Street Photography Advice?

an urban area, i would mind what you keep out in front of you so your not mugged by anyone. typically the real street photo nuts like a simply prime lens. some get into people's faces, but i think that's rude. some use zooms. one guy that used to be here, use to hide behind things or pretend he's asking about the weather, while snapping things blindly. shoot in color, change it later.

it really depends on the types of images you want. some go for really blurry. others wait for the right time. others look for shadow play or use art on walls. some just click non stop and hope to get something (the winogrand method).

---Mike Savad
MikeSavad.com

Thanks Mr. Savad! I don't think I'll be getting into anyone's faces this time around.

I like street photography, I'm hoping to give it a shot, I live in a rather small town so it's not gonna be easy, maybe I'll hit the flea market on Saturday and see what happens.

Skip photographing helpless homeless people. Passe.
....

Set your camera to manual and pre focus so you don't have to bring your camera to your eye.

Select a background and then wait for a subject to complete the scene.

Edward, I didn't know street photography was just about photographing the helpless and homeless.

I used a twin lens reflex camera pre focused 6' to infinity. Let it hang from your neck. Just glanced down to check cropping. Most people don't recognize it as a camera. Doesn't make any noise.
In general people don't like big cameras and lenses pointed at them.
In Mexico I used a polarizing filter at night with my camera on tripod and then did a several second exposure. People didn't even realize I was taking photos.
Also try setting up with a timer.
Good luck

John Harmon
JohnHarmonArt.com

Hi Wesley, sounds like a fun shoot coming up!

There are a lot of nuances to street photography that could fill pages of threads. However i think some of the more helpful ones to remember include:

1) Use a prime lens - using a lens with a fixed focal length forces you to get out of spectator mode and get amongst the action. It forces you to move to compose and frame your shots rather than stand on the other side of the street with a massive zoom. Street photogrpahy is basically gonzo photography where you are almost part of the story being told in an indirect way, as you are within the same environment and experiencing what your subjects experience. Best prime lenses are usually 35mm or 50mm.

2) Preset and shoot fast - with street photography you typically don't have the luxury to set up somewhere and try different exposure settings etc. You will need to preset all camera settings in anticipation of the scene you are shooting, usually including focal point. Then you will need to shoot fast. Whilst being spotted with a camera is usually unavoidable, minimising your impact on the scene helps keep the candid feeling in the shot, somminimise the time it takes to bring the camera to your eye, shoot and move on.

3)Tell a story - when people view street photography they want a sneak peak into peoples lives, drama or scene. Its a very voyeuristic pursuit. To aid this you should be trying to capture the elements of the story. Don't just shoot anything, pick your shots to capture that story or message.

4) Be content with imperfection - the rapid, moving and candid nature of street photography typically means that the shot won't be technically perfect/flawless. But thats the beauty of street photography, learn to brace imperfection and use its elements to contribute to the shot.

5) Stay mobile and icognito - ditch any cumbersome gear. No tripods, no camera bag, no bulky gear weighing and slowing you down. You need to keep lightweight to maximize mobility, not to mention to reduce exhaustion from all the moving you will be doing. In addition, dont wear bright clothes and make sure your camera rig is somewhat subtle. Try to blend in, candid is the key word.

5) Don't be shy but be polite - don't be afraid to put yourself out there. Expect confrontation, you wont always get it, but some people will take objection to being photographed. But most won't say anything, just give you an odd look. So don't be afraid to capture the story. On explanation, if necessary, most people become happy with and curious about what your doing. A great tactic i use, especially for when you get odd or menacing looks is to show them the shot. This usually disarms them and they become interested in what your doing.

6) Know your rights - it is important to know the basic rights and responsibilties you have whilst operating in public spaces. This includes applicable laws relating to photographing people and buildings. It is not always legal to photograph people in public places, depending on the country or city you are in. And be careful photographing near or directly shooting government buildings, I've had many run ins with uniformed and undercover lawmen for this reason.

7) Have fun - no explanation needed except remember to enjoy the experience, it can be a really exhilarating expwrience and a great push out of most peoples comfort zones.

Good luck!

To start off on a gentle gradient, find an interesting intersection or street or square and sit on a bench or patio or something and shoot anything intriguing that comes along. I prefer zooms for flexibility.

I will be doing this! I have a point and shoot canon with a 1365 mm built in lens, this should be perfect for this type of photography, I have enjoyed people watching for as long as I can remember, I don't live in Miami any more but anywhere people congregate she be good enough.

For street photography, I like a prime lens of 50 or 100mm. When candid photos are my goal, I like semi-candid:
I try to shoot a set of photos. The first may be candid, but often the subsequent photos are reaction photos.
It may help to make eye contact before you take the first shot.
A smile and a nod afterward "pays off" and acknowledges the transactional exchange, perhaps keeping people friendly, and perhaps encouraging conversation and/or more photos.

