I thought it would be fun for the gurus that make the final say or distinguish the difference between, Street, Documentary, and Everyday photography to shed some light or guidance On. When a photographer goes out to shoot in essence she or he are documenting something that is happening. everyday Within this moment of time there are elements that occur. While we attempt to tell a story. Elements of mood become present from the story itself. Then the question become complex as we portray are we enter the Portrait of the subject and the person in addition.

On one 1x if feels as if a portrait is is shot with a strobe, No mater how beautiful or wonderful its just an illustration of something taken out of time and most often has no real connection. This is not wrong, nor is it right. BUt It feels like a judgment call. The portrait can be something that happens in reality as everyday, but was that aspect of the story a documentary? Then did this moment move you , so is it Mood?

Lets not leave out the Street. For me street is anything that happens outside or inside. Then again we are doing documentary work.

I use to think Documentary work was an in depth study on person place or thing that is reacting or existing or surviving in coexistence with another element that effects the outcome of one's life.

Hi wings,

The difference is simple.

- If you are working with (D-)SLR you are doing 'documentary'
- If you are working with rangefinder camera you are doing 'street'
- If you are working with MF camera you are doing 'everyday'.

(just kidding... though it is not completely pointless)

More seriously I am not sure that discussing those distinctions is very important. It could be for 1X screening purpose though, because whatever it is said I believe a pic put in the wrong category starts with a handicap (at least for member screening, and assuming MS has a real importance in the publishing).

There are probably some rough characteristics, such as :
- "street" shots should be generally candid shots in any public place, involving some juxtaposition or tension.
- "Documentary" emphasizes more on the facts (whereas a street photo can be totally uninteresting for that matter). And "Everyday" can be seen as a sub-category for documentary as well, but for specific everyday situations (as opposed to "exotic" or unusual, or whatever more associated with PJ)
Also environmental portraits can be included in the three categories, depending on how they fits with regards to the main criteria.

But this can lead to never-ending and heated discussions IMO, which are not very helpful practically.

There is a very famous controversial photo, and a terrible one "Vulture and the child" from PJ Kevin Carter which IMO raises enough questions on the concept of documentary photo.

not to mention that you have to be "knighted" by the photog god's to be a street photog, not everyone with a rangefinder is allowed...

Ohh then I should not put my street photos on "street" even when I use RF and BW film.
All go to "Documentary" then.. I'm assuming P&S are accpeted as well...