Inspiring work from the best street photographers. Street photography – notes on street photography and simple tips Street photography is becoming popular

Street photography is a separate direction in photography, which differs from other genres in that it does not have staged shots and posing models - spontaneity and improvisation rule here. Sometimes such photography is called documentary: with the help of street photography you can capture the moment “here and now”, catch something that will not be there in a second.

Street photography originated at the end of the nineteenth century, when cameras became more mobile and photographers were able to leave monotonous studios and take their equipment to the streets. It was new then to record the world- people wanted to show the metamorphoses of that time in their photographs, so they often took pictures of busy city blocks and streets. The first in this genre were such giants in the field of photography as Henri Cartier-Bresson, Walker Evans, Garry Winogrand and others - it was these people who laid the foundation for street photography and shaped trends in this art.

“I can’t stand organizing events and directing. This is terrible... You can't fake the real thing. I love the truth and only show the truth..."

Henri Cartier-Bresson

Since the advent of the street photography genre, a lot has changed: cameras have become more compact and ideas have become bolder. Now the work of a certain photographer reaches the viewer more easily. But the most important thing is that the idea and mission of such shooting remain unchanged.

Photographic equipment for street photography

In the 21st century digital photography has almost completely replaced analogue - there are only a few adherents of film left who appreciate the special magic and atmosphere of grainy photographs. They didn't just appear compact cameras like DSLRs and soap dishes, and also Cell phones- devices that have recently been on par with their older brothers in image quality. In addition, with the help of a smartphone, it becomes even easier to quietly take a successful shot - you no longer need to rack your brains over how to go unnoticed and not scare off your subject. For street photography, this point is undoubtedly important, because this is the easiest way to achieve the effect of spontaneity.

Before moving on to shooting with a film camera, practice with digital and SLR options, which will have compact dimensions.

SLR Cameras

DSLRs will produce the effect you want best: they have a fast shutter release that won't let you miss the right moment, as well as autofocus that allows you to focus on what you need most. For such cameras, you can choose different lenses: telephotos for long-distance photography or portrait lenses for capturing close-ups of faces. The only thing that can cause inconvenience is its rather large dimensions and weight. Taking a photo unnoticed will be a little more difficult.

Mirrorless cameras

They are good because they have wide shooting capabilities and at the same time are small in size, like soap dishes. You can purchase special “inconspicuous” lenses for them that look like a camera cover. And other optics for such cameras are small in size - just what we need! In particular, old-school lenses from film cameras are suitable for them - they will give an interesting effect and will serve as the beginning of your experiments with street photography.

The only downside is the price of such equipment and optics for it, as well as a weak (compared to SLR equipment) battery. Perhaps people with large hands will find this camera inconvenient - but you can always get used to the size.

Digital cameras

A good option for those new to street photography. Soap dishes are small in size, making it easier to shoot unnoticed, and also at a reasonable price. Among the minuses, we highlight the lack of interchangeable lenses, simplified controls (often without manual focus), slow operation of the shutter button, and leisurely autofocus. In the case of such cameras, try to choose models with good aperture and fast shooting.

Legality of street photography

One of the difficulties in street photography is that not everything can be filmed, especially if it is done covertly. In Russia, there are a number of laws prohibiting the filming of certain buildings and people, covert filming, as well as the publication of such images without appropriate permission. In the best case, you will simply be asked to delete the photographs, and in the worst case, they will apply physical force to you or your equipment, impose a fine, or even give you a real sentence. Exceptions include photographs taken at public events when a person was accidentally included in the frame, as well as photographs taken for government and political purposes.

It is worth noting that you have the right to delete a photo only by a court decision, and not at someone’s request. After all, every photo of yours is intellectual property.

In street photography there are practically no clear and strict rules: spontaneity reigns here, there is no special photographic equipment, professional lighting, there is no place for staged shots and people prepared for the photo. First of all, try to get real, sincere emotions from strangers from your shots. The tips below will help you make your street photography livelier, more original, and more interesting in the early stages.

Shoot as much as possible

Constant practice will allow you to quickly learn how to catch good moments and angles, and adjust your gaze to the right wave. If you obviously don’t get the first photos, this doesn’t mean you should give up - good shots always come at the very end of the work, so you need to make the most of your efforts. This rule is best suited to a quote from street photography giant Henri Cartier-Bresson, which states that “your first ten thousand shots will be your worst.”