Street photography is so much fun! I have tons of it but dont post it because it has a very limited appeal. Use a fixed lens, wander around and shoot shoot shoot! If after a day of shooting you end up with a couple of keepers, you've had a good day.

PS: i think that Justin stated it perfectly!

Wesley, the street photography can be done by very different way. It can be obesrvation, it can be hunting, it can be lucky moment to be in the right place in the right time.
It can be sophisticated and philosophic.
I would suggest you to learn in internet which its your derection most and try it. Streer photography is one of the favorite styles. And Im using my own favorite lens for that 70-200 f2.8
I can just walk along the street and photograph even the people who is coming me towards. When you are with such lens small amount of people realize you pphotograph them. Also zoom allows to get the picture from the distance and its also an advantage. One of my most favorite street photographer who turned it to the art has a gallery here, you can learn from him.
He is using fast camera D3 and 50mm lens and photographing from shoulder morstly - his strategy being invisible...

Here is my gallery of street and urban photography: http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/jenny-rainbow.html?tab=artworkgalleries&artworkgalleryid=329316

Here is the master which I meanitioned above, Michel Verhoef: http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/michel-verhoef.html

Also possible to do travel street photography - so you see there are many interesting points in this style pf photography. Some people makes snap shots and call it street photography. Personally for me its art, so Im often make the hard postprocessing....

Here is mine:


Here is Michel Verhoef:


GOOD LUCK AND ENJOY!
Jenny Rainbow Fine Art Photography

Here's my main advice --

1.) Take pictures.
2.) Have fun.

Don't worry about which lens to take or us. This will make sense when you get there. Don't worry about the definition of street photography. Just shoot pictures. Find what is comfortable for you. Maybe that's looking more like a tourist than anything. Maybe that's by pre-focusing and shooting from the hip, so to speak. Maybe it's bringing the camera up to your eye every single time. Just do what feels natural.

Street photography is so much fun! I have tons of it but don't post it because it has a very limited appeal. Use a fixed lens, wander around and shoot shoot shoot! If after a day of shooting you end up with a couple of keepers, you've had a good day. -Gary Fossaceca

What do you mean but don't post it? Of course I'm gonna post it! Lol Limited appeal is ok too, maybe let's just call it a niche market. Can it hurt to post it? Now my curiosity kicked in so a did a few searches here is one that I thought was worth reading, and it will make you want to post your street photography. Sorry Gary, I always react like this when someone says don't this or don't do that, I must be a contrarian at heart. Lol

http://www.yanidel.net/selling-street-photographs-part-i/

Mario - "homeless" its not although some seem to think it is.

here's a good tip just a short video

Bishop,

LMAO

Dave

That was funny David Bishop.

Edward, I have been around many homeless people and have engaged them in many conversation , I have to tell you some of them are and some were amazing people before what ever misfortune struck them,I make it a point not to be judgmental when it comes to someone who appear to be down and out.I have met homeless that were once airline pilots, business people, nurses, all types. I would not be opposed to photographing a homeless person if the image tells a story or if the person was asked, if I was close to them. I plan on doing my shooting of street photography with a long zoom lens and if I find a person interesting even if it was a homeless person I would certainly consider taking the shot,always respectful and never in an exploitive manner .

It's sad that so many are blind to the homeless. I think the street photographer's dedication to illustrating reality, including what we may not wish to see can serve as an important social commentary. I hope photographing truth, whatever that truth may be, is never passe.

find a fine street!?

the sad fact is many of us are just a paycheck away from being homeless I tell people only half kidding when they ask why I haven't retired yet my retirement plan is to retire two weeks after I die

We are only one event from being homeless. Its not always about money sometimes its mental or physical incapacitation.
One of the things I do is hire the poorest person or single owner business to do a job.
@David I've retired twice but never quit working.

JohnharmonArt.com

I'm not sure whether this person was homeless or not, but he didn't have too many possessions.



On the technical side, this shot was taken with a 50mm lens at 1/40s from a car, through the front windshield.

Thank you all for your answers, I'm definitely going to consider all of them. Unfortunately, college has rid me of the money to buy any new lens', so I will be with the bare minimum (I'm still looking forward to it).

Also, thanks for giving me the advice of not bringing a backpack! For some reason, I would've ended up bringing it. I can see the sense in not bringing one now.

Mr. Woodhouse, thanks for your in-depth answer; really appreciate it!

No worries Wesley, all the best with it. Don't forget to show us some results.

Have fun!

Thanks!

Cartier-Bresson. Check out some images from the master of the "critical moment."

Eric Kim's website is also a potentially useful resource for street photographers: http://erickimphotography.com/blog/start-here/

- Richard Reeve
ReevePhotos.com