5 Tips and Techniques for Street Photography
Whether you’re traveling to a far away land, or just stepping out your doorstep in your home town, these are ideas you can consider to add to your photographic journey.
Honestly, I still get quite nervous. The camera can be very intimidating, and the least someone is expecting while getting on with their day is some nerd pointing a camera at them and then running away clumsily. But it can also very exciting and rewarding. In my opinion, it’s one of the best ways to get to know a city you’ve never been to and a wonderful way to rekindle your love for a place you’ve always known.
Here are some of the things I have learned about shooting on the streets.
Travel light.
In a busy street, at a lively gathering or while relaxing at a café, you can spot many vibrant scenes and intriguing people ready to be photographed. It's tempting to bring all your gear, but my advice is to take only one camera, preferably a smaller one, and stick with it for the day. I also recommend using just one lens; I like wide angles like 28mm, 35mm, or 50mm. For years, I used a Leica M5 with a 50mm lens, which made my outings enjoyable and easy. Plus, the smaller setup helped me stay unnoticed in crowds, making it easier to hop on a bus or find a quiet spot without drawing too much attention.
2. Hide in plain sight.
Personally, I prefer candid shots in which the subjects are not aware of my presence, where people are just being themselves. To hide in plain sight might sometimes mean staying in the location for a while (as much time as you can afford), becoming one with the scenery and then people will start forgetting about you. Only then, is when the camera can come out. This will also give you a chance to study the place and observe.
3. Be patient, observe and anticipate.
It’s rare to come across a perfect moment at the precise instant it happens, as a street photographer, you always have to be on the lookout, anticipating the actions your characters are going to do, you want to look for gestures, body language and actions that say something interesting.
4. Bring your camera everywhere.
Absolutely everywhere. That’s why you need to travel light and be patient. Just don’t get into trouble, some places, like night clubs for instance, are very strict about their no photography policies, do your research.
5. Pause, breathe, and continue.
In the adrenaline of traveling and rushing from point A to B, you can forget about your surroundings, trying to meet some agenda or aim for the perfect schedule.
Extra: Take the opportunity of doing it alone.
Traveling with friends and family can be really wonderful, but as a street photographer, it sometimes requires a level of solitude that can allow your mind to be quiet and mindful of what’s in front of you. Even if you hang out with your photographer friends and you are all silent all the time while taking pictures, I encourage doing this by your own, and practice listening to your own gut and find out what are the things that really call you out there.