Change locations

Even if you deliberately look for successful shots in only one place, do not forget to sometimes switch to something completely different - otherwise your eyes will become blurry and stop seeing good moments for shooting. Learn to see interesting things in a variety of places.

Do not hurry

Fast movement and street photography are almost incompatible. Sometimes you just need to stop and wait for the right shot. choose a place with a large flow of people, take a comfortable position and start the “hunt” - good shot won't keep you waiting long.

Raise your sensitivity

When working with digital camera don't limit yourself low values ISO. This will help you take photos with fast shutter speeds when you definitely won't get a second chance to capture a moving subject.

Movement in the frame

The opposite of the above. Lower the sensitivity so that moving objects appear blurred - a long shutter speed like 1/30 sec will help with this. This technique is possible even during daylight hours - just remember to close the aperture and lower the ISO.

Shooting with wiring

It is carried out using the same long shutter speed, to which is added the movement of the camera at the same speed and in the same direction as the subject. The surrounding background around the object is blurred, creating the effect of movement.

The person in the frame is not a panacea

Street photography is not only about people, but about life and its rhythm in general. Find emotions and interesting details where no one expects to see them - after all, the dynamic urban environment itself brings no less inspiration than the person in it.

Use reflection

A very strong and expressive technique that helps to show and use even more details and space in the frame. With the help of reflections, you can focus attention on a certain detail, achieve contrast, and complement the main picture. It is not difficult to come across surfaces and objects that will help you take such shots: these can be shop windows, cars, house windows and much more.

Look up

We are all accustomed to seeing what is at our eye level, so we often don’t think about the fact that a lot of interesting things are happening above our heads. Catch subjects from a bottom-up perspective, because the horizons and attention of a street photographer cannot lie in only one plane.

Don't avoid the dark

If you think that lack of lighting will prevent you from taking good pictures, then you are mistaken. The night has its own special atmosphere, which looks quite advantageous in photographs. Use street lights, neon signs, car headlights, and even moonlight as light sources. Forget about the flash - with it all the “magic” of the frame will disappear.

Don't forget the rules of composition

Despite the fact that the genre of street photography involves a flight of imagination and ideas, and is also based on improvisation, it is very important to follow the basics of compositional frame construction. By respecting the architecture of the frame, you show your professionalism and ability to work with a camera.

Blend in with the crowd

Dress discreetly for a photo hunt - you should not attract too much attention so as not to scare off the model. The same goes for conversations: try to be quietly invisible, so that the subject of your shooting does not stop behaving naturally and relaxed - after all, many people are frightened by the presence of a camera in their face, which is why people close themselves or even leave the place. Try to photograph a person quickly, literally in a few frames - no one likes excessive attention and observation for a long time.

Try different colors

Some people believe that canonical street photography should be black and white. It is not always so. What is much more important is whether you were able to tell a story and convey emotions with your photos. Another argument in favor of color photography is that it can be converted to monochrome using photo editors, which cannot be said about an initially black and white photograph.

These small recommendations are not mandatory in such a huge genre of photography as street photography. They will only help you start moving in this direction, learn to look for the unusual in the ordinary and catch the necessary mood. Over time, if you practice a lot and actively, you will be able to do without any advice: it will be easier for you to find interesting shots, and their number will increase.

“The essence of street photography is to capture everyday life and society on the streets. Opportunities to practice this type of photography are everywhere, and you don't need to travel to distant lands to take a great photo. Photos in this genre are usually taken secretly, without permission, and the person you're shooting doesn't even know about it. And yet street photography does not exclude staged shots. You may come across interesting characters that you want to capture, you can approach and ask permission to photograph them: this is a great way to get more personal portraits in the person's familiar environment.

The most important thing in street photography is to have fun with the camera. Remember, your goal is to capture a person’s emotions, inner content, and character. It will take time to learn, but practice and patience will pay off.

Choose the best lens

Lens selection is one of the most important factors in street photography. You might want to use a telephoto lens, but it will likely do more harm than good. It’s unlikely that people will like a suspicious guy who films them from afar with a huge camera. If you want to become invisible, you need to come closer and participate in what is happening yourself. Take a wide-angle lens and get lost in the crowd. Many street photographers prefer to use compact camera, and not a large “DSLR” - compacts are smaller, lighter and more discreet.

