Ready to take your street photography to the next level? In this post, we’ll explore ten essential books that every street photographer needs to read. These best-selling titles are packed with insights, inspiration, and practical tips.

From capturing the perfect moment to uncovering the rich history behind the lens, these books will change the way you see the world of Street Photography. Whether you’re a pro or just getting started, these reads will fuel your passion and sharpen your skills.

Dive into the captivating world of street photography with these 10 must-have books!

“Street Photography Now” by Sophie Howarth and Stephen McLaren

• This book features the work of 46 contemporary street photographers from around the globe, including Bruce Gilden and Trent Parke.
• Excerpt: “Street photography is a vibrant and popular photographic genre, capturing everyday life in public spaces with candour and immediacy.”
• It showcases diverse styles and techniques, such as the candid and confrontational approach of Bruce Gilden and the surreal, dreamlike imagery of Trent Parke.
• Stats: The book has over 240 pages and includes more than 300 photographs.

“The Street Photographer’s Manual” by David Gibson

• David Gibson is a founding member of the well-known street photography collective, In-Public.
• Excerpt: “Street photography is a way of seeing and responding to the world; it is about capturing moments that are candid and often unnoticed.”
• The book includes practical exercises like “Shoot from the hip” and “Layering” to help photographers develop their skills.
• Stats: It contains over 200 images and is structured around 20 projects designed to inspire photographers.

“Magnum Contact Sheets” by Kristen Lubben

• This book reveals the working process of Magnum photographers by showcasing their contact sheets, providing a behind-the-scenes look at how iconic images were created.
• Excerpt: “By studying the contact sheets, we can see the thought process and choices made by photographers such as Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Capa, and Elliott Erwitt.”
• It features famous contact sheets, such as Robert Capa’s D-Day landing and Henri Cartier-Bresson’s images from the liberation of Paris.
• Stats: The book is 500 pages long and includes over 100 contact sheets from Magnum’s archive.

“Vivian Maier: A Photographer Found” by John Maloof

• Vivian Maier’s work was discovered posthumously when John Maloof purchased a box of her negatives at an auction.
• Excerpt: “Maier’s images capture the essence of mid-20th century American life, with a particular focus on the streets of Chicago.”
• The book includes poignant portraits of everyday people, street scenes, and self-portraits, reflecting her unique perspective.
• Stats: It contains over 240 pages and features more than 200 photographs, many of which had never been seen before Maloof’s discovery​ (Shotkit)​​ (Photography Life)​.

“Bystander: A History of Street Photography” by Joel Meyerowitz and Colin Westerbeck

• Joel Meyerowitz is a pioneer in colour street photography, and this book is considered a seminal text on the subject.
• Excerpt: “Street photography is the most democratic form of photography; it is accessible to anyone with a camera and a willingness to observe.”
• The book covers the work of early street photographers like Eugène Atget and contemporary practitioners like Garry Winogrand.
• Stats: It spans 400 pages and includes hundreds of images tracing the evolution of street photography from the 19th century to the present day.

“Henri Cartier-Bresson: The Mind’s Eye” by Henri Cartier-Bresson

• Cartier-Bresson is often referred to as the father of modern photojournalism and is known for his concept of the “decisive moment.”
• Excerpt: “To take a photograph is to align the head, the eye, and the heart. It’s a way of life.”
• The book includes essays on topics such as the philosophy of photography and the influence of art on Cartier-Bresson’s work.
• Stats: It comprises a collection of Cartier-Bresson’s writings over 156 pages, offering deep insights into his thought processes.

“The Decisive Moment” by Henri Cartier-Bresson

• First published in 1952, this book is considered one of the most influential photography books of the 20th century.
• Excerpt: “The decisive moment, it is the simultaneous recognition, in a fraction of a second, of the significance of an event as well as of a precise organization of forms.”
• The book features iconic images like “Behind the Gare Saint-Lazare,” demonstrating Cartier-Bresson’s mastery of capturing fleeting moments.
• Stats: It includes 126 photographs and spans 160 pages, with a print run of 10,000 copies for the first edition.
• The new cover is for the pre-order edition.

“Street Photography: Creative Vision Behind the Lens” by Valérie Jardin

• With both training and preparation, a street photographer needs to make rapid decisions; there may only be a fraction of a second to immortalize a moment in time that has never happened before and will never happen again. This is where Street Photography: Creative Vision Behind the Lens comes in.
• Follow Valérie Jardin on an inspiring photo walk around the world. After an overview of the practical and technical aspects of street photography, Valérie takes you along on a personal photographic journey as she hits the streets of her favourite urban haunts. She shows you the art of storytelling through her photographs, from envisioning the image to actually capturing it in the camera. Learn about the technical and compositional choices she makes and the thought process that spurs the click of the shutter.
• Perfect for both the new photographer excited to capture the world around them and for the experienced street photographer wishing to improve their techniques and images, Street Photography requires no special equipment, just a passion for seeing and capturing the extraordinary in the ordinary.

“Daido Moriyama: How I Take Photos” by Takeshi Moriyama

• Daido Moriyama is a Japanese photographer known for his gritty, high-contrast black-and-white images.
• Excerpt: “Photography is a medium that captures the fleeting nature of reality, a way to document the chaos and beauty of the world around us.”
• The book offers practical tips on shooting street photography, including advice on equipment and technique, with examples from Moriyama’s work.
• Stats: It spans 208 pages and includes numerous photographs and step-by-step guides.

“Humans of New York” by Brandon Stanton

• This book is based on the popular blog of the same name, which features portraits and interviews with people on the streets of New York City.
• Excerpt: “Everyone has a story, and every story is worth hearing.”
• The book includes stories and portraits of diverse New Yorkers, from the homeless to celebrities, highlighting their unique experiences.
• Stats: It contains 304 pages and features hundreds of portraits, with over 30,000 copies sold in the first week of its release​ (ExpertPhotography)​.

The journey of street photography is as much about discovery as it is about skill. These books are more than just guides; they are doorways into the minds of the greatest photographers, offering you a glimpse of their world and the secrets to their success. By immersing yourself in their wisdom and experiences, you’ll not only enhance your technical prowess but also enrich your artistic vision. So grab a book, hit the streets, and start capturing the extraordinary in the ordinary.

Happy shooting!