What is street photography?
This genre of photography is used to record everyday life in a public space, with the photographer taking photos of everyday street life – often candid shots taken without the subject’s knowledge. Street photography often gives photographers the chance to capture secrets that most of us miss as we go about our daily routine.
Types of Street photography
There are many genres of street photography. Here are some street photography ideas to capture in your photos if you want to try out this challenging yet very rewarding style of photoshoot.
Fine Art
The goal of this type of street photography is for the viewer to have the same feeling as they would have when seeing a masterful painting. Photographers use light and shadow to tell the story of the streets and capture artful shots to be hung on the wall for viewers to enjoy.
Portrait
For this, a photographer will shoot portraits of people in an uncontrolled environment. This means that the photo cannot be done in a studio; the environment is a background to the portrait or may even be a part of it, with the subject interacting with their surroundings. The photographer can capture these candid or posed photos on the street, a park, a restaurant – anywhere, as long as the environment is uncontrolled.
Raw
This type of street photography is where the truth of public life is shown. Light and geometry are not vital when taking raw photography. Instead, photographers shoot everything that they view. These photos are not shot for the future generation to learn about their past; they are to open the eyes of today’s public, for them to understand the truth of our society – that not all is what it seems.
Geometric
Ever since modern architecture has evolved, this type of street photography has flourished. For this, a photographer focuses on the geometric shapes, lines and shadows that are created by the buildings. Although humans are not the main subject for this type of street photography, it does add another layer to the picture when a person stands in front of a building.
Unobtrusive
These photos are shot without a photographer intruding into the personal space of the subjects. A photographer will capture these photos in a documentary style, showing how life is in these uncontrolled environs. Most times, the photographer isn’t noticed, meaning they often capture candid pictures of society.
Street photography tips
Don’t know where to start with your street photography? Here are a few tips to help.
Buying the right camera
There are many cameras on the shelves ready to be bought, but the question is, which one should you buy? Here are the best cameras for street photography.
Fujifilm X-Pro3
The quality of the images that are taken on this camera is impressive. Photographers will be able to capture the unadulterated street experience. It’s not the least expensive option, but the results pay dividends.
Leica M10
This camera is a piece of amazing engineering, and it is easy for any photographer to learn to handle it and create great results. Great for capturing the effortless street style of city life.
Nikon Z 50
For the price of this camera, it’s shocking how much a photographer will receive from it. Less expensive, and it only has one card slot; nevertheless, it is a great camera for street photography.
Watch first
Some photographers might think that street photography is walking into an uncontrolled environment and shooting the scenery. When the truth is that street photographers should first watch what is happening around them and then capture the perfect moment of what is happening. This can be people, events, traffic, buildings or even a mixture of all of these, interacting.
Shadow and light
Bright light can be used to a photographers advantage when taking street photography. As many photographers know, bright lights cause harsh shadows, and this can be perfect as these shapes can show a creative illusion.
Ask permission
If you want to take a portrait of a person, it’s best to ask for permission. To do this, be respectful and understand that some people will say no, and if they do, don’t push them into being the subject of your street photography.
When to use colours
When people think of street photography, they tend to picture those black and white photos that seem somehow mysterious. However, colour can play a big part, although it can be tricky to get right. The opportunities when colour normally works well are when you capture bright clothing, a colourful street sign, or when the sun is setting and gives out a dewy, warm glow.
Be camera-ready
When walking around the streets of a city or town, a photographer always has to be ready and prepared, as they may come across something spectacular. Being camera ready is crucial for these situations. A great way to be ready is to have your camera in manual mode so you can quickly control the shutter speed and aperture.
Street photography business
Want to know how to make money through street photography? Here are some steps that you can take.
Teach street photography
A great way to earn money and still do your street photography is by teaching it to others who want to learn more about it. Many people love to enter the world of creativity, and if you have the right experience and portfolio to back it up, you could be the bridge to that.
Commercial work
Although it might be nice to work for yourself, it can be challenging. To carry on doing what you love, look into commercial work, such as being a photographer for a fashion magazine (and don’t forget online) – especially now where many love to capture those street styles.
Sell prints
Although it is a lot harder now to sell street photography prints, it’s still something that every street photographer should at least try to do. You have taken time to capture these stunning street photos, and you should sell them if you want to. Create an Etsy account and have a social media account to promote your photography.
This might not bring a lot of money, but having someone buy a piece of your work is a feeling that will never be forgotten.
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