Camera settings

The fastest and easiest way to adjust your settings for street photography is to switch to Av (aperture priority) mode and manually select your aperture and ISO. The camera will choose the shutter speed itself. On a clear sunny day, you can set f/16 and ISO from 200 to 400. If the camera shows a shutter speed of more than 1/200 second, you can shoot. If the shutter speed is less than 1/80, there is a risk that the photo will be blurry - although this can give an interesting effect. If you don't need it, then simply raise the ISO or choose a larger aperture.

If you are a beginner, you can always put the camera in P (program) mode and let the device choose correct settings. In this mode, you can adjust the EV if you want to get an overexposed or underexposed shot. This is useful when you're shooting on the go without worrying about how your photos will turn out, but you don't have full control over what the camera does. Therefore it is not always the best option. Program mode is fine, but in low light conditions there is a high chance that the shutter speed will not be enough to get a clear image.

Get closer to your characters

Using a wide-angle lens allows you to get closer to the people you're photographing. A wide angle gives the viewer the feeling of being present in the moment captured in the photograph. In addition, such a lens will allow you to blend into the crowd, become part of the world around you, and not stand on the sidelines with long optics.

Many successful street photographs were taken just a few meters from the scene, sometimes just a few centimeters. Walk through full of people a street, market or park can yield some great shots if you are observant enough and look for interesting characters. And if the pictures you take don't look the way you visualized them, it might be worth taking a closer look. Let your feet be your zoom and guide you to the right place and to right time.

Always keep your camera handy

Street photography is a spontaneous thing, it won’t wait. You must memorize this. The camera is an extension of yourself, a tool with which you show your vision to the world; and you won't want to miss a great shot just because you didn't have your camera handy. If you're serious about street photography, you should always have a camera with you.
This is called the “decisive moment” - when you only have a split second to photograph something that will disappear forever in the next moment. There may not be a second chance, so be prepared.

Some people are very worried about street photography - they worry that people will get angry because they are being photographed; They are worried that they might use force or call the police. These are common fears that can be overcome with practice and more practice. Here are some tips on how you can overcome anxiety.
Find an interesting place and set up there with your camera. When traveling, I spend a lot of time in cafes and restaurants with my camera at the ready. Observing your surroundings in a comfortable environment, you can relax and wait for the shot to find you. People will pay much less attention to you if you sit with a camera at a table in a street cafe than if you stand with a camera in the middle of the street.

Turn on your player and go for a walk. Music helps you to distract yourself, relax, and at the same time stimulates creativity. It may sound counterintuitive, but it works, so if you know the places you'll be walking are safe, put on your headphones and go. Of course, this does not apply to walking at night in unfamiliar areas. Never let your guard down.

Shoot from the hip

The general rule of street photography is that if you can shoot while holding the camera at eye level, the shot will turn out better. But sometimes there are cases when it cannot be raised. Therefore, shooting from the hip, so to speak, is a useful technique to help capture the decisive moment. When I first started doing street photography, I found it very difficult to raise my camera to eye level and point it at strangers. So I started shooting from the hip to get more natural, unstaged images where the subjects don't know they're being filmed. The shots weren't great at first, but as I practiced photography this way and learned how to choose the right focal length, I was able to capture some great moments.

Shoot at night

Shooting a city at night is a great chance to get unique shots. Yes, shooting in the dark is more difficult than in daylight; you need to remember about the shutter speed so that the image does not turn out blurry, set the correct ISO and aperture settings to compensate for the lack of lighting.

If you plan to shoot with long exposures, take a tripod with you. Or use a fast lens. When shooting at night, try to find interesting lines, shadows, and compositions that will give the frame bold visual images. Silhouette photography gives an interesting effect - shadows in the foreground can look very good.

Think bigger

Strong ideas and emotions can be conveyed through the simplest scenes. Most people mistakenly associate street photography only with people and their portraits on the street. But it is not at all necessary that there be a person in the frame. On crowded streets, it's difficult to avoid people in your camera, so turn into a quiet alley or alley and look for new interesting subjects and subjects for your photos. In Vietnam, I spent a lot of time on the street photographing bicycles - then these shots became a small series called “Transport”, which enjoyed good success in the photographic community. I didn't intend all this initially, but it turned out that I needed to do something unusual to get an interesting series.

