Street Art in Street Photography

The proposal I bring to CCC's Street Art Contest #289 is a little different from the usual ones. This publication does not focus on a particular piece of street art, but rather highlights street art as a partner to street photography. Although they are distinct disciplines, they share the same DNA: the street as a stage, ephemerality as a rule, and social messaging as a driving force.

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When a street photographer encounters a work of street art, they seek interaction, looking for all the elements to align. The visual dialogue that occurs when a pedestrian passes in front of a mural seems to complete the work, opening it up to new interpretations. Humor and irony can also enrich the message when there is a coincidence—or direct conflict—between expressions or clothing and the art on the wall.

The human element also provides a correct reading of the scale of a street art mural. Photographs are often misleading: large works appear small in photographs, or small works appear large in photographs. The human scale provides a more accurate reading, especially when we do not have physical visual access.