On Street Photography and Social Documentary Photography

Street Photography and Social Documentary Photography are closely related but not the same. Lets talk about some of the key difference, in my view:

Street Photography  

In general, the main Focus of Street Photography is Candid moments in public places for BEST results, The Style ought to be spontaneous, artistic, focused on the moment, an unrepeatable harmony of Chaos, occasionally with a humorous narrative or contradictory.  One could say that the Purpose of Street Photography is More about observation and message rather than Recording a “Time Event”  

Social Documentary Photography  

Again in General, The Focus of Social and or Documentary Photography is  Real-life issues and Time Events such as poverty, class, labour, inequality, etc and often ( but not always ) Long term projects. The Style Can be candid or posed & spontaneous for live events which are more structured. The Purpose is To tell a story or highlight a social condition or cause.  An Example would be A photo series about housing conditions or migrant workers ( Social ) , or a Live Demonstrations or Festivals etc ( Documentary ) 

Social documentary photography can and might include street scenes, But not all Street Photography is Documentary in intent.

In General ( But Not Exclusively ) 

Street Photography is  Moment-Driven  

Social Documentary is  Message-Driven

Street Photography and Documentary Photography might overlap, but serve different aims.

Through a Documentary Photographer with a Street Photography Eye, enjoys both worlds!