Tell a story via street photos
We are all drawn to a certain place on a street to capture a particular image. We usually do it without thinking and we are not aware how the moment, its atmosphere and the light play together to create the final image.
In this tutorial we will discuss how you can develop your photography further, how you can develop your street photography skills and how you can improve your street photography skills.
Let’s start with what it means for your photography when you take your camera out in the street. Most of us want to photograph beautiful moments in our life but we also want to capture some everyday experiences and street photography is one way to do this. A picture of a street scene gives us a sense of being there and also tells a story.
The reason why you want to take pictures of street scenes is often because you want to show something of yourself, for example your personality and the way you live. Street photography enables you to share these aspects with your friends and family. But you can also use street photography to show other people something about you. People see things differently and you can show how you see things through your images. For example, you can make a picture showing how your city looks from a pedestrian point of view. Or you can show how the people on the street behave when you walk by. The possibilities are endless.
One of the most important questions you have to answer before you start taking pictures is why you want to take pictures of street scenes. Is it because you want to share your experience with others or because you want to show the world how you see things? If the latter is the case you should consider making more of an effort and using the opportunities that street photography offers to share your unique perspective on life with other people. If you want to share your experience with others, you will have to take pictures that allow other people to see the world through your eyes.
There are two key areas where you need to look when you take pictures of street scenes. The first is the composition. Composition is the arrangement of the elements in a picture. You have to consider the balance of the elements in a picture and decide what you want to highlight. In other words you need to decide what you want to communicate with your picture. You will need to make sure that your composition is balanced and interesting. It’s not a question of “what”, but “how”. How do you arrange the elements in a picture to tell a story.
The second area where you need to look is your lighting. We are going to discuss this in more detail in a later section of the tutorial.
Your approach to street photography is going to depend on how you plan to use your pictures. For example, if you want to use your street photos to share your experience with others then you will have to make sure your pictures are interesting. You will need to be able to tell a story.
So let’s look at the different ways you can shoot a street scene. You are probably familiar with the basic ways of shooting a street scene, namely from above and below, and in the middle. However, you are now going to learn a couple of more interesting ways of taking a picture of a street scene.
Ways to shoot beautiful street photos
The best way to take a street photograph is to walk down the street. If you are a tourist, then look out for the areas where the local people hang out. They may not necessarily be the best places to shoot, but they are great for inspiration.
If you are in a city where there is lots of tourism, then you might find it easier to find interesting images in the places tourists go. For example, if you visit London, you may find that the best streets to shoot are Oxford Street and Regent Street. If you are in a big city like New York, then you may find the best streets are the ones that are popular with tourists, such as Fifth Avenue, Broadway, Times Square, Greenwich Village, and Chelsea.
If you live in a small town, the best place to go might be the street that people use to travel to the nearest big city. For example, if you live in Northumberland, the best place to go is the A1. This road connects Scotland with England and takes traffic away from the main roads in Northumberland. The A1 has little traffic and lots of buildings. You can also use this road to travel to Newcastle and the coast.
To create your own street photography opportunities, think about the places you already pass on your journey to work, school, shops and leisure activities. What do they have in common? If you drive, you probably know the streets near your home that are not busy with traffic. Is there anything special about these streets?
The main thing is having the confidence to walk up to strangers and photograph them.
Street photography is about looking at ordinary people in ordinary surroundings, but it has its own rules. It’s the photographer’s job to make sure he doesn’t intrude or disturb the scene. Instead, he should approach it unobtrusively, taking great pictures, which are sometimes spontaneous. There are many ways to approach a stranger and shoot their portrait. You could go for the traditional formal shot, or simply let the moment take you by surprise.
Start by scouting the place out. If it’s a busy city street, you might find a spot where people congregate. If you are photographing a subject, it could be something as simple as a face or a piece of clothing. Remember, you don’t need to have a good reason to shoot; just be aware of a beautiful picture. You might use a telephoto lens to isolate your subject from the background, or zoom in to capture an interesting detail.
Sometimes the key is to go against the grain. A group of people standing together and posing for the camera is a great opportunity. They are all facing the same way so their poses look natural. If you are on a crowded street, don’t wait for people to walk into shot; just move in quickly and capture the movement of the crowd.
Be careful of your safety.
People will usually be wary of a stranger, especially if you are photographing a large number of them. The safest option is to use a tripod, which will stop the camera from moving. Some photographers wear a dark hat and sunglasses to protect themselves from glare.
Use your imagination.
When you are shooting a group, it’s best to keep the composition simple. If you include too much detail, you risk losing the impact of the image. Take a few moments to study the scene. Are there any unusual features, such as a wall or building? Perhaps there is a car parked in a quiet lane, or a busker playing his guitar. Look for patterns of light and shade. Use the shadows to add interest, and create a dramatic sense of space.
Keep your distance.
When you approach people on the street, your goal is to capture a portrait that is as natural as possible. You should stand quietly and wait for a moment when your subject looks directly into the lens, rather than using a long telephoto lens to isolate him. Your subject will feel more relaxed if you are at arm’s length. If you are shooting a single person, keep your distance and wait for the right moment.
If you want to capture a candid shot, don’t shout ‘smile!’ at the person. If you want to take a formal portrait, it is best to use a slower shutter speed, rather than the faster setting. In this case, your subject may not have time to think and react to the camera.
If you want to take a great street picture, get off your seat and approach your subject. Walk around, taking in the scene from different angles.
Stay calm.
There’s nothing wrong with feeling nervous. But you will find it easier to shoot and take photos if you remain composed. Slow, deep breathing will help you stay calm.
Get closer.
If you are approaching someone you want to photograph, you need to decide whether it is worth risking getting a rude response from the person. Try to get as close to your subject as possible. This will allow you to capture a more intimate and natural portrait.
Think of the light.
Shooting in the late afternoon or early evening is often the best time for street photography. It’s a soft light that creates great moods. Avoid shooting during the midday heat, when people will be sunbathing. Instead, wait until the light starts to fade, when there will be less traffic and more opportunities to create dramatic scenes.
Your subject might not know what they are getting themselves into.
In your excitement to capture a photo, you might forget to ask for permission. In this situation, it’s best to ask politely and smile. The worst that can happen is that they say no. If it’s a busy street, you might get a better reaction from asking for permission when there are fewer people around.
Remember the golden rule.
Don’t get in someone else’s way, or take a photo of something that is clearly personal. The golden rule is to ask first before you take a picture.