My street photography in Brussels

As a photographer, I think it’s almost impossible not to do some street photography at a certain point in your career as a hobbyist or professional. So here’s my Brussels street photography portfolio.

But let’s start with the definition of street photography first.

According to Wikipedia, it’s:

“Street photography is photography conducted for art or enquiry that features unmediated chance encounters and random incidents within public places.”

Which I do find funny. As there is no mention of people. Of course, the proximity of humanity is implied. Without humans, there would be no public places. Anyway, when discussing street photography, we often think about almost sneakily made pictures of people in black and white.

And I do enjoy those photos. But it’s not my style, I find.

It might be controversial, but I don’t think my photography should infringe on someone’s privacy. Of course, I don’t believe street photographers are morally wrong, and I enjoy their photos too much to have that kind of judgment anyway, which would be hypocritic.

But It’s something I do struggle with.

At the same time, I do find street photography too person-centric often. I don’t mind it, but I feel there’s more to it than that.

There has to be.

Also, I’m a coward.

Photographing someone without their permission and knowledge seems like a setup for a confrontation. And I’m conflict-averse.

But street photography is not just hunting the streets for people doing exciting stuff. Right?

Or it’s not just finding a lovely setting and waiting for the right person to walk into it. Right?

I mean, I do love that kind of photo. The two techniques are often referred to as hunting and fishing.

As someone more of a hunter, I do find the fishers intriguing. Probably because I could never do that, and I’m too impatient.

Maybe some fishers think the same about hunters.

Anyway, the streets and their people are an endless source of inspiration and opportunities for street photography, especially in a city like Brussels.

I’m not a great street photographer. I feel it’s a stretch to call me good even.

But I do have a bit of a portfolio. One that I like for myself but also to share here. You can judge (for yourself or in the comments) if I’m bad, okay, or even good.