the real voices in street photography to be heard again. The ones who aren’t afraid to go beyond the surface, to create work that lasts, and to bring back some much-needed substance to the genre.
If we continue down this path, we risk losing the soul of street photography entirely. We need to push back against the superficial and start focusing on work that matters. Only then can we reclaim street photography as the powerful, honest, and impactful art form it once was.
Sometimes, it’s enough to pause and ask: What would Henri Cartier-Bresson, Luigi Ghirri, or Garry Winogrand think about certain trends in photography today? When you reflect on their work and their philosophy, the answer becomes clear—and for many, it’s an uncomfortable truth.
These masters approached photography with an intense focus on substance. Cartier-Bresson was about the decisive moment, capturing the split second when everything in a scene aligned—emotion, composition, timing. Winogrand sought out the chaos of the streets, turning seemingly mundane moments into rich tapestries of life. Ghirri, through his exploration of landscapes and everyday objects, found poetry in simplicity. They weren't chasing trends; they weren't trying to make their work fit into some fleeting visual gimmick. Their photography had soul, a commitment to showing the world as they saw it, not as the trends of the time dictated.
Now, imagine what they would think of today’s street photography landscape. What would they say about the over-reliance on bright colors, the visual puns, the "Instagram-ready" photos that seem tailor-made for likes rather than meaning? I think they’d see right through it—into the shallowness and lack of real content behind much of the work being produced. They wouldn’t be interested in photos that exist only to play with visual tricks or exploit fleeting trends. They’d want to see if the image stood for something, if it captured life in an honest and raw way.
Many people might not like this reflection because it forces us to confront how superficial much of today’s photography has become. The truth is, a lot of what’s being celebrated now wouldn’t have impressed these giants. In fact, it might have been dismissed entirely. They didn’t care about chasing trends or pleasing judges at festivals. They were interested in something deeper—storytelling, connection, and making photographs that mattered.
If we were to place some of the most celebrated street photography today in front of Cartier-Bresson, Winogrand, or Ghirri, I imagine they’d raise their eyebrows at the overwhelming focus on technical perfection or the obsession with eye-catching color schemes devoid of meaning. They wouldn’t care for the perfectly matched outfits or the abstract shadows used as little more than clever decoration. For them, photography was about capturing the human experience in all its messiness, not dressing it up to be palatable for awards or social media.
The problem is, many people don’t want to hear this. It’s easier to believe that we’re in a golden age of street photography when, in reality, we’re often drowning in a sea of empty, visually flashy images. The real challenge isn’t creating something that grabs attention for a few seconds—it’s making something that lasts. Something that future generations will look at and feel moved by, not just entertained.
Cartier-Bresson, Winogrand, Ghirri—they all created work that endures. Their photos are timeless, precisely because they weren’t pandering to trends. They weren’t concerned with what was fashionable at the time. They were documenting life, with all its imperfections, emotions, and spontaneity. That’s the kind of photography that matters. That’s the kind of photography that lasts.
It’s crucial to remember that photography is not just about producing images that look good; it’s about capturing images that feel something. What would these masters think of today's photography? They’d likely challenge us to move beyond the superficial and dig deeper. They’d push us to make photos that matter, that provoke thought, that capture more than just a passing moment of visual interest.
And that’s the uncomfortable truth: if we compare much of today’s celebrated work to the standards set by these legends, it falls short. But this realization doesn’t have to be discouraging. Instead, it can be motivating. It’s a reminder to stop chasing trends and start focusing on content, substance, and the power of the moment. Because at the end of the day, photography isn’t about impressing othersit’s about seeing, feeling, and sharing the world as it is.
And that's where the true answer lies.
THE SOLUTION: SOME IDEAS
After all this reflection on the current state of street photography, the real question becomes: How do we move forward? How do we reclaim the depth and authenticity that once defined the genre and steer it away from superficial trends and fleeting visual tricks?
The solution is simple but challenging: Refocus on the essence of photography: content, emotion, and storytelling.
Strip Away the Distractions: The first step is to stop relying on gimmicks. Strip your photography down to its essentials. If you find yourself depending too much on color to create impact, switch to black and white for a while, and see if your images still hold up. Use black and white as a litmus test—can your photo still evoke emotion and tell a story when the distractions of color are removed? If not, dig deeper.
Prioritize Storytelling Over Technique: The best photographs have always been about the moment, the emotion, and the story, not about perfect technique or clever tricks. If you want your work to last, focus on capturing meaning rather than trying to impress. Get back to the roots of street photography: human connection, unguarded moments, and raw emotion. When you’re on the street, stop thinking about what will look good on Instagram or win an award, and instead think about what resonates with you personally. The photos that mean something to you are the ones that will stand the test of time.
Create for Yourself, Not for the Algorithm: In today’s world, it’s easy to get caught up in creating work that’s optimized for social media—bright colors, striking patterns, or photos that fit a particular aesthetic. But ask yourself, Are you creating for the algorithm, or for yourself? The great photographers of the past didn’t have Instagram or street photography festivals. They weren’t worried about likes or trends. They created work that mattered to them. Do the same. Focus on making photography that feels authentic to you, regardless of what’s in vogue.
Challenge the Status Quo: Festivals, awards, and social media trends may have pushed street photography into a corner where it often feels shallow and repetitive. But change can come from within. Challenge yourself and others in the photography community to break free from these constraints. Don’t be afraid to criticize or question the work that’s being celebrated if it lacks substance. By doing this, we can begin to shift the conversation back to what matters.
