This is a list of tips & tricks for better street photography.
Let’s get this out of the way first: I’ve shot street photography with the Ricoh GR II, The Fuji x100f and the Fuji X-T3.
By far, my favorite camera for street photography is the Fujifilm X-T3. Just look at the overly positive Amazon-reviews for this amazing camera.
Get my camera settings for street photography.
How you do street portraits [Video]
These are my street photography tips
Learn how to use the shutter speed. This book is the bible.
“Could you do that again please?”
Before I took this street portrait of this guy you see below, the person to the right-handed him some money. I asked, “could you please do that again?” and he did and I took the shot
Get Close to your subject.
Get even closer.
Step back
Look for hand-gestures
Get the best camera within your budget and focus on shooting
I shoot with Ricoh GR II or Fujifilm x100f I highly recommend both of them!
Learn how to deal with the fear of doing street photography.
Take photos of things you like
Take photos that make you feel something
Find your own style.
Upload a photo every day: Like this.
Be your own harshest critic.
Tutorial: Video of me doing street photography in Mexico City
Listen to the Candid Frame Podcast.
Get your photography in front of journalists
Shoot in every weather and experiment which photos makes sense for what weather. (Also in harsh light)
Post your work on Reddit. Like this.
Don’t (only) measure the quality of your photograph, based on the amount of like it gets.
Be playful with it.
Use photography as an excuse to travel.
Examine the photographs of legends. Like these.
Go to the streets without a plan.
Shoot street photography in both color and black & white.
Go to the streets with a plan, like this.
Get eye contact
Have fun with it.
Don’t obsess about gear, get these books instead.
Take photos that tell a story
The guy in this photograph is inhaling something referred to as ‘mona’ or ‘activo’ or PVC cleaner which is a liquid used for cleaning drainpipes. In Mexico City, you, unfortunately, see a lot of young guys getting high on the streets inhaling this and for good reasons.
This is a quote from a 15-year-old homeless kid who is addicted to ‘activo’: “We’ve had men coming into our tents and choosing whomever they want… I have had to do things I never knew existed, that’s where the medicine we inhale really comes in handy.”
Get inspiration from documentaries & movies.
Your phone is more stealthy than a small camera. Use it as well.
Don’t over edit.
Look for triangles.
Go to Flickr. Look at photos you like and guess the settings the photographer used to make this photograph. You will learn a lot from this!
When you watch movies, pay attention to the framing and composition. Like in this Youtube video.
Cover a project or a cause that matters to you.
Believe in yourself. Like this.
Learn the rules and do whatever you want thereafter.
Take 10.000 shitty photographs
Smile and have a positive attitude. It will be more fun for everyone involved.
Don’t go to the streets expecting a result.
Go to the streets with or without music.
Don’t expect to make a living from this.
Don’t quit.
Ask yourself why you are doing this.
Take the same photograph, some different angles.
Work the scene, like this.
Have confidence in yourself on the street. Especially in a tough neighborhood.
Find a background you like and wait for a subject.
Buy comfortable shoes.
Don’t over-think it.
Don’t be a push-over.
Wait for the smile to fade.
Take a shower before you go to the streets.
Shoot from the hip.
Learn how to edit your photos. Skillshare is a great place to take classes. They have a free trial.
If someone wants the photo delete, you delete it.
Don’t be a dick.
Explain why you want to take someone’s photograph.
Add a File With Your Contact Details in Your SD Cards (credit)
Get out of your comfort zone
Approach 10 people. Get 5 yes and 5 no. Like this
Think before you shoot.
Study light with this book.
Get your first gig – paid or free, it doesn’t matter.
Don’t rely on Instagram only. Try EyeEm, 500px, Flickr & Tumblr.
Use your flash – Also in the daytime.
Connect with other photographers
Look for symbolic
Find contrast and Juxtaposition
Attend a photography meet up
Experiment taking photos of your family and friends.
Study composition, with this bible.
Force yourself to find interesting photos in boring situations.
Start a blog write about your photography. This is how.
Understand photography marketing
Don’t get comfortable.
Don’t beat yourself (too much) up if you have a bad day on the street.
Take all kind of photos. Not just street photography. If you see a great landscape or a friend who want his photograph taken, used this opportunity to learn about genres you don’t necessarily shoot.
Learn how to read a histogram here.
Fuck around with shadows. On the streets and in editing.
Look for symmetry.
Experiment with photo backgrounds like these.
All the photos I use in my examples are shot by me with one of these cameras: FujiFilm X-T3, Ricoh GR 2 and Fuji’s x100f.
This was my street photography tips & tricks. I hope you could use the ideas as inspiration for your street photos.