Street Photography for Beginners
Published: 05.11.2019
Over the past century, the genre of street photography has come to encompass a wide variety of photographic styles. Street photography allows the photographer the freedom to experiment and develop their own unique techniques.
There are no "shoulds" or "shouldn'ts" in terms of principles, methods, or subject matter; the only requirement is for street photography to be an honest reflection of everyday life. This allows the photographer to use different lenses, formats, styles, colors, filters, flashes, lighting, and much more.
Important moments
For a street photographer, the most important skill is the ability to observe. This is closely related to the concept of the "decisive moment" by the famous master Henri Cartier-Bresson.
Among the flow of stunning views, sounds, smells, and sensations, a good street photographer must find and capture the moment.
Street photographer is responsible for capturing moments that deserve attention and need to be documented, which might otherwise be missed and left without a photograph. Thus, street photography is a crucial form of art for preserving human history. The "decisive moment" eases this burden by capturing elements of a good photograph: form, function, energy, and essence all perfectly aligning in that moment, often lasting just a fraction of a second.
To find your own decisive moments, observe people engaged in activities or with each other. Is a couple about to embrace nearby? Is a mother pushing her child on a swing? Is a basketball player about to take a shot? Or is someone jumping over a puddle with an umbrella in hand (as skillfully captured by Cartier-Bresson)? By focusing on these small but significant moments, street photographers narrow their focus and give their images depth.
What camera is needed for street photography?
For street photography, there is no right or wrong camera. Any camera will do, from your smartphone to a disposable or digital one (if you know how to use it). As a street photographer, you are surrounded by moving bodies and constantly changing images of everyday life. You want to be quick and nimble, so a bulky digital SLR camera may not always be the right choice. If you are just starting out, try working with your smartphone or a budget camera. In the beginning, your goal should be to refine your eye and perspective as a street photographer. And the quality of your photos will improve with practice.
Where to take street photography
Street photography is candid shooting of life in public places.
Despite its name, street photography does not have to be done exclusively on the street. Such shots can be taken anywhere. Even living in a small town should not hold you back from starting street photography.
Ten tips for street photography and ideas to get started
At first, it may be a little scary to photograph strangers. We offer you some tips that will help you become a street photography guru.
1. Keep your distance.
Until you feel more comfortable approaching the objects, shoot from a little further away. Shooting from the opposite side of the street will help you feel more comfortable.
Look for scenes with interesting characters and apply a documentary approach.
2. Take photos of street musicians.
Street musicians are used to being photographed. But don't forget that this is how they make a living! So, before you start taking pictures, throw a couple of bills into their hat, making sure they notice. After that, you can take their photos as you please. Take your time, photograph from different angles, and play with the light. If the musicians have a business card, take it and tell them that you will send them some images when you're done.
3. Take photos through glass.
Many beginner photographers are afraid of interacting with their subjects. Try taking a photo of people inside a building from the street. The window between you will provide some protection. Remember, if you get caught, be sure to smile!
4. Take pictures of people's backs
Who said that you need to see the face of your subject?
Shooting from behind is a great way to get photos and remain unnoticed.
Look for characters in interesting clothing and hats.
5. Photograph street animals.
Who doesn't love a good picture of a dog or cat? In addition, photographing animals on the street often leads to conversations with their owners, which is an excellent segue into capturing street portraits.
When photographing animals, don't forget to crouch down low. A close, wide perspective makes the photos much more interesting.
6. Prepare the frame
Use this technique when you find an interesting background and good lighting. Take your time and observe the people coming and going, how the light falls on them, and how they interact with specific elements of the background. Once you start to understand what is happening in the frame, take the shot. Think in advance about where the subject should be in the frame, and then wait for the right person to enter your frame.
The key here is patience. Do not press the shutter release button when someone is passing by. Wait for the "right" person. Maybe they are wearing a magical hat, or their coat is unusually sticking out from behind. Do not give in to the temptation to photograph everything that moves. Wait for the decisive moment.
Create a Light album from cool photos. You don't need to print the photos separately. We will print your photos directly on the pages of the Light album. Upload images to the free Mapi7 editor and create a themed Light album. You can upload photos from your phone.
7. Capture silhouettes
Shooting silhouettes in street photography is a cool way to capture objects anonymously. For the background, find a bright light or window and wait for the object you want to pass in front of it. Use exposure compensation to underexpose the image or spot meter on the light source. Both of these techniques will throw your object into shadow and help you properly expose the background.
Try not to overlap the silhouettes of elements in the frame in order to clearly capture specific objects. And once again, be patient. Wait for interesting characters. Silhouettes can be very fun, so experiment with this technique.
8. Use contrasting light
Most photographers usually don't shoot their gear off the hanger in bright light. However, for street photography, this is a great time to play with light and shadow. Look at the beam of light and observe how it plays on people entering and exiting it. When shooting in these conditions, pay special attention to exposure.
Use exposure compensation to ensure that your subject is properly exposed when it comes into the light.
Every photo is a masterpiece! Don't hide unique shots from viewers in your phones and cameras. A worthy way to showcase your talent and preserve memories is to print photos on canvas.
9. Wait for the decisive moment
To capture the desired shot, you need a bit of luck, excellent timing, and the correct utilization of your camera's capabilities.
Set the aperture priority in the camera, use Auto ISO to ensure that the shutter speed is high enough. This way, if something happens suddenly, the camera will be ready. Capturing a subtle gesture or glance distinguishes a good street photo from a great one.
You have a creative fraction of a second when you are taking a photograph. Your eye must see a composition or an expression that life itself offers you, and you must know intuitively when to click the camera. That is the moment a photographer is creative. The moment! Once you miss it, it is gone forever.
Henri Cartier-Bresson
10. The right approach to unfamiliar people
The key to getting permission to photograph a stranger is flattery. Don't rush up to someone with a camera, waving your hands and shouting, 'Hey, can I take your picture?' No, just approach the person and say that you like their smile or the color of their hair, illuminated by the midday sun. Talk to the person and let them know that you are a street photographer documenting life in your city. Once you establish a rapport, ask them, 'Do you mind if I take your portrait?' In nine out of ten cases, you will get the shot.
Before approaching anyone, prepare your camera settings. You don't want to be fiddling with your camera when people have already agreed to be photographed. Also, take your time. Getting permission to take photos means that the person is allowing you to take a few shots. Don't hesitate to ask them to move if the lighting is not right. And finally, offer to send them the final shots.
Street photography is an extremely useful and excellent way to meet wonderful people. Give it a try, you won't regret it.