Seek Inspiration in the Classics, But Don’t Imitate: Photographers like Cartier-Bresson, Winogrand, Friedlander didn’t follow trends—they set them by following their own vision. Seek inspiration from the masters, but avoid trying to replicate their work. Instead, look at how they approached their craft, how they found meaning in the everyday, and how they used photography as a form of personal expression. Then, apply those lessons to your own work in a way that feels modern and relevant to you.
Take Risks and Embrace Failure: One of the reasons street photography has become stagnant is because many photographers are playing it safe. The pressure to conform to certain styles or aesthetics can stifle creativity. The solution? Take risks. Be willing to experiment and fail. Try new approaches, explore different subjects, and step out of your comfort zone. Even if your work doesn’t get immediate recognition, it’s through risk-taking that new, authentic voices emerge.
Elevate Others Doing Meaningful Work: Not all street photography today is superficial—there are photographers out there creating meaningful, impactful work that goes against the grain. Find them, support them, and share their work. By elevating photographers who are focused on substance rather than style, we can collectively start to shift the culture back to what matters.
Be Patient and Persistent: Creating photography that has real content and emotion takes time. It’s not about producing something every day for social media. It’s about slowing down, observing, and waiting for the right moments to reveal themselves. Be patient with your craft, and trust that if you stay true to your vision, your work will find its audience—even if it’s not immediate.
The path forward for street photography is clear: we need to return to its essence. To focus less on trends, awards, and algorithms, and more on the raw, unfiltered power of capturing life as it is. By doing this, we can create images that endure, that have meaning, and that resonate far beyond the moment they’re taken. That’s the real solution—to make photography about seeing again, not just showing.
Another critical piece of the solution is to disconnect, both literally and metaphorically, from the constant noise of the digital world. In today’s fast-paced, always-online culture, we’re bombarded with images, ideas, and trends through social media and smartphones. It’s become so easy to spend hours scrolling, consuming, and being influenced by what others deem important. But what we often lose in this process is our own ability to think critically, to find inspiration in deeper, more meaningful places, and to create work that is truly our own.
The first step? Put down the smartphone.
Step Away from Instant Gratification
Street photography, and art in general, thrives on observation and reflection, things that the quick-scroll culture of Instagram and TikTok stifles. When we’re constantly plugged in, we lose our ability to slow down, to be fully present, and to truly see the world around us. We’re consuming content at such a rapid pace that there’s little room left for deep thinking or genuine inspiration.
To create work with substance, we need to step away from the constant flood of content. Start observing the world around you without the filter of a screen. Let yourself experience life without feeling the need to capture every moment for social media. Look at life, not through a lens for a moment, but with your own eyes.
Rediscover Books and Cinema
Another important shift is to return to long-form storytelling and deep thinking through books and high-quality cinema. When was the last time you read a book that challenged your perspective or watched a film that lingered with you long after it ended? There’s something irreplaceable about the slow, thoughtful process of reading a book or watching a well-crafted film. It exercises your brain in ways that scrolling through images or soundbites can never replicate. Good art takes time to understand, and in turn, it teaches you how to take your time with your own work.
Street photography, and any kind of visual storytelling, can benefit immensely from engaging with other forms of art. Books expand your narrative skills, helping you understand the depth of human emotion, the complexity of character, and the subtleties of life. Cinema, especially independent or foreign films, shows you how to use framing, timing, and mood to convey powerful stories. Both are slower, more immersive experiences than the shallow, bite-sized content we’re fed every day, and they help us become better visual storytellers.
Engage with Other Art Forms: Painting, Sculpture, Architecture
But it doesn’t stop with books and cinema. Engaging with other forms of art, like painting, sculpture, and architecture, can also greatly enrich your photography. Look at how painters use light and shadow, how sculptors find form and movement in stillness, how architects play with lines, space, and texture. These lessons can be applied to your own work, helping you see beyond the immediate frame of a photograph and into the broader world of visual expression.
When you study a painting by Edward Hopper, for example, you learn how to capture loneliness and isolation in urban spaces. When you explore the sculptures of Rodin, you understand the importance of capturing emotion in the human form. These lessons, drawn from other mediums, allow you to develop a more nuanced and sophisticated approach to your photography.
Think With Your Own Brain, Not What’s Imposed by Others
Perhaps the most important step is this: think for yourself. Don’t allow your creativity to be dictated by the latest trends, the most popular hashtags, or what others in your field are doing. The greatest artists, whether they were photographers, painters, or filmmakers, didn’t follow the crowd. They followed their own instincts, their own vision.
The digital age has made it far too easy to create work that mirrors what’s already out there, to get caught in a cycle of imitation rather than innovation. But true creativity doesn’t come from doing what everyone else is doing, it comes from thinking critically, from exploring your own ideas, and from challenging the status quo. Use your brain, not the algorithm.
By stepping away from the constant distractions of smartphones, social media, and instant gratification, and by immersing yourself in other forms of art, literature, and culture, you begin to reclaim your own voice. You start to create work that is meaningful to you, not just what you think others want to see.
In Conclusion: Reclaim Depth in a Shallow Age
We need to remember that great photography, like any great art, requires depth, thought, and time. It’s not about being constantly plugged in or chasing trends. It’s about slowing down, observing, learning, and thinking deeply. By disconnecting from the superficial and engaging with richer, more complex forms of art, we can bring back the substance that street photography has lost.
And in doing so, we can create work that’s not just visually pleasing for a fleeting moment, but that lasts, work that resonates deeply, that tells a story, and that reflects our unique way of seeing the world. That’s the kind of photography worth making.
