There are a number of defining moments been in the history of street photography. The list below is by no means comprehensive, but it gives you a nice overview. Some things make sense, but some will hopefully make you think.
Invention of the portable camera
The invention of the portable camera in the late 19th century, such as the Leica camera in 1925, made it easier for photographers to shoot on the street and capture spontaneous moments.
The rise of the New York School of Photography
New York School of Photography photographers, including Robert Frank and Diane Arbus, took groundbreaking street photographs in the 1950s and 1960s that changed the way people looked at the world.
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 pioneering street work.
The invention of colour film
The invention of colour film in the 1930s made it possible to capture street scenes in colour, allowing photographers to discover new ways to tell their stories.
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 in the United States.
Digitisation of photography
The digital revolution of the 1990s and 2000s took street photography to new heights, where photographers were no longer dependent on film and could concentrate on capturing the moment.
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 new inspiration from others in the street photography community.
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English (UK)