To be more specific as time passed I’ve noticed a shift in the way I approach street photography, in the earlier days I’d be more open to photograph people on the streets and while I still do, I’ve adjusted to taking photos from more of a distance or ideally from angles where their faces aren’t directly in the frame. Feels a bit weird at times because you’d think that as you shoot more you get comfortable with these scenarios. Maybe it’s a form of growth to respect peoples personal space, a bit more but I also just prefer that look. I don’t think there is a right or wrong way to handle street photography but curious to hear what others have experienced over time.
I’m in the exact same boat. I’ve become more aware of the ways photography exploits people and more hesitant to participate in the exploitation. Taking photos without regards for the subject’s feelings seems a lot less problematic in a world where cameras were rarer and you had to be edited and curated in order for those photos to be seen. Now anyone can use anyone else for a few likes. Feels cheap to me.
In talking to people about this, I’ve learned that as a general rule the people most strongly opposed to being used in this way are also often those most marginalized and powerless in society. Not always, not universally, but it happens. Personally, I want to do my best to not punch down on people who are marginalized.
In addition, the value of street photos in a world where there are half a dozen cameras on every corner seems increasingly dubious to me. Too many moments, not enough composing.
All that said, I’ll defend in-your-face street photographers and their right to do what they do until you pry my overpriced Sony from my cold, dead hands. The few who do it well and use it to comment on the world in a unique way will continue to impress and inspire me. The value of street photography in documenting and commenting on the world over the last century plus is incredible undeniable - so my thoughts on its current power waning may be way out of line. But it’s no longer my goal, and it’s rare I find photos of strangers interesting these days.