Shooting in the streets entails having careful consideration of the camera and equipment to use, as well as camera settings to look for. But it’s also about knowing how to approach the scene and strangers and overcome any fear or difficulty interacting with different elements of the environment. Here are three tips for beginners.
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| Image source: Petapixel.com |
Take advantage of the accessibility
Think of street photography as the most public, accessible form of the art: you can do it wherever you are, without needing sophisticated camera gear, and without a need for professional studios or attractive models. Put a premium on the content found out there, and frame it uniquely with the right timing.
Shoot at night and from the hip
The general rule is to get the shot with the camera to your eye, and so during those times when it’s impossible to raise the camera to your eye then shoot from the hip to capture a great moment. Uniqueness also emerges during nighttime but be careful as it’s not as easy as shooting during the day. Beware low shutter speeds to avoid blur and use your ISO and aperture to make up for low light.
Practice good etiquette
When asked, be honest that you’re doing street photography, and when the subject expresses discomfort and want the images deleted, do it for them and for your conscience. It’s often best to start somewhere busy, such as the marketplace, where you can be less noticed, and you can be more at ease in shooting.
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| Image source: Digital-Photography-School.com |
Daniel D. Purjes is a nature and urban photographer who grew up in New York City and moved to Vermont soon after graduating from college to pursue photography. More on Daniel here.
