Mastering Candid Moments: Top 10 Street Photography Tips
Embracing the joy and challenges of Street Photography
The joy of that perfect alignment, the dash of light falling through the roof, kids playing outside, finding beauty in those little moments : that’s what makes street photography so rewarding. The challenge, the disappointment, the failures, the triumphs are a street photographers constant companion.
Street photography is not a guaranteed path to glory. You will face failures, and your work will be met with rejection. Not every shot will be a masterpiece, and not every moment will turn out as you envisioned. I have been shooting street for over 27 years now and take it from me in writing, you will have more failures than successes. That’s just how it is and that’s why it becomes critical to use failure as an opportunity to learn and grow. Keep shooting, keep experimenting, and remember: even the best photographers have had their fair share of flops. It’s persistence and passion that lead to those extraordinary moments.
With that in mind, I want to share some tips that have helped me navigate this beautiful journey of making candid photographs that truly make me happy. Hopefully these will help improve your keeper rate.
My top 10 practical tips for Street Photography and mastering candid moments
1. Blend In Like a Ninja (Well, Almost)
In street photography, blending in is crucial. Ideally, you want to be as invisible as possible—like a ninja in the streets. While I’m not actually selling invisibility jackets (wish they existed), wearing subdued, dark clothing can help you blend into the background. The key is to avoid disturbing the natural flow of the scene. If you are less noticeable, you’re more likely to capture those genuine moments. If your presence is spotted, don’t worry. Give it a bit of time; let the scene settle back into its natural rhythm. That’s when you’ll find your perfect shot.
2. Know your camera well
Your camera should be an extension of your eye. Understand your camera well. On the streets there are no retakes, so the faster you are, the better. Understand how to operate it instinctively, so you don’t miss those fleeting moments.
3. Embrace the light
For street photographers the main challenge other than finding interesting scenes is working with the available light. While you can’t control the lighting conditions, you can embrace the light you have and make the most of it. Try to experiment with different angles and perspectives to see how the light interacts with the scene. It’s helpful to walk the streets in the mornings or evenings when the light is softer, rather than struggling with the harsh afternoon sun.
4. Patience is Key
Your longevity as a street photographer will depend largely on your patience. It’s the key ingredient in making extra ordinary photographs. On the street, resist the urge. Don’t be in a hurry to make a shot or leave the scene. Once you have things happening in front of you, stay put. Sometimes you have to hang around and wait for the magic to happen. Remember, some days will be slower than the others. Be Patient!
5. Learn composition, break the rules
I often hear students say, “I don’t follow any rules.” My response? “Do you even know the rules?” In photography, there aren’t really rules….only guidelines. But to break them effectively, you need to understand them first. Study composition, geometry, and form. It’s no coincidence that many of history’s most renowned photographers had a background in art and geometry. These lessons in composition will teach you how the eye moves in a frame. Once you’ve mastered composition, feel free to break all the rules you want.
6. Get close and personal
On the streets, the point of view that you choose is really important, it’s how the viewer will enter the frame. To truly draw the viewer into the scene, take those extra two steps closer to your subject. The more intimately you can capture the essence of the moment, the more powerful your photograph will be.
7. Show what you felt.
Street photography is not about what you saw, it’s about how you felt. It’s about conveying an idea, an emotion, a juxtaposition or even irony. Make sure your photograph communicates that feeling clearly to the viewer. Your goal is to transport the viewer to that moment, that feeling.
8. Invest in good shoes
Street photography will keep up on your feet. You will end up walking a lot. If you want to continue shooting for years, invest in comfortable pair of shoes. Trust me, your feet will thank me later. (My new favourites are New Balance 2002r, I wouldn’t mind if they paid me for a shoutout 😉)
9. Don’t give up
There will be tough times, have faith in yourself and your craft. Keep going and embrace all the feedback. Keep learning and moving forward. Remember, you are doing street photography for yourself, so don’t give up because of others. Success comes to those who don’t give up.
10. Don’t forget to have fun
Street photography is a personal pursuit to finding moments that we love, the moments that we would like to share, moments that touch us. Don’t let it become a chore, take a break when you need to. Try everything to keep your photographs fresh. If you are having fun, it will show in your photographs. Remember street photography is about intellectual joy.
As you embark on your street photography journey, remember this: every great photograph starts with a single step. Keep shooting, keep exploring, and keep learning!
Do share if you liked this. Also I would recommend reading the post below.
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