Streets Ahead – Thirtieth Edition – Street Mobile Photography

Welcome  to our first installment of “Streets Ahead” for 2014! I have to confess, this showcase was not an easy one to curate.  Our Flickr Group has collected such a wonderful pool of images from our membership… but unfortunately, we have only so much space allotted for this column. So… I highly suggest that after viewing this video, you pour yourself a cup of coffee and head over to Flickr for a proper tour.

Also, before closing, I wanted to share one of my very favorite books with you that I’ve been revisiting this past month. It is one that I always turn to when I reach an artistic crossroad or need to deeply self-reflect. It’s titled: “The Art Spirit” by Robert Henri. Yep. I know. Robert Henri was a painter… not a photographer.  However, once we get past his choice of medium, we will find that he was an amazing teacher of The Arts… in any medium.  I have a quote of his tacked on my wall, hanging above my computer. I read these words every day… but only recently did it strike me that this understanding applies to ALL artists. Even street photographers 🙂

“When the artist is alive in any person, whatever his kind of work may be, he becomes an inventive, searching, daring, self-expressive creature. He becomes interesting to other people. He disturbs, upsets, enlightens, and opens ways for a better understanding. Where those who are not artists are trying to close the book, he opens it and shows there are still more pages possible.”

— Robert Henri, “The Art Spirit”

*sigh*

This quote always gets me thinking… (and what’s really hard to believe is that I don’t even get “miffed” at his misuse of gender! Because I’m sure that if Robert Henri were alive today, he’d correct his words 🙂 )

Oh well… that’s another topic for discussion.

Many MANY warm wishes to you all for a very Happy, Healthy and Creatively Productive New Year! Streets Ahead has certainly grown a lot since this group was formed in the Spring of 2013… and it’s all due to your wonderful enthusiasm and support for this column and collective! Please accept my humble thanks and deep gratitude _/\_

If you are a woman street photographer, please join our growing community… I’m sure that you will agree that we are a very enthusiastic and supportive group of women!!

• Flickr Group (for weekly showcase submissions)

• Facebook Group (for information sharing/discussions)

Hope you enjoy the showcase!