Image quality isn't everything

Some photographers may disagree with me, but personally, when shooting street photography, I do not pay as much attention to image quality as, for example, when shooting landscapes or commercial commissions. No, of course, you should strive for quality whenever possible, but for street photography it is not so important. Composition, lighting, idea, story are much more important. And if your shots combine these four points, then you are on the right track.
Sharpness, lack of noise, perfect image quality - all this is useless if the photo has no composition and atmosphere, and poor lighting. Focus on what's really important first and you'll get great street shots.

The main thing is pleasure

As with any other genre of photography, the important thing here is to do what brings you joy and enjoy what you do. If street photography doesn't speak to your heart, it's highly likely that your photos will be mediocre. Creativity is where the passion is, so do only what makes you feel happy, not what others expect from you. I love street photography because it allows me to roam the streets freely, meet interesting people and see everyday life from a new perspective. This inspires me.

Conclusion

Street photography takes practice. The more you do it, the more trained your look becomes, the more confident you feel. This genre is simpler than others; post-processing is not required, and if it is required, it is minimal. Perception and intuition are much more important. Perception requires a creative eye for detail and close attention to it. Intuition is something sudden, not subject to any reasoning. Both of these factors together create that decisive moment. It's an amazing process that takes images to the next level. Thanks to him, street photography appears.

The magic of street photography is that it doesn't follow any rules. She notices and captures unusual moments of everyday life. If you've ever felt the urge to take your camera for a walk through busy city streets or off-the-beaten-path locations, be sure to give street photography a chance and try yourself as a street photographer.

We've collected all the best tips that will help you get the most out of the genre and create truly atmospheric images.

Tip #1: Review your equipment and try not to stand out from the crowd

Our first piece of advice is not to draw attention to yourself. Imagine walking down the street and seeing a stranger with a huge telephoto lens pointed right at you. We bet you won't be very comfortable? You need to put yourself in the shoes of passers-by and try to blend in with the crowd a little.

Instead of a standard DSLR, we recommend choosing a lightweight and compact camera. Yes! This is precisely the main secret of all street photographers. You need to respect the privacy of the people around you, especially those you are going to photograph. Arm yourself with a compact camera and dive into the thick of things.

Instead of zooming, which often results in poor quality photos, get closer to your subject. Stop passively clicking the shutter and turning on the zoom, rather use a wide-angle lens and concentrate your efforts on being in the right place at the right time every now and then. Don't think about the lens - rather move your legs.

However, remember to treat people with respect, so maintain a comfortable distance. One of best photos- those taken from a very close distance, literally a few meters from the center of events. Be observant! Look for interesting objects and plots, dynamics and action - everything that is an integral part of the vibrant life of the streets.

Most likely, your first instinct will be to shoot everything that catches your eye. Indeed, on the street so many moments seem extraordinary and worth it to be captured on camera. However, even in street photography you need to develop a discerning editorial eye. You need to be attentive, spend more time looking closely at everything, watching people.

Instead of coming back with a thousand photos that you have to sort through, try to focus more on quality rather than quantity.

Tip #4: Experiment with different times of day

During rush hours, the streets literally transform. Early morning - special time, because this is the time when you can take unique shots of sparsely populated streets; is there some more , and don't forget about night photography. Remember these good moments, because in street photography, good moments are everything.

IN different time You will have different lighting conditions throughout the day. You can come to the same place, but each time you will receive completely different photos. So you should definitely experiment with shooting in the morning, midday and evening. After all, light is what makes photography special.

Tip #5: Learn to ask permission to film, and don't let hostility discourage you.

Sometimes you know for sure that now you will get a super successful photo - you just need to quickly catch on camera that person who caught your attention. However, many street photographers say that first you need to learn to ask permission. Of course, the most original and effortless photos are usually taken when the subject is unaware of anything and just minding his own business. However, don't be afraid to take your time shooting a little.

Learn to ask, because you never know what the next meeting will bring... Let people know that you find them interesting and ask for a portrait photo. Some will immediately agree and even feel flattered that you chose them. Well, if you come across hostility, know that it’s okay, it’s part of the work process. Just don't dwell on it and move on.

Tip #6: Don't miss out on dramatic lighting and interesting combinations

The success of many street photographs lies in the element of surprise. Essentially, your task is to photograph places and phenomena that are well known to us, but show them in a new, unexpected light. It’s as if you are capturing a moment, a fragment of a day that will never happen again.

