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Joel Meyerowitz Solved the Biggest Problem in Street Photography

Tatiana Hopper

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Joel Meyerowitz solved one of the biggest problems in street photography but his answer has very little to do with colour or light itself. In this video, we explore what his photographs can teach us about seeing, creativity and making stronger photographs.

Joel Meyerowitz is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of colour street photography. But reducing his work to words like colour or street photography misses the real lesson. His photographs reveal a way of seeing that can completely change how we approach photography, composition and creativity overall.

So in this video, we'll explore Joel Meyerowitz's philosophy, his approach to street photography and why his work continues to influence photographers around the world. If you enjoyed this video, consider subscribing for more documentaries exploring photography, photographers and the art of seeing.

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Contemporary Photography in the USA (Michael Engler, 1982)
Contemporary Photography in the USA (Micha...

00:00 Intro
01:22 Discover Your Identity
03:34 Everyday Awareness
06:21 Make Connections
08:11 Colour is a Language
09:26 Share Your Colour Photos with me!
10:38 Colour is a Language II
11:29 Photography is About Ideas
14:52 Why I'll always respect Meyerowitz

DISCLAIMER
The content of this video is for educational and informational purposes. All materials in this video fall within the fair use provision of Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education, and research. Therefore, no infringement is intended. This content celebrates and promotes the featured artists whose work has contributed immensely to the art of photography and filmmaking.

#joelmeyerowitz #streetphotography #photography

20 Comments

@TatianaHopper Creator 3 months ago (edited) Pinned

Submit your colour photographs to the Picdrop Community Gallery
1. Choose photographs where colour plays an important role.
2. Upload them to the Picdrop gallery: http://picdrop.com/go/TatianaHopper
3. Share your gallery with me at partnerships@tatianahopper.io

I can't wait to see your work! ❤

@danny_liao 2 months ago

A friend once told me I needed to be more sensitive when we were talking about my struggles with photography. I was confused by her comment. I thought, what does my feelings have to do with my photography??? So I asked her to elaborate. She said, "You need to be more sensitive to your surroundings. Pay attention to more things that you normally wouldn't." Ding ding ding! She helped me open a whole new way of seeing. Thanks to this new found sensitivity, I now love photographing trash. 😆

@PhilShootsFilm 3 months ago

Excellent showcase of Joel Meyerowitz’s breadth and scope of work. It reminds me of an old saying - “Quantity has a quality all its own.” He refused to be pigeonholed and let his work determine his direction. From black and white to color and from 35mm to large format. He followed his passions and discovered in his contact sheets the direction he was traveling. Thanks again for another great tutorial.

@lowhangingvegetable 3 months ago (edited)

Joel's work is what got me into street photography. I remember there was an exhibition in my country years ago where one of his photos was featured and me and my buddy were so hyped to see one of his shots in person. For 2 young photography students like us at the time it was like getting to see a Picaso or something 😄Will always love his work.

@robgutkowski7141 2 months ago

Joel Meyerowitz took pictures of the same part of Cape Cod in which I lived for a few years, and he captured the light, the style and the feel of that place in the late 70's and early 80's, a place and a time that have moved on, leaving changes that weren't always for the better.

@banana_necessary 3 months ago

Growth is natural when you have genuine interest and passion. You learn, adapt, and refine your craft because you want to, not because someone tells you to. Photography is no different. Younger photographers often swing between lacking confidence and having far too much of it, but both extremes settle with experience. The real skill—the one that elevates your work—is the ability to talk to people, connect with them, and make them feel comfortable. Strong images come from real human connection, not just technical ability.

@emanabdelkader5423 2 months ago

I was doing research about Joel, and your video popped up for me, and it's a big help! I'm so glad that I found your channel, it's really amazing! Thank you for your efforts

@victorliska 2 weeks ago

Very interesting!! Thank you for your great videos!

@kenneth61 2 months ago

Cape Light who I bought in the early 80,s has inspired me trough the life.

@salvadorrivas-o7l 2 months ago

Hola! Me ha extrañado que no mencionaras las fotografías del viaje de Meyerowitz por Europa, a mí me impresionaron

@kriscuth 2 months ago

I love and appreciate that there is such a breadth of media showcasing/analyzing the processes of living photographers like Joel, Steve McCurry, Ralph Gibson, etc. Gave a copy of “How I Make Photographs” to a friend as a birthday gift. Think I’ll have to pick up another copy. Wonderful video. Cheers!

@IffyWing 3 months ago

Ive been using color more and more in my walks in spite of my depression episodes. Even using color film only now. Interestingly I still emotionally prefer black and white for my work with people but walking down the street I can see the bright colors interacting with each other. Its been an interesting exercise.

@EdwardIglesias 3 months ago

When I moved to my current job in Newport, RI I came across the book Cape Light. It was shot not too far from here and this subtle use of color is immense.

@danevarkevisser4670 2 months ago

Cape Light is one of my favourite photography books. I have always felt Joel Meyerowitz was a much better landscape photographer than a street or portrait photographer. In Cape Light you see his mastery of atmospherics and composition. I am not sure you can call him a pioneer of colour photography in the same way that Ernst Haas and Saul Leiter were, but I agree he was certainly influential in changing opinion.