The “stream of consciousness” approach in Street Photography
The "stream of consciousness" approach in street photography is a captivating technique, drawing inspiration from the literary style of the same name and the works of iconic photographers like Robert Frank, Garry Winogrand, and Walker Evans.
It's about leaving the pre-conceived notions and rigid frames behind, and instead, surrendering to the flow of the urban landscape, capturing fleeting moments and weaving them into a visual narrative that mirrors the chaotic beauty of street life.
This approach is closely linked to the literary concept of stream of consciousness, where thoughts and feelings flow continuously and without a structured narrative.
In street photography, the stream of consciousness approach involves capturing spontaneous and unposed moments in a seemingly random sequence. It aims to convey a sense of immediacy, capturing the raw and unfiltered essence of everyday life. This technique often involves photographing people in candid situations, documenting the human experience in a way that feels authentic and unscripted.
Photographers like Robert Frank, particularly in his groundbreaking book "The Americans," used this approach to offer a unique perspective on American society during the 1950s. Garry Winogrand, known for his prolific street photography work, also embraced the stream of consciousness style, capturing diverse and often chaotic scenes. Walker Evans, a pioneer in documentary photography, contributed to this approach through his work with the Farm Security Administration, documenting the effects of the Great Depression.
Practicing the stream of consciousness approach requires a keen observational eye, a quick response to unfolding scenes, and an ability to find coherence in seemingly disparate moments. It allows photographers to create a narrative that may not follow a linear storyline but instead reflects the complex and multifaceted nature of the world.
In contemporary street photography, many photographers continue to explore and evolve the stream of consciousness approach, adapting it to the modern urban environment and incorporating new technologies. The goal remains to capture the spontaneity and authenticity of life as it unfolds in the streets.
Garry Winogrand's "Untitled (Marines, Times Square, New York City)" from 1967 is a perfect example of the stream-of-consciousness approach in street photography:
GARRY WINOGRAND Untitled 1967
Here's how it reflects the key elements:
Composition and Focus:
Linearity and Juxtaposition: The three men, presumably businessmen in suits, stand in a neat line, creating a strong horizontal emphasis. This structured formation is juxtaposed with the chaotic street scene behind them, filled with tall pedestrians and traffic. This contrast can be interpreted as a commentary on the formality and conformity of business life versus the unpredictable energy of the city.
Depth of Field: The photo likely utilizes a shallow depth of field, blurring the background and drawing the viewer's attention to the three men in the foreground. This emphasizes their presence and invites closer scrutiny of their expressions and posture.
Gaze and Perspective: The viewer's perspective is slightly elevated, looking down at the men like an observer in the city's flow. This perspective can evoke a sense of detachment and anonymity, reflecting the impersonal nature of urban life.
Body Language and Clothing:
Conformity and Individuality: The men's matching suits and similar postures suggest a sense of uniformity and corporate culture. However, their subtle differences in body language and expressions hint at individual personalities and stories beneath the surface.
Movement and Stagnation: Despite the busy street behind them, the men appear static and fixed in their positions. This contrast can be interpreted as a commentary on the feeling of being stuck in a routine or the tension between individual aspirations and societal expectations.
Emotional Resonance:
Grain and Blur: The grainy texture and the slightly blurred quality, characteristic of Winogrand's style, add a sense of rawness and immediacy to the scene. This evokes a feeling of being present on the bustling Fifth Avenue and experiencing the urban environment in its unfiltered intensity.
Light and Shadow Play: The play of light and shadow across the scene adds depth and visual interest. This can reflect the complexity of human experiences and the hidden aspects of our inner lives.
Storytelling and Fragmentation:
Frozen Moment: The snapshot nature of the photograph captures a fleeting moment in time, leaving the viewer to imagine the larger narrative. What are these men thinking? Where are they going? What brought them together? This openness to interpretation invites the viewer to engage with the image and construct their own stories.
Social Commentary: The scene offers a glimpse into the world of business and professional life in New York City. While devoid of overt drama, the image can be interpreted as a subtle commentary on social conformity, individual identity, and the fast-paced rhythm of urban life.
Legacy and Interpretation:
"Untitled (Men in Suits, Fifth Avenue, New York City)" exemplifies Garry Winogrand's mastery of the stream-of-consciousness approach in street photography. It captures the essence of a specific moment while inviting viewers to explore broader themes of social dynamics, human experiences, and the ever-changing urban landscape.
Alex Coghe Mexico City 2018
Key elements of the stream-of-consciousness approach:
Improvisation: Like jazz musicians riffing on a theme, street photographers in this mode react instinctively to the ever-changing symphony of the streets. They let curiosity and intuition guide their lens, chasing ephemeral moments and unexpected juxtapositions.
Fragmentation: Instead of striving for a single, definitive image, the focus is on capturing snippets, fleeting glimpses, and fragments of stories. These individual frames, when sequenced together, reveal a larger mosaic of urban life, echoing the disjointed, yet interconnected, nature of our experiences.
Subjectivity: The photographer's own emotions, thoughts, and biases inevitably color their perception of the street. This subjectivity isn't hidden, but embraced, adding a layer of personal interpretation to the captured moments.
Serendipity: Embracing the unexpected is crucial. The photographer is open to chance encounters, unplanned detours, and the sudden appearance of the extraordinary in the ordinary.
Alex Coghe 09 16 2023 Mexico City
Being aware that all the elements placed within the frame still have their own value in the image. Even the parts considered irrelevant play a lot on the communication and meaning that a photograph offers, for example in the image you see above the moved and blurry part of the cathedral has a value of context and understanding of the place. Being able to enter the flow also means taking home scenes of which you are aware of certain elements only at a less dominant level than the main subject.
Inspiration from the masters:
Robert Frank: His seminal work, "The Americans," is a quintessential example of the stream-of-consciousness approach. Frank's raw, unfiltered images, often tilted and grainy, capture the raw energy and social contradictions of America in the 1950s.
Garry Winogrand: Known for his rapid-fire shooting style and his ability to capture the decisive moment, Winogrand's work overflows with life and movement. His photographs, often crowded and chaotic, immerse the viewer in the pulsating rhythms of the city.
Walker Evans: Though known for his more formal portraits and documentary work, Evans also embraced a stream-of-consciousness approach in his street photography. His keen eye for detail and his ability to find beauty in the mundane transformed ordinary street scenes into poignant social commentaries.
Alex Coghe 11 19 2015 Reforma Mexico City
Tips for trying the stream-of-consciousness approach:
Hit the streets: Immerse yourself in the urban environment. Wander freely, letting your senses guide you.
Shoot fast and loose: Don't overthink it. Trust your instincts and capture what resonates with you in the moment.
Embrace imperfection: Don't worry about technical perfection. Grain, blur, and off-center compositions can add to the raw energy of the images.
Sequence your captures: Pay attention to the order of your images. How do they flow together? What story do they tell?
Don't be afraid to experiment: This approach is all about exploration and pushing boundaries. Try different angles, perspectives, and compositions.
Remember, the stream-of-consciousness approach is about capturing the essence of the street, not just documenting it. It's about finding poetry in the mundane, beauty in the chaos, and stories in the fleeting moments that make up the tapestry of urban life. So, grab your camera, hit the streets, and let the city speak to you.
