Today’s question on Twitter was:”Street Photographers, what tips do you have for a beginner starting out in this area of photography? What are your do’s & don’ts?”
The following replies were received from both professional & amateur street photographers:
“my tip would be dont acknowledge the person you are shooting. You need them to be unaware you are there…” – @StudioSixty8
“ALWAYS carry business cards in case someone asks “what are you doing?!” Also, never shoot anyone directly without permission.” – @daysixphoto
“ALWAYS respect who you shoot with the homeless. Always ask first and also hand them a few bucks. Plus take time to talk with them.” – @jeffgishphoto
“Hold your camera to your waist level! It’s the best to start with street!” …
“Don’t use a telephoto lens!” …
“If your pictures aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough. – Robert Capa”…
“If you can smell the street by looking at the photo, it’s a street photograph.” – @AndreasKakaris
“I would say: if you have balls, it’s time to use them.” , “i would say too : good shoes are more important than a good camera.” – @fconstant_
“don’t stop to think about the shot too much. If you see it, snap it.” – @JimHedley
“my best tip for #streetphotography is to “get involved”. Be aware of your surroundings and don’t be scared to shoot” –@LukesThinking
“@fconstant_ take the street pace, breath, and merge the human flow.” – @FabriceDrevon
“Street photography? Be open, be sensitive, be caring of what and whom you see…” – @bartimaeus42
“to be patient and discreet. To visit busy places where its harder for people to notice you.” –@alfani81
“respect people and private property, if somebody doesn’t want you shooting there, move on, there’s lots of other streets.” –@FabulousTahoe
“…on the practical side, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD ditch the factory strap and get a short one, in black or that blends with your coat.” –@lipstadt
“Wide lenses (~21mm in 35mm equiv FOV) + get in close, shoot from waist/shoulder” –@reubenacciano
COMMENT
What are your do’s and dont’s? Add your comment below with your tips for beginner street photographers.
Most of this leads to street sweeping – relying on DOF and wide angles to grab “something.” Its been done to death and develops few skills. Sweep the street and you get trash.
Don’t know the length of a concrete square in your town? Distance from subway support beam to support beam? Can’t focus and frame an 85/1.4 from the hip? Not a photographer. Don’t let street be an aesthetic or technique – it’s just a place to work.
I don’t really agree with the advice to ask for permission as asking for permission defeats the purpose of street. There is a difference between street portraits and street photography. Street photography is raw, personal, secretive and in the moment. Once you ask there is no more “moment” to be in.
This is gonna sound really harsh but… modern street photography is mostly voyeurs pretending to be photographers. Talking about “the decisive moment” and Bresson without being able to see an armature if it hit them in the face. Tips for being a street photographer? Here’s one: shoot pictures till your hands bleed and look at art until you’re blurry-eyed.
For beginners, shoot 50mm on a full frame/film or 35mm on a crop frame. It’s the closest to your eye’s perspective and allows you to frame easily from the hip based simply on how you see the scene from where you are.
Make the mundane become interesting, engaging and surreal.
make it as simple as possible. take just one lens, decide what you are looking for every time you are on the road, get as close as you can and work quickly.
don’t ask for permission, most of people says then no…hit and run!