Street photography belongs in the museum, and not just in frames, hung on the walls. Museums are temples of art, color, geometry and history. A street photographer walking through an art museum becomes a meta-artist, creating new art. They take their images to a new level, combining timeless art and transitory human interactions into a new collage.
There is something particularly magical about museum street photography and capturing ephemeral humans appreciating ageless art. But it´s not easy. There are high ceilings, varying washes of light, dramatic displays, and rooms of unpredictable color, height and size. Seurat´s Sunday Afternoon requires a sunny distance. Joseph Cornell´s claustrophobic tiny shadow box rooms make viewers huddle very close to the dim mood-filled displays.
Museum street photography also requires some special camera magic. The dynamic range of light and movement in museum photography can be extraordinary, even extreme. No flash, just lush detail, if you capture it.
The lighting in the museums as captured on my camera is ethereal and dramatic. People are lost in thought in front of the Art. A relaxed, calm atmosphere pervades the photos, along with all the detail of medium format. You come in close, always mindful of the interactions between the art lovers and the works of art.
There is density and dimensionality in medium format. If you find Medium Street takes you into an art museum, relax, take in the special ambiance and watch for the magic that develops through your viewfinder.
Short Stories on Medium Street
Walk and watch. There are small plays all around you on Medium Street, if you learn to see like a street photographer.
Dark Shadows on Medium Street
What better holiday than Halloween to discuss dark photography. An evening dining al fresco. A rainy night stroll. A walk down a
Walking With Vivian
What is street photography? Depends on who you ask! It’s a metaphor, it’s a memory, it’s a frozen moment, it’s a document
Old Friends and a New Lens on Medium Street
Sweaters? Dark mornings? How did that happen!? Chicago is grudgingly surrendering its idyllic 2024 Summer. As the smell of pumpkin spice crowds
Just Breathe On Medium Street
Electric fusion of Mexican Latino rhythms, tacos, tiny magical alebrije dogs and frogs, carved from wood and whimsically painted. Families in flag
Artistic Skinship on Medium Street
Twice a year Chicago hosts the largest “Call to Arms” in the country. The Villain Arts Chicago Tattoo Festival fills a cavernous
Dog Days of Summer
Dogs, dogs, dogs. You meet many interesting people during photo walks and dogs are some of the most interesting “people” that you
A Multi-Cultural Medium
Chicago is a tapestry of cultures and every summer they celebrate in the street. Every weekend, festivals honor neighborhoods, foods, authentic dress,
The Museum Is the Medium
Street photography belongs in the museum, and not just in frames, hung on the walls. Museums are temples of art, color, geometry
The Big Medium
When life is big, bright, and popping with color all around, you’ve just turned onto Medium Street. There is nothing small-format about
Hot and (Medium) Heavy
I just tell myself “He ain’t heavy, he’s my….camera!” walking with my big Fuji in the sweltering heat of a surprise Summer
Oh, The Places You´ll Go, When You Go Medium
You might worry about using a medium format camera for street photography. It´s bigger. It´s out there. You are Out There. Do
