The idea of walking around in public places with your camera pointed towards strangers can feel incredibly intimidating, but there are a few ways to ease into the process that might make it easier.
First, though, a little information on what street photography is all about!
The heart of street photography centers around capturing a candid moment or a random incident within a public space. There are varying interpretations, from having no interaction between the photographer and subject, to the street portrait photographer who will stop a stranger and place them in a setting that is aesthetically pleasing.
I tend to believe that a street photograph should evoke the feelings of candor and surprise — rather than the actual logistics of it — within a public setting. Although a street photographer tends to capture images in a documentary nature, there is no need to adhere to the strict rules of photojournalism — a little leeway and artistic license can be given. They are looking both into the present moment as well as into something larger that speaks about humanity, even if this message is very subtle.
All of this talk about randomness, candor and strangers in public places can be enough to want to run in the opposite direction. Here are a few tips to make the process a little less nerve-wracking.
1. Have your settings ready before you start shooting.
Use a smaller aperture so that everything in the frame is in focus — f/8 or above. Many times I’m not looking through the viewfinder, or there isn’t time to stop and make sure everything looks perfectly sharp. This will also mean that you’ll need to have a higher ISO to compensate for the smaller aperture.
2. Be sneaky if you need to!
If making your presence known to strangers seems daunting, shoot from the hip (this is when having a high f-stop comes in handy). Pretend to look at your LCD screen or use the Live View mode to take photos.
If you still want to look through your viewfinder, pretend to be focusing your camera on something near the subject. Often people will assume your lens isn’t as wide as it actually is and won’t consider that you can fit them in the frame. Using your phone to take photos is another great way to be unobtrusive.
Eventually, it’s important to have your presence known by strangers if you continue to shoot street photography. It’s okay to be sneaky, but just make sure you aren’t only doing so solely out of fear.
3. Street photography doesn’t always have to in a big city.
If the idea of a city filled with people overwhelms you, or if you live hundreds of miles away from one, don’t let it stop you from trying street photography. Your everyday surroundings make for equally compelling images.
Again, a good street photograph isn’t so much about where you are, it’s about what you want to say about humanity and how it makes people feel. Remember, no one has better insight on your everyday surroundings as you do! Use that to your advantage.
4. Bring street photography with you, wherever you go about your day.
There are no rights or wrongs about where it can take place (just make sure you follow local laws). Bring your camera along for your commute, for errands like the grocery store or at the mall, or when you’re attending events. Local carnivals and town parades are perfect for people watching.
Go downtown with some friends for extra support, or bring your camera along for a walk around the neighborhood. I typically find the times I don’t bring my camera with me are the times that I miss the best moments! Your everyday world is full of surprise and you never know what might happen — keep your eyes and your mind open.
5. You don’t always need to include people in your images.
A photo of objects, buildings or places can be equally impactful. A good street photograph tells us something about humanity. It can speak volumes about a person without ever needing a physical human presence.
Bonus: Know the local laws regarding photography in public spaces, and be aware of your rights as a photographer!
