Beginner's Guide to Street Photography

Mastering the art of street photography can produce some very rewarding images and experiences, yet for some reason most of us find the idea of street photography a little intimidating. This is probably due to the fact that we live in an age of judgement, where people wonder what we're doing and why we're doing it. The truth is, when it comes to taking pictures in public most people really don't care, so keep snapping! Here's my top street photography tips:

"Bicycle" - Brighton, England

Be discreet
My Panasonic GX7 camera is perfect for this as it's small, has a completely silent shutter, and has the option of coming in a discreet black colour (ironically I prefered the silver version). If your camera has wifi, you can even control the shutter from your smartphone without even looking at the camera. Doing this you'll join the other 98% of the public looking at their phone. These are all factors that help me to go unnoticed while I'm taking pictures. I don't need to feel nervous about being watched because I'm not drawing attention to myself, and they don't even know when I'm taking a picture meaning I can capture genuine expressions.

Look like a street photographer

"Grafitti Artist" - Brighton, England

Now this is the complete opposite of the last point and makes me sound completely contradictory, but actually the feeling that everyone knows your motives are of an arty theme and not sinister can put you, the photographer, at ease. It's like announcing you're about to fart before you do it so that people don't laugh at you (but with you). So, how do you look like a street photographer? Just do your thang! Get high, get low. Take time to frame each shot. Use whatever camera/lens you want no matter how big, bright or noisy (but be aware that you might get mugged!). People will most likely see you and go "oh, that's just a street photographer. Nothing interesting".

Master shooting from the hip
This is a common technique that photographers use so that people in the street don't know they are being photographed. Having a camera held up to your face is obvious, but shooting from the hip without looking at your camera makes you almost invisible and allows you to capture genuine emotions, relations, body language and facial expressions from relatively close. It also creates a new and different perspective in the low angle, producing much more interesting pictures. This can be a difficult technique to master, as shots can be blurry from movement, and can also have terrible framing. But practise makes perfect, and eventually you'll find a winning shot! Use a fast shutter speed, a wide angle lens, and if possible a silent shutter (mirrorless cameras).

"Stripes" - Byron Bay, Australia (shot from the hip)

"Family Outing" - Byron Bay, Australia (shot from the hip)

Shoot familiar places
We all love to go somewhere new, but shooting a place you know well is the best way to practise street photography. You'll already have insight into where the best spots are, where you might find some interesting artwork or where a local street musician hangs out. You know the streets and don't have to add getting lost onto your list of worries. Maybe there's a good place to sit where you can take time to frame your shots without being in the way. If you're photographing somewhere new, go back there a few more times if you get the opportunity. You'll find yourself feeling more comfortable and able to take better pictures.

"The Street Artist" - Byron Bay, Australia

Take a patient friend with you

"Moi" - Rouen, France

Safety in numbers and all that. Even photography can be more fun with a friend, as long as they are fine with you stopping to photograph something every 30 seconds. You may find that you feel more comfortable photographing in public with someone with you. They can add in their artistic input and ideas, and can even model for you if need be!

Make your shots different
This is quite important in all genres of photography, and is what makes it an art! Find a new perspective. Use natural light and shadows to add depth and focus to your work. Point the viewers eye away from the 'ordinary' to make it 'extraordinary'. Find an interesting structure, or make a boring structure interesting by shooting it in a different way. Play around and have fun!

"Arches" - Venice, Italy

"Green Man" - Brighton, England

Ask to take someone's picture

Feeling brave? Go up to someone and ask to take their picture. If they're not in a hurry to get somewhere they'll probably say yes. Be friendly. Be genuine. Get chatting. Be interested but not intrusive. It's a fact that as humans we love ourselves, we love talking about ourselves and we love attention, so pay a little attention to someone else and you might even make a friend. How do you even start talking? Just say something like "Hey, I'm just doing a bit of street photography and I think you look pretty awesome sitting there, do you mind if I take your picture?"

Tell an enigmatic story
A picture says a thousand words, right? Well tell a thousand word story with your shot. Capture a scene or a subject that leaves your viewer wondering what happened before or after, or what is going on in someone's head. Leave these questions unanswered and your audience will make it up for themselves.

"Unfinished Story"

There's my tips for street photography. Be prepared to delete 4/5 of your pictures and don't be disheartened if you only got 1 or 2 good shots out of it. Like anything, it takes practise, so get snapping!

Share with me some of your shots in the comments section of my Beth's Babbles and Travels facebook page, or links to your street photography online, I'd love to see some!