Saturday, May 26, 2012

Street Fashion Photography


I have a little something different planned for today's Saturday Blogger Love.  Instead of a blog, it's an article I read online, that got my brain going.  


I have fashion on the brain right now.  I read this article over on Refinery 29 about the evolution of street style photography, and where it's going in the future.    I remember looking at Bill Cunningham's photos in college, and thinking they were reminiscent of the Farm Security Administration (FSA) photography group that thrived during the great depression from about 1935 -1944.  The FSA program was formed during the New Deal, and photographers were hired by the government to document the daily lives of the common people.  Amazing photographs capturing the true essence of that era were created by great photographers like Dorothea Lange and Walker Evans.  The photos were meant to be used as educational material, and for the media to help the public fight against poverty in rural America.  Bill Cunningham's photos definitely send an entirely different message, but there is a familiarity between the two styles.  Here are a few examples of my favorite photos from the FSA group.






Do you see the similarity I see?  The FSA photos and Cunningham's street style photos both tell a story about the people of America, albeit two completely different stories.  Whether America is poor or doing well we like to dress fashionable.  Look at the man in the suit!  I can't imagine there were too many people that could afford a full suit in 1939, but that doesn't mean they didn't own them.  Maybe it's not a good thing that we are willing to spend more on clothing than we are on quality food, but that's a whole different topic!  

As for the future of street photography, with everyone becoming a photographer, and/or fashion journalist/blogger, there will be a lot less room at the top.  But!!  I don't think that means that people will ever stop wanting to know how other people around the world are living.  Street fashion photography doesn't just say 'hey, this is what's in. wear this trend!', it speaks about the current culture, economy, and values of everyday people.  Just the other day I was on Chictopia checking out what ladies are wearing in Romania.  I love that at the tip of my fingertips, I can look at what's current in fashion anywhere in the world .  It truly blows my mind.  Just amazing.  So obviously, I don't think street fashion photography is going anywhere.  

That's all for today,  happy Saturday and Happy DIYing, chris!  

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