By dramatic lighting I mean the play of two opposites: light and dark, light and shadow. This is just a goldmine for many talented people street photographers, especially, if you shoot in black and white.

In many ways, the magic of street photography lies in successful and sometimes completely unexpected combinations - in the strange juxtaposition of people and the objects around them. Look for an environment that will help convey your message to the viewer, and let it be something slightly contradictory. Human emotions, gestures and facial expressions also fall under this point.

Tip #7: Worried about the legality of street photography?- Relax!

You know, a lot of photographers are scared away from street photography by the fear of “is it legal”? The only time it can become illegal is when using photos of people for commercial purposes. If you don't sell photographs, you can easily keep street photographs in your personal collection.

Well, if you plan to sell photos on photo stocks, you can always mark them with the Editorial category, that is, “For editorial use only.” This means that your images do not come with any model releases and can only be used for editorial purposes, i.e. to illustrate or cover an event, news or story.

If on the street someone asks you what you are doing, do not be nervous, but calmly and politely explain to the stranger what you are doing. Smile and remember that some people are simply curious why you are walking down the street, pointing your lens at passers-by.

Tip #8: Be more than just a photographer, be a storyteller

You are the silent observer, the creator behind the photographs. You carefully select objects and subjects and work with the context around you. However, remember, you are also telling a story that will never be repeated.

Behind the originality and success of successful portraits and stunning street photography there is often an element of storytelling. What are you trying to say? Why did you choose these particular objects for shooting? What emotions are you trying to convey? If viewing your photos takes the viewer several minutes, then you are doing everything right. Don't forget to ask yourself these important questions when you take pictures.

Tip #9: The secret to street photography is to shoot from the hip.

Of course, you want to be in control of the snapshot process. To get really great shots and great angles, you need to be able to see what you're shooting. However, don't forget that there are times when this simply isn't possible - like when you're standing right in the middle of an eye-popping street scene. Shooting from the hip without looking through the viewfinder has become a great way for many photographers to quickly seize an opportunity.

You really don't know how the photo will turn out, but at the same time you get an original angle. Shooting from the hip produces more lively and relaxed photos. They can bring you genuine surprise, but remember that this remedy is used only in the most extreme cases.

Tip #10: Make it a habit to go outside and take photos more often.

Take your camera with you everywhere! And when you don’t have a camera with you, take pictures with your phone. The truth is that every day brings with it new events: something interesting always happens, interesting people, and an extraordinary photo is sure to be waiting for you somewhere. All these extraordinary situations and events will not wait until you decide to take your camera with you.

Remember that only practice can give real results. Street photography is a kind of art. And those who discover the magic of street photography will never be able to look at everyday life in the same way.

I’ve long wanted to write a post about my little secrets of good photography! A post with the results of the month is just right for this! Read my tips with links to example bows. Active links UNDER photos of bows!

So, in short, I tell you:

1. MANUAL MODE ONLY!

No, even the most expensive camera will give you a gorgeous picture in automatic mode! It is a fact! So don’t think about buying an expensive camera for the sake of good photography... Better find courses for beginner photographers in your city, where they will tell you in detail how to shoot, independently choosing the three main parameters of photography: aperture, shutter speed and ISO. On your camera this mode is indicated by the letter “M”! However, some inexpensive soap dishes do not have this mode. So, of course, at some stage you will feel “crowded” with your inexpensive camera. But if you're on a budget, start investing with a course rather than an expensive camera.

2. SHOOTING TIME MATTER!

In the warm season, when the sky is clear without clouds and the sun is shining, I shoot either in the morning from 8 am to 11 am, or in the evening from 5 pm to 7 pm... It is at this time that the sun shines softly and there are no contrasting shadows, no fallen white/black plots. The photograph has relatively balanced light. My average settings are as follows: aperture is always f 2.8 (see point 4), ISO - 200-400, shutter speed - 160-640. On a cloudy day (see Lukes No. 8 and 11), the shooting time does not matter much, since the light is diffused and soft at any time of the day. I don’t recommend shooting in the summer when the sun is at its zenith. It is difficult and requires special skills. You need to go into the shadows and choose a location that will fill the frame well (see Look No. 5). There is a narrow path, sandwiched between dense lines of photogenic bushes and a parking lot on the other side. On top there are many of the same photogenic leaves of plane trees and spruces (again, in the light).

