- 1. Wide angle lens gives a wide choice of emotions
- 2. Mirrorless camera can give an awesome reflection
- 3. Engage every street scene, to become a protagonist
- 4. Why black and white street photography is a new old fashion trend
- 5. Get energetic and increase your muscle force
- 6. Get acquainted with new places and street images
- 7. Eye-contact and natural double-framing is at your disposal
- 8. Strangers can become your best friends, if you wish
- 9. Stay focused making street photos
- 10. Get street style photography tips and personalize the street
- 11. Photograph people on the street, in the bus or market
- 12. Get more pictures of the same scene
Once you take a camera in your hand, you may surprisingly discover a strong will to make more pictures than it was expected.
Going out sometimes we do not notice the street life and character of every corner and public place. If you are the one who notices all the people’s gestures and scenes, then you are definitely one of the future street photo professionals.
This hobby can be funny, scary and exciting, but it is never boring. Some experts compare it to fishing, because there are days when you can get a lot of great photographs, but other days can be absolutely empty.
Looking through various sites and manuals we have gathered the most significant street photography tips for beginners to remember, hunting for new experience and emotions.
You can catch more with a wider lens
1. Wide angle lens gives a wide choice of emotions
Beginning with a camera, you might think that only professional items can give you a satisfying result. But you are wrong, because it does not matter if it is a well-known brand or your personal choice, the only tip to memorize is the lens.
It is of course a matter of confidence and tastes, but the wider the lens you are using, the more involved will be the scene with a variety of eye-catching details.
There are some other camera tips, which could be useful for every expert or new photographer. The shutter speed can play an important role in a final result. It is interesting that speed can be both useful whether it is low or fast. Depending on the image you have chosen, you should regulate the speed of the shutter. Motion is used to be caught with high speed, but if you need a blur effect then the lower mode can be chosen.
Choose the winning option for your successful start
2. Mirrorless camera can give an awesome reflection
If you need some reasons why you should refuse from a DSLR, then you should keep these differences in mind. Weight is one of the most important factors for street photography. You can bring your camera everywhere you want, but if you walk more than 5 hours, be sure that every minute your digital friend will be more and more heavy.
Small and compact camera without mirrors can give you a sense of discrete mode of photography, not only reducing the nervousness of people around, but also adding some charm.
The shutter sound is nicer and not that loud and artificial as a DSLR. Possibility to purchase many adapters with different lens types can make your mirrorless camera an invincible companion.
New faces and noses everywhere
3. Engage every street scene, to become a protagonist
Let us talk clear, street photography does not necessarily mean that only humans can be the only essential part of it.
Street is about the life of the city or town. It should be strong, interesting and emotional. Do not become a stalker, just walk around and choose some urban landscapes, which can describe the story you would like to tell. Or invent absolutely new dialogue between a bar table and a pigeon sitting on it, for example.
Use your imagination to create photographs, which can tell a new story every time you look at it. You are just a hunter, and the street will give you a number of options.
No light — no color
4. Why black and white street photography is a new old fashion trend
If you are only starting your street way, then it is better to try black and white scenes. The main problem of color photography is the ideal light. It is impossible to guarantee a good light, so the result will probably disappoint with a washout effect.
It is much easier to focus on emotions and characters, when there is no light problem.
Otherwise, learn the ‘golden hours’ in morning and evening and always use the flash, to avoid color lack. Using a flash is easy, in an automatic ‘P’ mode.
Just try not to scare people doing it at night. Use the flash in touristic places, even when you need to make a color street photography of tourists, not the sight.
Fitness is important more than ever
5. Get energetic and increase your muscle force
Get fit, because sometimes you might be walking for more than 8 hours to find the scene you really need. It is impossible to predict how much time street photographers must spend, when he is working.
So just try to do some exercises and use your car less to get used for long walks. Only the strength of your legs can guarantee the best result at the end of the day.
Make friends and learn habits
6. Get acquainted with new places and street images
Though you never know, when the right scene will appear, it is better to check the new area of work several times before starting the photoset. This way you can make friends with local dwellers and get an idea about their life. After such a small talk and positive comments, the moment you come back with a camera in your hand, none will be afraid or surprised.
