The history of street photography
The beginnings of street photography
The history of street photography goes back to the invention of the camera. But it was only in the twentieth century that the genre really developed into an art form.
The beginnings of street photography can be traced to the start of the twentieth century, when photography enthusiasts began experimenting with capturing city life. One of the first known street photographers was Eugene Atget, who worked in Paris in the early twentieth century. Atget was known for his images of the streets and architecture of Paris and is often regarded as the father of street photography.
In the 1930s and 1940s Henri Cartier-Bresson began photographing the world. He was one of the founders of photojournalism and known for his ability to capture decisive moments. Cartier-Bresson was also a pioneer of street photography and is known for his images of daily life in cities all over the world.
Smaller cameras meant more street photographers
After the Second World War street photography grew steadily more popular and began to develop as an art form. Photographers such as Robert Frank and Garry Winogrand became famous for their images of American life in the 1950s and 1960s. In the 1970s and 1980s street photography developed further and new styles and techniques were introduced. Important in this, of course, was the arrival of ever smaller cameras. Lugging a tripod and more besides was suddenly no longer necessary.
For me this is the most interesting period. Let us be honest: we all love those gentlemen in top hats and the urchins on the street corner. It is not nostalgia, simply a wonderful black and white image to look at. It calls to mind old films, slapstick, and also a time when people seem to have been more carefree. When smoking was still healthy, so to speak.
From black and white to colour
One of the most important street photographers of this period was Alex Webb. Webb was known above all for his colour photographs and his ability to build complex images with several layers. He travelled the world to make photographs and was known for his images of Latin America and the Caribbean. Webb’s work has often been compared to that of painters, for the richness of its colour and the layering of its images.
In the 1990s and 2000s street photography was increasingly recognised as an important art form and began to reach a wider audience. Photographers such as Martin Parr and Bruce Gilden became known for their satirical and sometimes provocative images of modern life. New styles of street photography emerged as well, among them vernacular photography, in which photographers focus on capturing the unintended beauty of everyday objects and scenes.
The marvels of daily life are exciting; no movie director can arrange the unexpected that you find in the street.
- Robert Doisneau
Digital photography and social media change street photography
The rise of digital photography and social media has changed and broadened street photography further. Photographers can now share their work easily and receive feedback from an audience across the world. That has led to a greater diversity of styles and approaches.
In recent years street photography has developed and widened further, with more emphasis on themes such as urban change, migration, identity and politics. Street photographers such as Daido Moriyama and Trent Parke have pushed the boundaries with their experimental techniques and abstract images. Valerie Jardin talks about contemplative photography, and I like that term a great deal. Photograph what you feel, not only what you see. It leaves plenty of room for your own interpretation.
The history of street photography shows how a remarkable art form has developed over more than a century. What began as capturing urban reality with the first cameras grew into a celebrated photographic genre that reflects the essence of everyday life. Pioneers such as Eugène Atget and Henri Cartier-Bresson laid the foundations and inspired later generations of photographers to explore new directions in style, technique and expression. With the arrival of smaller cameras, colour, digital techniques and social media, street photography continues to reinvent and expand itself. It is not only a look back at the past, but above all a living, ongoing dialogue between photographer, street and viewer.
Key moments in street photography
There have been a number of defining moments in the history of street photography. The list below is by no means exhaustive, but it gives you a useful overview. Some things will seem obvious, but others will hopefully give you something to think about.
The rise of the New York School of Photography
The photographers of the New York School of Photography, including Robert Frank and Diane Arbus, produced groundbreaking street photographs in the 1950s and 1960s that changed the way people saw the world.
The invention of the portable camera
The invention of the portable camera in the late 19th century, such as the Leica in 1925, made it far easier for photographers to shoot on the street and capture spontaneous moments.
The Magnum Photos Agency
Founded in 1947, the Magnum Photos Agency played a crucial role in the development of street photography. Magnum photographers such as Henri Cartier-Bresson and Garry Winogrand became known for their groundbreaking work on the street.
The invention of colour film
The invention of colour film in the 1930s made it possible to capture street scenes in colour, opening up new ways for photographers to tell their stories.
The digitalisation of photography
The digital revolution of the 1990s and 2000s took street photography to new heights. Photographers were no longer dependent on film and could focus entirely on capturing the moment.
Street photography as a political statement
In the 1960s and 1970s, photographers such as Danny Lyon and Bruce Davidson used their cameras as a political statement, documenting social unrest and change across the United States.
The rise of Instagram
With the rise of Instagram and other social media, it has become easier for photographers to share their work with a wider audience and find fresh inspiration from others in the street photography community.
Ready to hit the streets yourself?
Reading history is one thing, making it yourself is another. Here is what is coming up soon.
Nijmegen
Conceptual street photography workshop
Saturday 19 September 2026 · last-minute discount
Usually € 295, now € 195
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Paris street photography masterclass
Friday 25 and Saturday 26 September 2026 · last-minute discount
Usually € 695, now € 595
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