Street Photography - Capturing Candid Moments in the City
Street photography is an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s a great way to explore your creativity and develop an understanding of the world around you. Street photography can provide insight into a wide range of topics, from fashion and culture to religion and politics. It also encourages you to be an active observer and provides an opportunity to explore unfamiliar places in detail. The images you create can be powerful tools for social commentary and can help you reflect on the world around you.
Street photography also allows you to capture moments that may otherwise be forgotten. It can be a fascinating way to document the changes in a city or town over time, or to capture the unique beauty of a place. Additionally, street photography can be a great way to meet new people and learn about different cultures. By engaging with the people you photograph, you can gain a deeper understanding of the world around you.
If you are looking for ways to edit your street photography, read my suggestions for editing gritty street photography in Lightroom now.
What is street photography?
Street photography is a type of documentary photography that focuses on capturing candid moments in public places, such as streets, parks, and sidewalks. It’s often associated with urban life and typically depicts everyday scenarios featuring human activity. Street photographers use a wide range of techniques to create their images, from fast-paced street scenes to slow-paced portraits. They use various focal lengths and perspectives to capture the energy and beauty of everyday life.
This style of photography is a unique form of art that allows photographers to capture the beauty of the everyday. It can be used to document the changing landscape of a city, to capture the emotion of a moment, or to tell a story about a particular place or person. Street photography is a great way to explore the world around you and capture the beauty of the everyday.
Street Photography tips - capturing candid moments
Capturing candid moments requires patience, practice, and a thorough understanding of street photography techniques. Here are some tips to help you get started:
Be observant: Look for interesting moments, patterns, and compositions in your surroundings.
Choose the right gear: Invest in quality equipment that allows you to capture sharp images and operate quickly in changing environments. For instance, a good quality camera with a fast lens is essential for capturing dynamic scenes such as events or street photography.
Be discreet: Respect people's privacy and don't be intrusive when taking photographs.
Be patient: Allow yourself time to observe the scene and wait for something interesting to happen.
Take advantage of natural light: Use the available light to create mood and atmosphere in your photographs.
Experiment with different angles and perspectives: Try shooting from low or high angles, or from behind or in front of your subjects to add visual interest to your photographs.
Use reflections and shadows: Look for reflections and shadows on the streets to add depth and interest to your photographs. For instance, you could use the reflection of a building in a puddle to capture a unique perspective of the cityscape.
Look for interesting textures: Textured walls, pavement, or other surfaces can add visual interest to your photographs.
Capture the decisive moment: Look for the moment that brings your photograph to life, whether it's a gesture or a facial expression.
Use leading lines: Look for lines in the street that can lead the viewer's eye into the photograph. For instance, a winding road can draw the viewer's eye into the background of the photograph, or a pathway can guide the viewer's eye to the subject.
Be aware of your surroundings: Always be aware of what's happening around you so you can take advantage of unexpected moments.
Use a wide-angle lens: A wide-angle lens can help you capture the environment and context of your subjects.
Use a zoom lens: In contrast to the point above, a zoom lens can be useful for capturing candid moments from a distance without drawing attention to yourself.
Take candid shots: Look for candid moments that happen naturally on the streets. They can be more interesting than posed shots. For instance, when photographing street vendors, instead of asking them to pose for the camera, try to capture their daily activities from a distance.
Try black and white: Street photography often looks great in black and white, as it can add a sense of timelessness to your images.
Use the rule of thirds: The rule of thirds is a simple guide for composing your shots and making them more visuallinteresting. ToTo do this, you can divide your image into thirds both horizontally and vertically, and place the subject of your photo along one of the lines or at the intersection of them. Most cameras allow you to add a rule of thirds grid whilst shooting.
Be aware of the background: Look for an uncluttered background that will not distract from your subjects.
Be aware of the time of day: Different times of day can offer different lighting and moods for your photographs
Essential Gear for Street Photographers
Having the right equipment is essential for street photography. Here are some essential items for street photographers:
A camera with manual control over aperture, shutter speed, and ISO settings is essential for street photography. Being small and lightweight is a must as well. Compact cameras like mirrorless or point-and-shoots are ideal for street photography as they’re easy to carry and can be operated quickly. I carry my Sony A7A7IIIn my backpack wherever I go in case I see something worth photographing.
Lens: A wide-angle lens is recommended for street photography, as it allows you to capture the environment and context of your subjects. A zoom lens can also be useful for capturing candid moments from a distance. My go-to lens for street photography is my Sony 70-200 F2.8 GM II. I love the versatility and distance it gives me for candid shots.
Tripod: A tripod can be helpful for shooting in low light conditions or when you want to use a slower shutter speed to capture motion.
Extra Batteries and Memory Cards: Street photography can be demanding on your camera's battery and memory card, so it's essential to have extra ones with you.
Filters: Neutral density filters can be useful for shooting in bright light conditions and polarizing filters can help to reduce glare and improve colour saturation. Not sure which filter to use in each situation? Read my guide to lens filters.
Flash: A flash can be useful for adding fill light in low light conditions, but be aware that using a flash can be disruptive and draw attention to yourself.
Rain cover: A rain cover can be useful for protecting your camera and gear in case of unexpected weather. When I was travelling in Thailand, I bought a cheap plastic raincoat for a few Bhat and tore holes in the right places to cover my camera and lenses.
It's also important to have a comfortable bag to carry your gear. Look for a bag that is lightweight and has enough space to store your camera, lenses, and other accessories. Additionally, make sure the bag has enough padding to protect your gear from bumps and scratches. For my day-to-day backpack, I use a PGYTECH OneGo backpack (the 18L version). When travelling, I often need something a bit larger and use my Gomatic McKinnon Camera Pack (35L). The Gomatic is bigger and heavier but often whilst travelling, I want everything in 1 place. You can find my full gear list here.
Finding inspiration in the city
When out shooting in the city, it’s important to keep your eyes open for interesting people, scenes, and situations. Look for unique perspectives and details when exploring new places. Get comfortable approaching strangers, talk to people, and take time to observe your surroundings. Take notes of interesting people or situations you encounter and use them as inspiration for future shoots.
Don't be afraid to experiment with different angles and perspectives. Try shooting from different heights, distances, and perspectives. Look for interesting light sources and shadows that can add depth and texture to your photos. Take advantage of the hustle and bustle of the city and capture the energy and movement of the people around you.
Looking for interesting places for street photography in London? Read my guide to London’s photography walks.
How to Respectfully Take Photos of Strangers
Shooting photos of strangers can be a sensitive topic. Respect people’s privacy and always ask for permission before photographing someone. Be prepared to explain your reasons for taking the photos and be willing to accept rejection if someone isn’t comfortable being photographed. If you’re shooting photos in a public place like a park or street, it’s wise to keep a distance and use a longer lens. This will avoid intruding on other people’s space.
When taking photos of strangers, it's helpful to be mindful of their body language and facial expressions. If someone looks uncomfortable or is avoiding eye contact, it's polite to respect their wishes and not take their photo. Additionally, it's important to be aware of your own body language and facial expressions. Smiling and making eye contact can help put people at ease and make them more likely to agree to be photographed.
Final thoughts on street photography
Street photography is an incredibly rewarding experience that can provide insight into the world around us. It requires patience, creativity, and practice to capture meaningful images, but the results are worth it! With the right gear, techniques, and attitude, you can become a master of street photography and show off your unique perspective on city life.