08/19/2026
Nancy Merkling
⚫️ 7 basic rules of W. Eugene Smith when shooting street photography
→ You must have a goal in order to photograph
W. Eugene Smith was a humanitarian photographer. He documented countless wars, social issues, and even put his life on the line in doing so. He wasn’t interested in just making pretty photos – he wanted his photos to create an emotional resonance with his viewer, and to bring a certain story to life.
❝ I think the photographer should have some reason or purpose. I would hate to risk my life to take another bloody picture for the daily news, but if it might change man’s mind against war, then I feel that it would be worth my life. But I would never advise anybody else to make this decision. It would have to be their own decision. ❞ — W. Eugene Smith
→ Be respectful
Smith brings up the point that being human is more important than being a photographer. In certain life-or-death situations, to help your subjects is more important than just making a photograph.
→ Street photography can also be staged
Many people mistakenly believe that posing is excluded from street photography. Smith didn’t see it as a problem to pose a photograph, as long as it was to intensify the authenticity of a place or a scene. A photographer needs to be able to communicate with people.
→ Have control over your photos
W. Eugene Smith was obsessive when it came to printing his own work. He wouldn’t stop until he created what he believed was a “perfect” print.
❝ The same reason a great writer doesn’t turn his draft over to a secretary… I will retouch. ❞ — W. Eugene Smith
→ Take your time
We often rush our own work. We don’t let our photos sit and marinate long enough, and we often don’t spend enough time editing our shots. Therefore this leads us to uploading too much work on the internet, some which are good – but others which are only “so-so.”
So don’t feel the need to rush things – take your time with your work. The best projects take years, or even decades to finish. Take your time, and you will be rewarded.
→ Don’t worry about the finances
Smith was a man who didn’t get a damn about the issues of finances, fame, or reputation. He was only interested in making great work – it was an end into itself. He didn’t even care if nobody ever saw the photos, he had a deep drive in himself to create this work.
When Smith was working on his Pittsburgh project, he faced many financial setbacks. He wasn’t making money at the time, he was borrowing money from his family, and constantly short on funds. However he didn’t let this set him back.
→ Tell a story
W. Eugene smith had a burning curiosity to “go deep” with his projects. He didn’t just take a few pretty photos and take off. Rather, he embedded himself into the lives of his subjects and got to know them inside and out. This helped him create intimate portraits and images which really told stories.
