No Rules Street Photography (NRSP)

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About No Rules Street Photography (NRSP)

Above photo is the latest addition to our No Rules, No Nonsense Hall of Fame

Welcome! This is a street photography group that is about quality rather than rules. So we don't care if you shoot in b&w or colour. We don't care if you shoot up-close-and-personal or using a longer lens from a distance. We don't care if you shoot digitial or you shoot film. We don't care if you use a rangefinder, slr or compact. We don't care if your brand is Leica, Nikon or a basic point-and-shoot. We won't judge you on any of this. The street, after all, is all about freedom. The street isn't about imposing rules on anyone. So all that matters is the final shot. Quality is the only rule!

So what is Street Photography? As Wikipedia says: "Street photography is a type of documentary photography that features subjects in candid situations within public places such as streets, parks, beaches, malls, political conventions, and other settings...Street photography often tends to be ironic and can be distanced from its subject matter and often concentrates on a single human moment, caught at a decisive or poignant moment. On the other hand, much street photography takes the opposite approach and provides a very literal and extremely personal rendering of the subject matter, giving the audience a more visceral experience of walks of life they might only be passingly familiar with."

That isn't a rule, it's a definition. So break all the rules and let a definition guide you not restrict you!

Think about moments. Think about composition and aesthetics. Think about inspiring, challenging or amusing the viewer. Because all you will be judged on is the quality of the photo.

What connects all of these street photographers: Garry Winogrand. Henri Cartier-Bresson. Saul Leiter. Joel Meyerowitz. Philip-Lorca diCorcia? The answer is nothing, apart from the street. Some only shot in b&w. Some only shot in colour. Some only shot up close. Some shot using a longer lens. Some used a rangefinder. Some used heavy medium format cameras. Would you tell any of these they aren't street photographers because they don't follow some rule or other? Of course not. So forget about those who say this or that can only be Street Photography. We say nonsense! We say think about the quality of your street shots, not someone elses rules!

Remember...rules are meaningless but quality is everything!

If you need to understand what our moderation process means, then you might find this discussion" or this discussion useful.

The NRSP Online Exhibitions

Exhibition #1 (Mar 2012): Street Bow Wows