Getting Started with Street Photography: 7 Tips

Photography Tips  •  Street Photography

Unlike other photography genres like portrait, fashion, wedding, or product, street photography requires you to be present out in the field and wait for the moment. Think of it like shooting wildlife or sports. You never know what’s going to happen. And you can’t spare a second to get distracted. Street photography requires you to be always on the lookout for the right moment, and simultaneously be creative. This “pressure” is one of the core reasons why many beginners find street photography quite intimidating. Photography Evan Ranft talks about 7 street photography tips to help you get started, and shares some creative ideas too:

In his discussion, Ranft talks about some simple and important preparation techniques, shooting methods, and gear to ease into the convoluted world of street photography.

As a part of your preparation, scout some interesting locations. Where does the action happen? Where is the light interesting during the morning, the evening, the day, and the night? Find interesting light and shadow patterns. Being in an interesting location instantly boosts your confidence and helps you take some great street photos.

When it comes to gear, 35mm is what pure street photographers love and preach. But, when starting out, it can really be intimidating to stand next to someone’s face and take their photo. So, it’s okay if you want to try out some zooms. This will help you get into the zone. Also, when out shooting, don’t hope to get away with changing lenses. Multiple lenses act as distractions. So, walk around with one lens only.

Keeping things simple is key when taking photos. Look for moments, and try to mix it with basic photography techniques. Keep an eye out for leading lines, patterns, symmetry and framing. And don’t worry about what depth of field to use in every photo. If you’re not comfortable, stick to f/8 and pay more attention to the composition. The rest will follow.

Most importantly, it’s necessary that you give yourself time to get yourself going. Do not rush. Allow yourself at least an hour to warm-up. Once you get to know the location you’re shooting in, your creativity will start kicking in and you’ll find it easier to take photos. Have some patience.