I read a very interesting article in Rangefinder today.  It is called Confessions of a Street Walker by Martin Elkort.  It talked about the essence of street photography, and the relationship between the photographer and the strangers on the street.  I especially like how Elkort described the role of a photographer relative to the world:

"Street photography forces the photographer to define who he is, what he is made of and how he presents himself to a potentially hostile world".

In street photography, a photographer essentially captures the moments of people's everyday lives, and converts each moment into something meaningful that can convey a mood, an emotion, or even a story.  A street photographer is like a narrator who is withdrawn from the crowd, and tells a story from a third-person point of view.  Although withdrawn, the photographer brings the emotions, mood, and story of the scene straight to the viewers.

Stealth is also an important element in street photography, as Elkort mentioned.  Taking pictures without the knowledge of the subjects often reveals the most natural aspect of life without pretense.  Elkort put it best:

"Once a subject realizes you are taking a picture, there is a shift in attitude.  Ego and emotions kick in and influence the subject's posture, expression, train of thought and action, changing the scene's dynamic...  Street photography is about being truthful by taking pictures of life as it is lived each day".

And, that is what street photography does; it captures and documents every moment of life, and creates a journal of life through the eyes of the photographer.

The original article can be viewed here