Bey, Girl and Boy Sitting on the Stoop, Washington, DC, 1989

Street Portraits marked a significant shift in Dawoud Bey's photographic practice, as he moved from using a 35mm small-format camera to the more conspicuous 4×5 inch view camera. This change not only altered the aesthetic of his work but also deepened his engagement with his subjects. Using Type 55 Polaroid film, Bey created a collaborative and reciprocal process: after sitting for a portrait, each subject received an instant 4×5 inch print, while Bey kept the large-format negative for making enlarged prints in the darkroom. These enlargements captured the fine details of his sitters, their expressions, style, and presence, offering a vivid and dignified portrayal that serves as a cultural and historical record. Street Portraits thus captures genuine, intimate moments between photographer and subject, grounded in the specific time, place, and social atmosphere in which they were made.