If you’re looking to get started in street photography, a few practical tips can really make it easy to capture moments out in the city and even around your neighborhood. Here, I’m sharing my best beginner friendly advice to help you shoot more confidently and creatively on the streets without feeling overwhelmed. Whether you want to sharpen your skills or just enjoy the adventure, these ideas should help.
Now- I don’t pretend to know everything about Street Photography. This is one of the reasons I started PixelProjectCo. So I could learn along with other photographers. Below are the ideas/concepts that really helped me when I first started.
Understanding Street Photography Basics
Street photography captures life in public spaces. This could be taking images of people, places (buildings, etc), or just objects on the street. What really matters is staying observant, patient, and respectful. The whole concept of street photography is that none of it is staged. You’re capturing REAL present moments with human beings (or evidence of humans), interesting patterns, and small details that other people don’t notice. This is what makes street photography so authentic. With AI on the rise, I believe that more and more people will want to connect with actual humans. Street photography is definitely a way to do this!
Keep it simple: When you are just starting out, don’t run out to buy the latest and most expensive camera. See if you stick with it and actually like street photography. I was doing this for one year before I bought a Fuji camera. Any camera (even your smartphone) is enough to get you started. There’s a well known photographer/videographer in New York named New York Nico that takes a lot of video completely with his cell phone.
10 Street Photography Tips for Beginners
- 1. Always be Ready
Have your camera with you at all times. So if you use your cell phone primarily, then you have an advantage. You never know when you will see something amazing to photograph. Also, learn how your camera works. If you have to fumble with your camera settings, you could potentially miss a lot of shots. Practice with different settings so you can shoot fast and keep up with whatever comes your way. The other day, I had my camera while taking a walk at the park. I saw a hole in a tree- and decided to look. There were baby birds nesting. - 2. Start with Where You are Most Comfortable
You may or may not live in a big city. If you do, don’t feel the pressure of rushing to the busy streets. If you are most comfortable in your neighborhood, then start there. It can be exciting to photograph in larger cities because there’s a lot more going on. But if you’re a bit self conscious at first, then start with photographing objects around your neighborhood. Now- with this said, people do pay less attention to photographers in crowded places. So some photographers may disagree with me on this, but that’s okay. The idea is to gain a base level of confidence so eventually you can take your camera anywhere! - 3. Be Curious- Follow your Intuition
Being curious will take you into some really cool places that you may have never even known of. For instance, when I lived in AZ, there was a swinging bench hanging from a Billboard that I never saw from the road. It was only when I went further back did I see the bench. Now- it’s not visible at all because it’s entirely closed off. Of course you always want to be safe and aware of your surroundings. But being curious can open up for photographic opportunities.
- 4. Work With Light
There isn’t one type of light that is best for street photography. Again, some may disagree, but with the right skill set and knowing the outcome you want to achieve, you can take pictures any time of the day. Now- with this said, morning and late afternoon light is soft & flattering with long shadows. Overcast days are useful for when your photo projects requires even lighting without harsh contrasts, while nighttime brings its own vibe with city lights and reflections. If you are an outdoor portrait photographer, you will get better images that you take closer to sunrise or sunset. The afternoon sun is harsh and it will cast shadows on the face. It’s just all about knowing what you want to achieve and how the light works in your favor. - 5. Keep Composition in Mind
This topics requires several articles actually, but to get you started -look out for lines, shapes, reflections, and layers in your frame. One of the most basic and fundamental composition tip is the rule of thirds. Typically, an image will be more dynamic when the subject is off centered. There are exceptions to this too of course. Here is a resource that has great examples of the Rule of Thirds. - 6. Be Patient and Observant
Street photography is sometimes about waiting patiently in one spot. This is often referred to as fishing. A common method is to find an interesting mural or background and wait for a person to walk through the scene. For instance, one that I see quite often is a mural of a hand that looks like it’s ready to grab the person walking by. Be patient and you will often be rewarded. - 7. Stay Respectful
Some people love having their photo taken; others don’t. If someone seems uncomfortable, then ask them first. In some places, it’s better to ask first, so check local laws on privacy as well. I personally am not comfortable taking people’s picture without asking. I have done this- but I actually prefer asking instead. This is called “Street Portraiture”. The last time I did this, I took a picture of a guy on a motorcycle that had his dog on the bike with him. Here it is on my Instagram page. - 8. Accept that not Every Shoot Will be Golden
My mindset is to have fun first and foremost. You shouldn’t place all this pressure on yourself to get a “Banger” every time you shoot. There will be blurry shots and missed moments, but every attempt helps you learn. Don’t delete those “imperfect” photos too quickly; use them to learn from. - 9. Have a Project in Mind
This was a game changer for me. Before- I would step out the door with my camera and have no real idea of what I was going to photograph. I would get overwhelmed and frustrated. Once I set my intentions, I was able to look for those specific items, people, or colors. For instance- here is an example of my Yellow/Green project. Once I decided these were the colors, I was seeing them in different places throughout the day. - 10. Photograph Often
Practice is key for building confidence. Take your calendar, and mark the days where you will go on your photo walks. Do your best to make street photography a routine. With all the great photographers, you will always hear them say that you just have to do your time on the streets in order to improve. And this is so true! As I stated in the beginning of this article, I am far from where I want to be. But I do improve my observation skills every time I go out and shoot.
Share Your Photography
Street photography is an incredible art form with literally endless opportunity! Think about it- every time we take an image, we are capturing a present moment that can never ever be duplicated. (I will even say this with stationary objects). Anyway, if you are taking the time to photograph what you see in your world, then it needs to be shared. If some images are personal, then of course keep those to yourself.
But for me, street photography is recording the present moments so those that come after us can see what life was like. Look at images from the 50’s or 60’s and you’ll know what I am talking about. If we did not have photographers sharing their work then how would we know what life was like back then?
Also, getting feedback and encouragement from others can make your hobby even more fun. If you want more inspiration, check out resources like Magnum Photos’ street photography guides or browse work by iconic photographers to get more ideas.
Your Experiences and Questions
If you’re just starting out or have tips of your own, let’s hear from you! Comment below with your questions or recent wins in street photography. Everyone learns more when we share our experiences and keep the conversation going together.