But first, try to take pictures either in the morning or in the evening! In winter, this rule is not so relevant! After all, even in the middle of the day the sun is low above the horizon and, accordingly, the light is softer and more diffused...

3. AGAINST THE LIGHT!

OH MY GOD! How many times have I heard the indignant words of pedestrians/onlookers: “What are you doing! You can't shoot against the light! Stop this disgrace immediately!!!” But that's exactly what I do! I stand with my back to the sun, and the photographer stands facing it! And let there be small illuminated white areas of the frame behind me (see Look No. 7), but the glow of hair in the light (see Look No. 6) or translucent areas of fabric (see Look 1, 5, 12) will give the photo an effect inner glow and romanticism!

4. GET AWAY FROM THE BACKGROUND!

One of the basic principles of fashion photography is that the model is the basis of the frame, the background is just a canvas! For the blurred background effect, you can use two methods (I use both at the same time to enhance the effect): first, choose a location in which you can stand at least 5-10 meters away and even further from the background plane (building)! The second way is to select the maximum open aperture on your camera, that is, the minimum aperture number (f/2.8 or f/3.2), which is determined by the characteristics of your lens. By the way, the lens is exactly what you should spend most of your photographic budget on! My beauty is the Canon EF 135 mm f/2.0 L. It was thanks to him that my photographs rose to a more professional level about a year ago...

5. OR TEXTURED WALL WITH OBLIQUE RAYS OF THE SUN.

Another favorite trick of mine lately is to find a clean textured wall with plaster a la “fur coat”, which is located so that the rays of the morning or evening sun fall at an angle of 10-20 degrees to it! Again, the model stands with her back to the sun, barely touching the wall, the photographer faces the sun approximately 1-2 meters from the wall. This trick is used in Luke No. 10 and parts of Luke No. 1 and 6.

These are not all my tricks! But this is enough for you to start with! So, experiment and don't be afraid to make mistakes! In each photo shoot I have 400-1000 photos! And only 6-12 are worthy of attention!

My equipment:

Lens: Canon EF 135 mm F/2.0 L.

Well, for those who are here for the sake of pure fashion! CHOOSE THE BEST ONION OF AUGUST!!! 🙂

Most genres in photography can be easily identified or described at least by the subject. If a photographer photographs natural beauty and landscapes, then, therefore, he is engaged in landscape photography. If he photographs people, their faces and emotions, then we are talking about portrait photography. It is much more difficult to define the genre of street photography.

At first glance, it seems that street photography is photographing people, objects and interesting events taking place on city streets, in parks or other public places. But in reality, street photography may not necessarily mean shooting on the street. Perhaps the main thing that distinguishes street photography from all other genres is the photographer’s desire to find some zest in everyday events and the ordinary lives of people, to satisfy his curiosity in unexpected cases and to capture in his photographs the true diversity of the surrounding world.

Therefore, a real street photographer is not limited to any strict definition of the genre of street photography - he can concentrate on the comical situations that a person constantly encounters in his life, draw the viewer’s attention to the acute social problems or choose to photograph a specific event that seems interesting to him. Be that as it may, a street photographer constantly examines everything around him in search of interesting subjects and curious incidents, focusing his camera's attention, first of all, on people and their actions.

Becoming a street photographer is very simple - you just need to carry a camera with you wherever you go. This is how many people started professional photographers, who became famous thanks to the genre of street photography. You don’t need to go anywhere, just walk around your city and try to take interesting shots. This is the main beauty of street photography. You take your camera with you and go to work, classes, or just a walk around the city, and you can always find time to take some interesting shots.

Author: schaaflicht

By the way, for street photography it is not necessary to use expensive SLR camera, because it will be difficult to carry it with you. It is enough to acquire some advanced and convenient compact camera, which, thanks to its modest size, can always be put in a bag or pocket. Carrying a camera with you at all times is a de facto rule for any photographer who wants to master street photography. Interesting and funny moments on the street often arise at the most unexpected moments. And if you don’t have a camera at hand, you may later regret that you missed a great opportunity to take the most successful shots of your life. Street photography means that anything can happen in the next second and the photographer must be prepared for it.

However, in addition to the fact that the photographer must catch some interesting moment on the street, he must also correctly play it in the context. By comparing the event that interests him with the surrounding environment, a street photographer always strives to create a certain story, a plot that can express the humor, irony of the author or the beauty of the world around him.

