Let's be honest - starting as a street photographer is not an easy task. Getting in the crowd, swept away by the flow of people can be overwhelming. On the other hand, it's exciting to leave the comfort of your home and try to document everyday life and society on the streets. Here I'll share some tips on how to have the correct attitude and make the most out of your photo walks.
Leave your subjects in a better place than before you met them
Nikon D5300, 35mm | f/4 1/50 ISO 320
Street photography ethics are a sensitive topic and photographers mostly have the freedom to choose how they behave. For me, how you treat your subjects and knowing your boundaries is extremely important and questioning your work and workflow from time to time is a good reality check.
Always be respectful of your subjects and leave them in a better state after you go in your separate directions. If they see you taking a photo of them, smile, give them a thumbs up or a compliment so they know you found something interesting about them that you wanted to capture. Your experience so much better when you make the subject feel good about themselves.
Warm-up
Nikon D5300, 35mm | f/8 1/80 ISO 160
First few photos within the first 10-15 minutes are always the hardest because you either feel uninspired, self-conscious or your trigger finger is still stiff.
That's why it's important to always start with a warm-up, which means just clicking and taking photos that might not be that interesting, but will get you in the zone quickly.
Be in the moment
Fuji x100f, 23mm | f/5.6 1/320 ISO 500
Most of us are often so preoccupied with the thoughts in our head that we fail to see endless opportunities around us or forget to actively look for them.
That's why it's important to disable all distractions when you go out there to shoot, which means turning off phone notifications, forgetting about problems and not worrying about future. Adapt to the energy of the place.
Also, I know shooting with friends is fun and makes you feel more comfortable, but if your goal is to be in the zone and take best photos, then shooting solo is the best way to go. It just gives you beautiful freedom to explore everything at your own pace.
Pick your camera settings and forget about them
Fuji x100f, 23mm | f/4 1/640 ISO 1000
Tied to the previous point, this is also very important. Usually when the opportunity presents itself, all you have time for is to raise the camera and press the shutter button. Everything is happening so fast in street photography that you can't afford to be unprepared because the perfect scene is gone quickly.
It's a good practice to stick to the same focal length so you always know how your frame will look like and where you need to be to capture the perfect photo. I usually shoot in aperture priority mode, with a minimum shutter speed of 1/125 to freeze any motion and auto ISO. Figure out what works best for your style of shooting and weather conditions and you'll be ready for "the decisive moment".
Enjoy the moment
Nikon D5300, 35mm | f/4.5 1/100 ISO 100
There are times when I'm outside on a beautiful day or travelling somewhere and I find myself pushing too hard to get some great photos while forgetting to actually embrace the moment. And let me tell you, it's not worth it. You'll be going through albums of perhaps beautiful photos, but missing the real experience.
Putting away camera from time to time to enjoy that sunset or a snow fall without stressing out is just as important.
I hope this was helpful or entertaining. I figured, to spice things up and to work on improving certain aspects of my photography, I'll be doing weekly challenges like:
- Clean background challenge
- Details and macro shots
- Shooting through windows and reflections
- Asking people for portraits
- Photographing gestures
- Finding order in mess
- Posting failures on Steemit
- High contrast light and shadows
- Shooting no further away than 1 meter
- Sequences
- Movement
- Double exposures
Let me know if you find any of these particularly interesting. :) If you enjoyed this post, you are welcome to upvote, comment and resteem it. Also make sure to follow @alcibiades so you don't miss my future posts.
This is all great advice. Thank you. I like your list of things to come. I really would appreciate the failures, especially if you explain what could have been done differently to correct it! (I'd like to learn from your mistakes!) Also, though, through windows and reflections, double exposures, light and shadows, order in mess, and macros. I've always wanted to get more into macro photography. Great to see another post after a while. :)
I could definitely post some failures that could have been great photos and explain what went wrong. Although I tend to delete unsuccessful shots, I'll pick some of those that can serve as a lesson.
Thanks for letting me know about which challenges you are particularly interested in! Expect to see them in the upcoming weeks. :)
Looking forward to it!
Love the woman by the...train? Or wall? That’s my fave shot here.
It’s interesting how we all have our own procedures and rituals. I agree with a lot of your process. Although I’ve never done a conscious warm-up. I’ve been sitting here trying to figure out if that’s something I do subconsciously. And I think I really don’t. I often get some of my best shots in those first 10-15 minutes.
One thing I believe is absolutely imperative is leaving the camera settings alone. That is the greatest advice I could ever give regarding street photography. Well that and being in the moment.
Oh and I love your advice about being respectful. I’ve even gotten people’s email addresses and sent them copies of good shots.
As for your challenges, they all sound fun. Gestures, reflections, movement, and double exposures are probably the most interesting, IMO.
She's in front of a closed shop or something like that. Made for a nice background!
I often need to warm-up a bit depending on how self conscious I feel. Not that I just go around taking random shots, but if I'm too hesitant at the beginning, I'll force myself to click some photos that don't have big potential. Of course, even though are approach is similar, you have probably picked up a lot more useful tricks than I. :)
I love your advice about getting people's emails and sending them good photos! I've been thinking of doing the same, and I may have to.
Noted about the challenges. It will be a lot of fun to shoot with a clear task in mind.
Challenges can definitely help you focus. And if you are at all goal oriented or competitive, they are great motivators...even without actual payoffs outside of knowing that you kicked some serious ass.
