Probably the best video on the topic. Love it.

Pushing a camera into somebodies face is not controversial, it’s shitty behaviour and selfish. Taking photos in the street to document a funny or emotional moment is legitimate. However if the person objects then it is probably good manners to delete the image or at least have a conversation with the person about your intentions. Like everything in life there are people who want to push the boundaries of acceptable behaviour and that is not likely to change anytime soon. I agree with you Tim the person with the massive zoom lens is much more problematic. The reasons for street photography are legitimate and connection with your subject is essential should the situation arise. I love the work of Fred Herzog and his images of Vancouver in the 60’s are absolute gems of historical significance, especially when you see the city as it is today. Great subject Tim, always food for thought. Cheers.

I hate the fact that phone photography is so often accepted. But when you point a camera people react all hostile.

Hi Tim.

I am haunted by two pictures I have taken, and equally haunted by two pictures I didn't take.  

The latter occurred before the former, which is why I took the former and always will. If I wasn't haunted by them I'd be without a conscience akin to a sociapath. So, take the picture, and then let your morals, ethics, and scruples decide what you do with them.

This is an important talking point and it is good to see people discussing it as a result of your video. Enjoy the rest of your day.

I do street photography to make art. I find street photography to be the most challenging form of photography that I practice.

Thank you for making this video. While I gravitate naturally more towards the idea of finding patterns and common themes to make my photography more documentary, you brought up some excellent points that need to be considered by everyone with a camera out there.
With a thousand-fold more photographers out there and the impact of social media and their countless snapshots (and deepfakes), people tend to be much more aware of their surroundings.  Here is a few things I do as a matter of practice-

- I am overt with my camera and photography. To me this is a big one, because most resistance I've ever seen is by trying to be "sneaky" or the opposite, Gilden-ish.
- I say something before or after the photo if I feel it has potential for publishing (the classic comment, often leave a card)
- Compassion. I've often found myself documenting tragedy before first responders got there. I eventually wished to help those people rather than take the shot.
- Respect. Don't photograph anyone in a position you wouldn't want yourself or your loved ones to be photographed.

Some good points here about the gray areas of this practice. Something I would’ve liked to hear you touch on is the consideration of power dynamics in society as they relate to street photography (as you said, a sub-genre of documentary photography and therefore journalistic), and the responsibility photographers have (if any) to their subjects.

Street photography for sure, I cant bear to look at another wedding photograph .

Really enjoyed the video.  Thanks Tim

Very good video. Well formulated opinions of the matter.

Very good info, must watch one or two times. Much of the public does not know much of what is in your video. I just want to document life as it is occurring. I would like to message you a situation i'm in now with posting my photos.

Excellent video! Thank you!

This is a superb summary of what street photography is all about. I run a U3A photography group and some members are keen to try the genre, but are held back by their concerns. This video would, I think, help them to have a go. May I show it at our next meeting?

I've been watching your videos and have learned a lot the last couple days. Can you do a video on you favorite street photographers

Loved this video, you encompassed pretty much every talking point and seen all sides. We're all going to have different opinions.

I think the controversial nature is half of what makes Street Photography so appealing as an artist.

Very well explained Tim - one of your finest.

A very good video. Well presented. I think it comes down to common decency and curtesy.  A couple of the photographers you featured appeared to me as though they were just "getting off" on seeing how rude they could be.  Snapping insanely quick photos without any consideration to composition.  It's as though they just wanted to intimidate the subject.  That is not photography!  That's a sickness.

Here is nothing new for someone like me who has been on the streets for almost twenty years, continents, countries... But this video is covering a lot of important aspects. And not just from one perspective.

Funny. When you said the most controversy, I thought you were going to say photos of kids. (Ah, you say it around 7:00 ) THAT, to me, is one of those areas where I have a few rules: no kids, no unhoused, no people in distress or struggling (as you pointed out). With a few exceptions. If the kid is "performing" and the parents are embracing this, then they enter a different category to me.

Flash? I haven't thought about it. Great point. I don't quite know. I think it's sometimes the right tool for the job, and more annoying to people than anything.

The ethics are fascinating to me. I liked your points on this. I don't have a strong point of view on this yet. I'm shy so I don't quite like to get in people's faces. But then, I see people like josef koudelka and I feel like he gave us something by being in there, up close, and connected to the subjects. So, I'm out on that one.

Thanks. Clearly, I take your videos seriously and devote some time to really think about it. Thanks as always, Tim.

What I find interesting is that a lot of the people who’ll spend the energy getting into arguments with street photographers taking stills of them, are the same people who will happily upload video’s, location data, health data of themselves and their families onto the servers of companies who’s only goal is to exploit and sell that data.
People can of course do whatever they want with their data. But I believe that Street Photographers often take a outsized beating for what they do, just because there is a human behind the lens. Street photographers are hardly the reason for the decline of privacy in public spaces. Walking in any major city you’re being recorded by hundreds of dashcams, CCTV and other video cameras. While sharing so much data through your own phone. But one guy taking a still is an offense to public privacy. Sure.
Great video. Great topic. Really happy seeing others discussing this!