The 10 Rules of Street Photography

This post was inspired by several recent online discussions attempting to define street photography. While there is no universal definition and everyone will have their own interpretation and methods, I believe there are a few general rules that virtually all will agree upon. 

I've listed them below, along with helpful examples (mostly historical photos by outdated practitioners) showing WRONG! techniques that photographers should avoid. I welcome reader comments and suggestions for other rules I may have overlooked.

Of course the most important rule (while obeying the ones listed) is to have fun! 

1. All photos must be candid. You must not interact with your subjects in any way before, during, or after the photograph. Subjects looking into the camera are expressly prohibited.

William Klein

2. Photographs must be made from eye level while looking through the viewfinder. Hipshots, behind-the-back, under-the-legs, through the button hole, drone, remote trigger, Google Street View, or any other unnatural view is prohibited.

Walker Evans

3. All photographs must depict the subject from the front. Backs and rear views are a sign of wimpiness and are thus prohibited. Robert Frank, a well known sensitive soul, often ignored this rule and his photographs suffered accordingly, as shown in the photo below. Not to mention it's from the hip.

Robert Frank

4. Portraits are prohibited. Why? Because I said so. Earlier, in Rule #1.  

Hiroh Kikai

5. All photographs must be made with available light. Flash, strobe, and any other physical alteration of the scene as found is prohibited.

Tom Wood

6. Posters are always cliché, and thus prohibited. 

Matt Stuart

7. The same with funny or ironic signs. 

Elliott Erwitt

8. Street photographs must depict people. But not street performers, buskers, homeless, or other common sidewalk denizens. Fish in a barrel. Prohibited.

Robert Bergman

9. All reproductions must depict the photograph as shot. Cropping signifies a lack of forethought and general weakness of spirit, and is thus prohibited. 

Henri Cartier-Bresson

10. The best street photos are generally shot with a fondly burnished Leica and wide-angle lens, preferably on hand-rolled Tri-X, while wearing a beret or fedora. Telephoto is prohibited. Large cameras are prohibited. Post-production is prohibited. And anything else I've forgotten to list here is probably prohibited. If a specific technique is in doubt, don't use it until you confirm it is ok. 

10a. Remember to have fun!

Diane Arbus by ?