My Definition of Gatekeeping in Photography and Why It Needs To Stop

Somebody told me to look up the word gatekeeping. Miriam Webster says it can mean a couple of different things, so here is my definition as it applies to photography.

Gatekeeping by discouragement. That is when somebody tells you to stop doing what you are doing because it is not good enough for you to be in the room. In our world, that room is street photography.

Here is the problem. Beginners pick up a camera, they take their first street photos, and they come to YouTube looking for tips. What they need is encouragement. What they get, too often, is some self-appointed bouncer telling them they are not good enough to get in the club.

“They need to be encouraged, not discouraged. And so gatekeeping by discouragement to me is a real thing.”

You are no different than the bouncer that only lets the hot girls into the club to raise the image of the club. And that is not a compliment.

The club of street photography is all inclusive. You never need to prove your credentials to be part of it. Now go shoot.