Being a street photographer (1 of 7)

How too, or perhaps why not to.

Clearly a subpar capture, but the expression is a glass half full - to me.

There's no checklist, no official manual—like a NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) guidebook—defining what it means to be a street photographer. I don’t think there’s a degree in it, and the folks over at magnum.. well, that’s magnum and they’re famous so let’s digress.  But, you don’t have to get a license, or certification or surgery to become a street photographer.  You just sort of want to, and then do it.  In some circles, it’s kind of a cool thing—well, at least someone said that once. Among non-photographers, expect the raised eyebrows and the classic step-back maneuver. So you really have to want to.  Just sort of want to go out, walk around and take photos. TBH, you’ll have to accept some of what comes with it from the public too.  Good, and bad.  No spoilers from me, you can figure out how to get yelled at, threatened and other fun things all on your own.  OJT style.  You don’t have to achieve a certain level of proficiency, maintain some level of performance, have a ratio bad to good photos to aim for. Honestly, you can plainly suck at taking photos and still be a street photographer. But decide to be one, and in that decision, decide to be one on your own terms. Life is short and there’s a ton of people who’ll tell you what to do with your time.  Let this be your time. Because street photography is hard to explain, doesn’t pay, and is just something you do for no other reason that you want to.