Above are my final set of street photography photos. Highlighting the daily lives of individuals and how to someone else they may not seem important, but to them everything is of importance. I tried to focus on taking photos of people going about their lives, however with only one or two people in the frame, to emphasize the subject and their importance and relevance. This was done in a way to mimic Daido Moriyama’s style of street photography, which is very up-front and authentic in terms of documenting people’s actions throughout Japan. All in all I chose these photos to display as they correspond the most with my statement of intent and author, as well as are good examples of what street photography is and can be.

Displayed above is one of the images from the main set, featuring a man using his phone whilst on a scooter. I specifically chose this photo to discuss as it is my least favorite out of the set. This is because whilst it is a decent street photography photo, it wasn’t done as well as it could have been. The photo was zoomed in and taken from a distance, meaning the quality isn’t as good as it can be. As well as the subject is in the center of the frame, which i feel like lessens the interesting ambiguity that some street photographs can have, which usually enhances the photos’ meaning. However, I do think the decision to make all of the photos black and white helped this photo in particular is it sort of hides the grain and lower quality of the photo, as well as still sharpening and accentuating the light shining on the car in the back. The photo is also very still and calm, which can be a good thing however in this instance it is more of a hindrance. This is because it doesn’t allow as many questions to be asked, such as if the scooter was moving questions like, where is he going? Is he going fast or slow? Is there hidden context? All are pieces of curiosity left out due to the dulness of the action in the photo itself. Limiting the viewers imagination and time spent on the photo. However, whilst this is the “worst photo”, it is still an important piece of the set and still aligns with my statement of intent and goal of mimicking Daido Moriyama’s photography style.

The photo displayed above is another one from the set, however this time it is  my favorite. It is a black and white back shot photo featuring someone walking forwards with an umbrella in hand. I like this photo in particular because of the angle it was taken at, as well as how the light shines on the pavement. The angle because the subject is close to being in the middle but not exactly, making it aesthetic but still keeping that general feeling of ambiguity with the character not geometrically in frame. Unlike the last photo,  this photo was not taken at a distance and thus has a higher quality. Further enhancing the shine and contrast of the bright light on the dark pavement, accentuated by the black and white filter. This photo is also very good due to it showing movement, the movement of someone walking forwards. It begs the viewer to ask questions, where are they going? Why aren’t they centered? What would the front angle of this shot look like? Generating thoughts and feelings about the photo that may not be present in others, such as the previously mentioned one of the still man on the scooter, which could be seen as bland and uninspiring to some. I also chose this photo in particular due to its closeness to Daido Moriyama’s style of photography. It shows the authenticity of someone’s daily life and I feel the umbrella itself is a nice touch to emphasize this. This is in relation to Moriyama’s specific technique of being very up front and genuine, not being afraid to show the simplicity and harshness of life (although these photos aren’t exactly harsh). Which I feel was reflected very well in this photo in particular. As well as utilizing his method of making it black and white, which has only improved the photo and its relation to Moriyama.

All in all I think this photo set has been successful in fulfilling my statement of intent and attempting to mimic Daido Moriyama’s style of photography. Utilizing his methods of authenticity and black and white photography to display people’s daily lives and the emotions that may come from it. Provoking thoughts and feelings that may not be found elsewhere, all in the search of peoples’ humanity.

The artist i have chosen to take inspiration from is Daido Moriyama. He is a Japanese photographer known for his black-and-white street photos. He started out taking photos that highlighted Japan’s urban life post world war 2. Displaying humanity very rawly in gritty yet descriptive photos. I would like to replicate his photos that show people’s day to day lives and the significance of our actions and interactions. As I feel the simple things are sometimes the most significant, which Moriyama’s work highlights best. The images displayed above are the ones from him that I have found to be the most inspiring and meaningful. The essence of people’s day-to-day lives can be found in his photos, which I think is very beautiful.

My favorite of these photos is probably the one in the bottom right, the one with the lady with the umbrella. It appears to be daytime yet half of the frame is covered in black, all next to the lady with the umbrella in her hand. Making the impression that the umbrella itself is casting this shadow. Or that it represents that there are 2 sides to the lady. The side of her walking in the light, half of her body in the middle of the road. Whilst the other side being cast in darkness, hidden in the side of the alley.

An adjective I would use to describe Daido Moriyama’s work is “Humanity”. As that is what is at the core of all of his photos, humanity and how we act. Whether it be the lady in the umbrella, the man with the plants, or the lone person in a jacket, cast in darkness. All of these photos display people simply going about their lives, yet no one knows what brought them there, why they’re doing that, or how they feel about their time in life. Are they happy? Sad? Content? It is left unclear. This is also further emphasized by the lack of color itself. Projecting further uncertainty about the context of the photos, leaving them ambiguous. Open to interpretation about why it was taken, and who it was that became the subject of these photos.

Overall, Daido Moriyama’s photos are compelling and thought-provoking pieces that cause the reader to wonder, about who it is that was in the photo, what they are doing, and why. Yet the one certainty that can be found in all of them, is the aspect of people. Different people, doing different things, at different times of day or in their lives. Which is what I aim to replicate in my street photography. The sense of ambiguity and question of one’s purpose.