The good thing is, street photography is, in some ways, getting easier.
Here are a few tips Ive found have helped me take better shots on city streets.
Take this shot for example.
By getting closer you’re able to see details like lines in the subjects face.
I took the photo below while covering protests outside Trump Tower after the election.
I saw a demonstrator shouting into a bullhorn.
I moved out from the middle of the march and pushed my way right in front of him.
Youre also going to have to get over shyness about talking to strangers.
I saw Albert while walking around the French Quarter in New Orleans.
People will pick up on your enthusiasm.
I was walking around downtown Manhattan recently when I noticed a bright mural reflected in a murky puddle.
But I do often have to let them know its ok to walk in front of me.
I thought this woman stuck out, and showed some movement as well.
This guy (in the photo below) passed me on a rainy day in Midtown.
I would have been haunted by his image if I missed the shot.
It looks like he noticed me, which actually made the photo a little more interesting.
you’re able to always crop in.
This increases your odds of getting the shot.
I was at a cafe when this couple next to me started to intensely make out.
I was quick on the draw and captured this.
But youll have to get over those concerns if you want to capture real human interaction.
Chase the Light
Nothing can ruin an interestingly composed photo than bad lighting.
Cloudy days create diffuse light so you dont have harsh shadows.
This will create stark, long shadows and add some more drama to your scene.
For example, I was able to get these shadows while walking around Midtown last February.
Also keep in mind where the sun is if youre shooting during a bright day.
Heres an example of a backlit subject.
Heres a pretty literal example of it.
Its all About the Details
Its not just about people and sweeping vistas.
Think about those little details that tell us something about time and place.
We often have pretty universal feelings about things we find funny or out of place.
So if you see something you find fascinating, chances are others will, too.
If you take someones portrait, why not get their name and some details about who they are?
Just dont overdo it.
I find using three or four hashtags is good.
Any more than that and people will get annoyed.
My colleagueAnthony DelMundois quite adept at this.
In this shot, I focused on my wife as she walked through a tunnel ahead of me.
I then exposed for the ocean in the background so she became silhouetted and the tunnel completely black.
