I have a passion for street photography. This is a book I'd highly recommend to anyone interested in street photography; from beginner to advanced, you'll find something to help you here.

Joel Meyerowitz says, "Once you have a camera in your hand, you have a license to see."

Meyerowitz talks of his relationship with his father, who encouraged him to look at everyday stories in the street. The enthusiasm of the father was soon to become the same for Joel.

Working at an agency he assisted renowned photographer Robert Frank; and that one day of assistance led him to the passion of his life.
From that day onward he embraced the smells, the colors, and the stories of the streets. From that one day he saw everything differently.

Starting out he says that the process is all about finding your identity as an artist and as a human being who is interested in the world around you. He encourages me, the reader, to accept my insecurities ... act... and the very act of taking photographs will lead me to becoming a better photographer.


He talks of the importance of books as reference... immersing myself in the work of others ... inspiration will give me ideas. He encourages me to analyze the how and why. And he tells me that when the well has run dry, and I've lost the inspiration to shoot, to look to books to reinvigorate and motivate.

He draws on photographic examples from Henri Cartier-Bresson and Diane Arbus, explaining his thoughts on their different styles.

He encourages me to own the street, understand that I share it, and I have the right to take photographs. He inspires me to be courageous, be pleasant, smile - ultimately to engage with people in the street.

He encourages me to understand that those important moments will come... to keep shooting, stay present, watch for occurrences or stories that will develop and present themselves. Be ready.. watch.. anticipate. Watch & be present for emotions, gestures or actions that will lead me to that special moment.

He suggests making connections with subjects, and trying street portraiture. He says, "Once you begin making a portrait, a special energy between you and the subject comes into being. You have entered their private existence and engaged with them, and they have accepted your move."

He writes about finding the story. Ultimately this is what the street photographer wants - a compelling story told by a photograph. An example is his famous Paris photograph showing a man who's fallen to the pavement. People step over and around him, seemingly uninterested in making an effort to help him.

He encourages me to be open to the humorous events or situations that unfold around me.

He tells me that sometimes, the small gestures or happenings can have the greatest impact, so ... get in close. Look for the details that will help me make a great story,

He tells me to embrace my head as well as heart; looking for the elements that will, in combination, make a great photograph. The right light, the right angle, and subject. To always be on the lookout for the right subject, time and place.

He talks of body language and communication, moving to affect your shot or affect your subject in their movement. Being respectful.. being invisible at times.. introducing yourself at times... to accomplish a result.

The right camera and the right style.. they're personal choices.

He encourages me to be creative in the placement of my subject in the frame. The center isn't necessarily best.

He offers me notes on composition, encourages me to push myself to create something bigger than myself.
He inspires me to create projects and collections.

"As you become more sensitive to the way photography works, and to your own instincts, you will enlarge your emotional and visual capacity, and that will allow you to see your world in a richer, more complex way."

This book is an easy read. Not a table top book - nothing fancy - perfect size for your camera bag.
Five stars for the inspiration alone. Highly recommended.

The first of the Masters Of Photography series, in this book award winning photographer Joel Meyerowitz gives his tips on the rewarding art of street photography. Covering subjects such as composition, lens choice and how to put your subject at ease, Meyerowitz tells us what to look out for while out and about with our cameras. Packed with stunning images from the streets, this book is an inspiration to any photographer, no matter which genre they prefer. I'm now looking forward to venturing out this weekend, camera in tow, to put some of these tips into practice.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I thought this book was an interesting approach to "edu-art-tainment." I think it's aimed for people who not only enjoy looking at photography, but perhaps are into the hobby of photography and want to improve. It's aspirational and inspirational. I don't think the audience for this book is anyone who has worked in the field of photography for a long time or who already knows their own aethetic or process. Meyerowitz has imparted wisdom in many venues and formats over the years, and is generous with his views on photography, so I found the content not especially groundbreaking. Additionally, he is rather a classic street photographer, which while that is still a thriving subgenre in photography, it isn't what I would describe as the contemporary photographic zeitgeist. As such, I think this would be a good gift for someone looking to get into photography, or someone who especially enjoys Meyerowitz' work and would like to know more about his thought process.

Joel Meyerowitz in this book, urges the viewers to look at a photo and try to understand why the photographer took the photo in the first place.

Is it ok to take pictures in the public space?

What makes you go "Yes. Yes I saw that. Yes I want that" when you click that picture?

"Anticipate a Moment" bring dynamic tension to the snapping action that is seen as a static move.

"When you receive a signal, pay attention".

The author urges us to go further, tell a story, bring in details, push yourself as these are what photography is all about.

A great story of courage for the sake of history and for the sake of a heavy story.

Look for a theme in your pictures. Thats how Wild Flowers was made.

A master has a technique. When it is revealed, you understand that what you suspected is true with this proof. Here Meyerowitz takes a picture in color and black and white, to understand color.

Photography is a huge subject that falls into many categories: macro, nature, portrait, event, and with this book, street. And while many aspects of photography are universal across the disciplines, I feel those looking to become or enhance/analyze street photography will find this most inspiring and useful. Street photography isn't about just candid portraiture and certainly Meyerowitz was fortunate to grow up in a major city (New York) that has provided him with so much inspiration. From amusingly lit alleyway doors to a screaming child in front of a car, it's so much about patience, positioning, and especially moment. And while most of the portraits are from the 1960s and 1970s, I appreciate the time Mr. Meyerowitz has put into a heartfelt discussion of his craft.

Most of the book is small chapters of tips with 3-4 photographs and accompanying text. They are brief: about five pages each. Topics range from finding inspiration, not being bashful, capturing the defining moment (a la Cartier-Bresson), using your head and heart, composition ideas, knowing your camera, color or black and white, light as a subject, etc.. In very personal text, Meyerowitz describes how he came about his craft and how his past influenced his ability to capture some of his most engaging images. It's always a pleasure to read a photographer's own words/descriptions for his images.

Yes, at times this felt like an endless advertisement for the Master of Photography videos. E.g., quite a few times, we are given rather useless product placement. E.g, "When I was out filming the Master of Photography series, I came across this spot......." It's just useless information thrown in there more as a hard sell than adding to the conversation or understanding of the art or an image. The acknowledgement at the end of how much Meyerowitz like working with the people at Masters of Photography probably tells a lot about why he put in so much product placement. But it is always a turn off when someone tries so hard to plug something.

I always look for interesting discussions of equipment as much as a final image's meaning. But there isn't a lot here about the equipment other than that Meyerowitz hated the 50mm and stuck with the 35MM. This is definitely a book about inspiration rather than technical, with a hard focus on capturing decisive moments and what to do to ensure the stars align for the perfect shot.

As a portrait photographer, I don't do a lot of street photography and instead concentrate on the commercial aspect of selling my work to public and private sectors. So there wasn't enough in there for me in that regard; if I shot my clients as Meyerowitz does, I wouldn't sell much (which is why I am probably a terrible street photographer and should use this book as a stepping board to shoot that more). What I got most from the book is that the man has a great heart and truly loves photography. That his greatest asset is his ability to be genial and put people at ease so they give him images that are candid and meaningful. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

I wouldn't even bother with a review because I cannot open this book. But I am writing because I am annoyed that you don't say in the publicity for this book that it has to be downloaded to a computer.....I do not read books hunched over my laptop. I read books comfortably sitting on a couch against pillows. This has a one star because 1. I cannot open it with Acrobat and 2. I wouldn't want to read it on my laptop.