Street photography is all about capturing the essence of everyday life in public spaces. But what happens when that everyday life becomes surreal? Surrealism in street photography is a fascinating way to capture the bizarre and the unexpected in the mundane. In this blog post, we’ll explore what surrealism is, and how it can be applied to street photography to create stunning, thought-provoking images.
What is Surrealism?
Surrealism is an artistic movement that emerged in the early 20th century, characterized by dreamlike or bizarre imagery that defies logical explanation. Surrealists sought to tap into the unconscious mind and bring forth images that challenged the viewer’s perceptions of reality. Famous surrealist artists include Salvador Dali, René Magritte, and Max Ernst.
How Can Surrealism be Applied to Street Photography?
Street photography is a genre that lends itself well to surrealism. The unpredictability of everyday life in public spaces means that there are often bizarre and unexpected moments to be captured. By employing surrealist techniques in street photography, photographers can create images that challenge the viewer’s perceptions of reality, and encourage them to see the world in a new light.
One of the key techniques used in surrealism is the juxtaposition of seemingly unrelated objects or elements. In street photography, this could involve capturing a person walking past a building with an unusual shape or texture, or a group of people standing next to a street sign with a surreal message. By combining these disparate elements, photographers can create images that are both surreal and thought-provoking.
Another technique used in surrealism is the manipulation of scale and perspective. In street photography, this could involve capturing an everyday object from an unusual angle or distance, making it appear larger or smaller than it would normally be. This can create a sense of disorientation and unease in the viewer, as they try to reconcile what they are seeing with their expectations of reality.
Surrealism in street photography is a fascinating way to capture the unexpected and the bizarre in everyday life. By employing surrealist techniques such as juxtaposition and scale manipulation, photographers can create images that challenge the viewer’s perceptions of reality, and encourage them to see the world in a new light. So next time you’re out and about with your camera, keep an eye out for those surreal moments – you never know what you might capture!