Typically, photographers go to the city center, where a huge number of people pass through the streets every day and many interesting events take place that just need to be noticed. This is where the photographer’s ability to wait comes in handy. Although modern digital photographic equipment allows you to take hundreds of photographs in a matter of minutes, in the case of street photography, the main thing is not quantity, but quality. It’s better to wait for an interesting, curious moment and take just a few successful shots, having previously studied the place, the light, the actions of people and the surrounding objects.

Skier delayed until summer

Photographer conduct and ethics are important considerations when it comes to the genre of street photography. When photographers first start out in street photography, they inevitably experience a certain amount of shyness and inhibition. Many people are simply not comfortable being on the street with a camera and taking pictures of people who immediately pay attention to you. If you really want to become a street photographer, you will have to forget about shyness and what other people think of you.

Regarding the behavior of a photographer on the street, there are no universal recipes. Many famous photographers have used special techniques to get lost in the crowd and remain invisible. For example, someone covered the camera from prying eyes or filmed from the hip so that people passing on the street would not realize that they were being filmed. This street photography technique also means that you must look like a typical representative of that urban area in order to be able to completely blend in with the crowd and at the same time shoot people closely without getting into the frame. We can say that in this case the photographer is required to possess real ninja skills. However, this is not at all necessary. Some photographers achieve success, on the contrary, due to their directness, courage and openness. In a word, everyone must find their own approach here.

It is believed that filming people on the street without permission is prohibited. People often get annoyed when they suddenly realize that they have been caught on camera. Some even openly express their dissatisfaction and enter into conflict. Only a smile can help a photographer out in such a difficult situation. Try to smile at strangers on the street more often, and a positive response will not be long in coming. It is better, of course, to politely ask permission to take photographs from the person who has interested you in something. If someone does not want to be photographed, you need to show respect and leave them alone.

It must be said that not all street photographers share the opinion that one should try to ask permission to take photographs from people simply passing along the street. In particular, many believe that true street photography should be unbiased, which means that the photographer is not responsible at all for the fact that any person or event was included in the frame while shooting in public place. However, if you decide to become a street photographer, then you cannot avoid communicating with strangers, and therefore you need to learn how to talk correctly with the person you just photographed.

We must not forget about respect for people. On the street you can find a lot of photographic scenes that can capture a person from, to put it mildly, not the most beautiful side. Sometimes photographs of homeless people taken on the street look like pure exploitation of their misfortune. Taking pictures of such people just to take a photo is probably not too much good idea. But coming up with an interesting subject for a photograph that would evoke in the viewer a feeling that encourages him to help the homeless is a completely different task.

When it comes to shooting technique, street photography requires the photographer to get as close to the subject as possible. Always try to get closer to people and take more detailed photos. For street photography, it is important to use wide-angle lenses. Such lenses, firstly, look much less threatening than large telephotos, and secondly, they create a frame perspective in which the viewer will feel like part of the scene, and not an outside observer. In street photography, you can also shoot black and white, monochrome images, thanks to which the photograph better conveys human emotions captured at some decisive, interesting moment.

When shooting outdoors, you should always pay attention to the background and lighting features. The background should be chosen so that it can add additional expressiveness and attractiveness to your photo. And at the same time, it should not distract from the main subject of photography. Light is important for any genre of photography and street photography is no exception.

A street photographer is the complete opposite of a studio photographer, who tries to properly arrange the light, optimally position the subject, and determine the appropriate camera settings in order to get the desired result. It's different for a street photographer. His the main task is to capture any curious moments and unusual things, isolating them from the whirlpool of everyday life in the metropolis. Therefore, the characteristics of photographic equipment are not so important for him. But, despite the fact that for a street photographer, in general, it does not matter in principle which camera to use - a DSLR or a point-and-shoot camera, he must clearly know how best to use it. A street photographer shouldn't waste his time changing various camera settings. All this should happen almost on a subconscious level.

Beginners who are just taking their first steps in the genre of street photography often have various doubts and difficulties. They just don’t know where and where to start filming on the street, what story to choose? But you should immediately discard these doubts and indecision. After all, this is the essence of street photography - you cannot plan what will happen in the next moment and what story will suddenly seem interesting to you. You just need to start, take your camera with you and go outside, where a wide variety of interesting moments await you.