One more thing I do when shooting street: if I’m in an area with homeless people or street buskers, etc. I will often carry small bills or change. And I frame that as appreciation, not payment. Sometimes a little respect and conscious eye contact is all someone needs. I see my camera as my eye. When I photograph someone, I’m saying, “I see you. You matter. Thank you for being here.”
I find a huge amount of inspiration in this post! You managed to convey the experience of being a photographer very well, and it makes the whole piece very easy to read, while still being informative.
I also wanted to say that this post looks amazing. The way you've spaced everything out and the photos which you chose for the article were all amazing :)
Keep on the great steeming and I look forward to your next post!
I am glad you found it enjoyable. I like to keep it relatively short and easy to digest while getting the main message across.
I still have a lot to learn so this is kind of my discovery process. Thanks for stopping by. :)
My pleasure! Those fuji X100F files look super sharp. I shoot on the Xt-2, but I would love to have the X100F just for street... Its so small, people barely know you are taking photographs!
It's really a wonderful camera - so small and lightweight you can it in your pocket and image quality is very good. I definitely recommend it for street and travel photography.
Aah, thank you for sharing your wonderful skills. I am currently with @varunpinto who is a wonderful photographer himself and I am always in awe how you guys find the perfect moment. Here I am photographing with my silly Samsung S8 camera, but hey, we gotta start somewhere!
Will definitely keep my eye more open to spot some cool things from now on!
I do have a thing for sleeping people though:
I think you have a lot of talent for photography looking at your travel stories. :) That is a great shot!
Great balance between method and creative inspiration. I can't wait to see all the photos from the challenges!
I'm glad you enjoyed it! New weekly challenges coming soon. :)
Well written. Very similar to my approach to street. In fact I just wrote a blog on using auto iso on the street. Will be sharing.
I checked it out and it's nicely written. Like you said, we have a similar approach.
Wonderful photos and tips ... although I'm just an amateur, I enjoyed in your post and also noticed that I made the best photos exactly when I was alone. Other tips I’ll try to take in the future :).
I'm glad it was helpful and that you enjoyed the photos! :)
Pleasure is mine :)
You make skillful photography sound and look so easy. I always wanted to ask you, have you had any negative experience when you take photos of people or do you ask for permission before you take pictures of them? I would assume some wouldn't want to be photographed by a stranger.
Beautiful photos as usual. One day your posts will make a photographer too, I hope.
Thanks! I rarely ask for permission before taking photo of someone, it's more fun this way and photos are more authentic. Like you said, it can be challenging, but I never had anyone complaining about being photographed. It helps when you are friendly and respectful like I mentioned in the first point. :)
This is going to be a very helpful series. I liked what you said about being in the moment and not being distracted by the need to get the perfect shot. Just go with what's happening around you and it will happen.
I have a lot of respect for street photographers. I'm way too shy to do this but I enjoy seeing the photos you make.
The warming up tip was good too. It's true about how stiff I can be when I first start taking some shots. And as I go it gets easier to see things differently because I am more aware of my surroundings.
Good post @alcibiades. And wonderful shots! I love the girl and her dog - they are both enjoying different views together. And what's cute is they both have their heads cocked a bit.
I often think that shy people enjoy this type of photography the most because they are good observers and being among people without necessarily interacting with them feels good.
You should definitely try it, it will push you to get out of your comfort zone. Quite exciting. :)
Glad you liked the photos once again! The girl with her dog - yeah, it was a beautiful scene and how they have their backs against each other. So lovely. There's also a little girl in the woman's lap which you couldn't see from that angle.
Aw....that tells an entirely different story now, doesn't it? The dog is the watcher....while mom and child have a quiet time.
Thanks for the encouragement. Maybe I'll give it a go in another city....my village isn't busy enough and people don't like cameras here. I used to take photos of our grandkids at the park and I'd get looks and had to explain.
Maybe I'll even get in a photo of my converse shoes :)
Yup, the dog is making sure they are safely enjoying their day in the park. :) It's nice how a photo can tell much more different stories depending on the perspective and exact moment it was taken.
Being in a big city definitely helps if you are taking photographs - everyone's minding their own business and don't pay much attention to stranger with a camera.
Would love to see those converse shoes. :)
One day you'll see them, one day. Hint...they are pale washed out green....so think spring/summer. I have to scuff them up a bit too bc they are so white and new looking.
Thanks again for the street photo tips.
Really great advice. I've always wanted to jump into street photography and with your guidance I feel confident!
I'm glad it was helpful! With your skills I'm sure you'll do good.
Odlican clanak, sjane fotografije :) Pozdrav!
Hvala, drago mi je da ti se svidjaju :)
Would love to intern with you, you're too good
Me too!!!
I'll let you both know if I open a workshop any time soon. :D
Thank-you @alcibiades for sharing some of the key instructions in keeping the photograph engaging and interesting indeed they are helpful for a amateur photographer,your some if the key suggestion can enhance the photographic skills of anyone out there.
Also want to share your photographs looks effortlessly amazing thank-you again for sharing the tips.
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Hello @alcibiades. This is so sweet. Honestly, i would love to be a professional photographer. It makes you have this good feelings about life because you are actually keeping memory of it. Nice post, especially the quality pictures. The are super awesome. I wish you all the best. Cheers!!
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so nice looking.
Nice photo. I like the dog and the girl. Thank you for sharing
best tips