Charlie Yang shares several similarities with street photography legends, aligning with the key philosophies and styles that have defined the genre.
- Candid and Authentic Moments: Like Henri Cartier-Bresson, often called the father of street photography, Charlie Yang emphasizes capturing the “decisive moment” — those spontaneous, unplanned instances that convey the essence of life on the streets. Both photographers value authenticity and rawness in their images.
- Documenting Urban Life: Yang, much like Bruce Gilden, focuses on urban environments, especially the fast-paced, crowded streets of Taiwan. He often captures the energy, chaos, and beauty of everyday life, emphasizing the interaction between people and their surroundings.
- Minimal Equipment: Yang, similar to photographers like Garry Winogrand and Daido Moriyama, prefers a minimalist approach to gear, sometimes using compact cameras like the Ricoh GR series. This allows for a greater degree of mobility and spontaneity, crucial for street photography.
- Embracing Imperfections: Like Moriyama, who is known for his gritty, often blurry and high-contrast black-and-white images, Charlie Yang embraces the imperfections that come with street photography. Instead of focusing on technical precision, he values emotion and storytelling.
- Cultural Documentation: Yang, like Vivian Maier, uses his photography as a form of social and cultural documentation. His photos serve as a reflection of Taiwanese life, documenting the rapid changes in the urban environment and the everyday people who inhabit it.
These similarities place Charlie Yang in line with street photography legends, continuing the tradition of capturing authentic human moments in a rapidly changing world.