Street Photographer Shares 5 Tips from His Career

Photography Tips  •  Street Photography

After spending over five years diving into the world of photography, Roman Fox shares a collection of five high-level, holistic tips in his recent video. These are not your typical technical advice, like the use of the rule of thirds or understanding exposure triangle. Instead, these are tips that touch upon the ethos of being a photographer, the mindset, and the approach one needs to adopt to grow and evolve in the craft of photography. Here are the key takeaways:

In the beginning, Roman dreamed of shooting in exotic locations, just like many other budding photographers. However, he soon realized that he was wasting his time dreaming and not actually doing any photography. The solution was simple: He picked up his camera and started taking photos in and around London, where he lived.

1. Shoot Around You

The message here is to use what you have and shoot in your environment. If you are in the countryside, capture the countryside life. If you are in a city, document the urban landscape. The point is to start shooting and practicing your craft.

2. Remember Your Why

Roman highlights the importance of remembering why you started photography. His personal reason was simply to enjoy the craft and escape his day-to-day life. But as photographers progress and gain popularity, it is easy to lose sight of the initial motivation behind picking up a camera. Whether it is collaborations, commercial projects, or building an online audience, ensure that these opportunities do not overshadow your love for photography. It’s crucial to always reassess your path and protect your “why.”

3. Photography Fitness

An interesting metaphor Roman uses is comparing photography to physical fitness. Just as consistency is key in maintaining good physical shape, so is it in developing your photography skills. He recommends taking your camera everywhere with you and shooting one or two photos a day to make slow but steady progress. This habit helps you improve your skills gradually rather than rushing to take tons of photos in one go and then neglecting photography for weeks.

4. Understand Your Creative Cycle

Roman shares that he noticed a repeating pattern in his creative journey: a cycle of experimenting, working, and resting. At times, he would experiment with new techniques, subjects, or styles. Other times, he would work on improving these new discoveries, and then there would be periods of rest when he took a break from shooting. Recognizing these cycles can help you make the most of each phase and manage creative burnout.

5. Keep It Simple

The last tip Roman shares is the importance of simplicity. This applies to everything from gear to learning and even to the photography approach. Starting with too much equipment or trying to learn everything at once can be overwhelming and often counterproductive. Instead, start with one good camera and one lens. Focus on learning one aspect of photography at a time.