Creating a friendly atmosphere you can get not only plenty of splendid photographs, but also a chance to be a part of it.
It is naturally scary making pictures without permission, but when you are among friends, your working time will be spent with pleasure and fruitful results.
Natural detail enrich the picture
7. Eye-contact and natural double-framing is at your disposal
When it comes to new and creative ideas, there are always some street photography tips you can use. Of course, it was already used by others, but you will be definitely new with your street and your emotions.
Nice and lovely places, malls, markets and shops are full of individuals, who can even not suspect their artistic appeal.
Observing people try not to catch only the back of their heads. It might be really scary to keep the eye-contact, but faces are really much more interesting.
Another tip to keep in mind, if you are not ready to make a portrait picture. Look for the natural frame, like a window or wire fence, which can give you and effect of a double frame, adding chic and creativity to your work.
Socialize get is your key rule in the street
8. Strangers can become your best friends, if you wish
It is important to feel yourself as a street photographer. There is no difference if you are good in street portraits or selfies, find your way to socialize with a street life. You might be surprised, but the street requires other skills.
Walking along the square you should not be scared to take a picture of a perfect stranger or traffic jam. Surely the possibility of being yelled at can make even the most experienced artist nervous, but that can not affect your choice, if you plan to succeed.
Try to communicate with every person, who is going to be the part of your photoshoot, talking to people will give more than just a photo.
Catch the emotion you see and feel and the result will impress you even more than you expect.
Do not distract, catch the right moment
9. Stay focused making street photos
It is impossible to say how many photographs you need to make, before you get the one that makes you feel great about the job you have done.
One of the most terrible mistakes one can make is checking your camera album, looking for the diamond.
Working with the street you need to be a part of it, not to miss the right moment, which can make your day, and even become a new masterpiece.
So just join the flow and continue your camera snapping until you finish the working day. Try not to distract and enjoy the process.
You better find yourself and your mode
10. Get street style photography tips and personalize the street
There is no Bible for such an activity as street photography. It means that none can tell you the only right way to do this job. The process depends on personality, not on the persons, who pretend to be the only guru. You are the only one who knows the best advantages of your character.
If you like to be silent and invisible, try this mode of work. But do not stop yourself from talking to people and expressing your emotions, if you really need it. The only secret is to find the way which suits you best of all.
Just stop searching the manual online, go out and launch the new work trend.
Public places are full of interesting subject
11. Photograph people on the street, in the bus or market
Talking about an interesting street subject to find, it is necessary to mention that most of our emotions are expressed by gestures. Surely busy people walking around can make every picture really boring. So the best way to hunt your individual is to check crowded places, especially bus stops.
It's the bus stop, which can gather people of every age and nationality. There it is easy to find various gestures like: reading, smoking, singing and sleeping as well. Photo does not talk, so let the gesture talk!
Milk the moment and get the maximum
12. Get more pictures of the same scene
We are living in a comfortable era of digital cameras, which allows making more than just 1 photo. That means that seeing the moment you would like to capture just stay there doing several shots and try to be patient. You never know if the scene is going to change from one moment to another. Get the maximum from the opportunity you have got.
Doing as many pictures as possible can permit not only to catch the right moment, but also to choose the best one afterward. It often happens that some small defects and details can ruin everything. It is normal, because the street does not offer a perfect light and gesture.
When you make multiple photographs, you get a guarantee of a big choice to choose from. Do not worry about what people think about you. Communicate and exchange emotions with individuals, which participate in your photoset.
Let's conclude
Surely, there are many other secrets and tips for street photography, which you can discover by starting walking with your small favorite street photography camera. Do not be shy and start your own trend involving various participants and places.
Walk as much as possible, use your car and your charm to compliment your models and never forget to say ‘Thank you’ every time you catch a new face expression.
Try yourself as an artist and the street will surprise you with its secrets and individuals. Enjoy the process and do not stop exploring new faces and emotions.