Street photography is all about finding unexpected moments and interesting people. To be able to capture these spontaneous moments, the photographer needs to be ready to adapt quickly and interact with the subjects at the right times. Here are the five best tools and techniques for capturing street scenes.
1. Try a Wide Angle, Prime Lens
Zoom lenses may get you close to a subject without physically being close, but they can be a bad idea for street photography. Zoom lenses are hard to carry and make you stand out in a crowd. You might as well hang a sign around your neck declaring that you are taking sneaky photos.
A wide angle prime lens is a wide angle lens with a fixed focal length. They allow you to put more of the location into your photo while keeping it all in focus. This means that you can take a photo of a person without aiming your camera directly at them. This will make your photos seem less posed, more spontaneous, and you won’t attract unwanted attention. They are also much easier to lug around since they are very light.
2. Just Ask!
Many people are completely open to having their picture taken, as long as you ask. If you plan on publishing the photos for a profit, you are going to need the subject to sign a waiver anyway. So, don’t be afraid to ask.
This brings up another point: Always carry permission forms. These forms simply state that you can use the person’s image for commercial use. Here is a sample form you can draw from: Sample Photo Release Form
3. Get a Lens Hood
The streets are rough. It is important to protect your lens, so it makes sense to use a lens hood. Not only does a lens hood protect your lens from damage without obscuring shots, but it also reduces glare on a sunny day. This will help ensure that your photos are clear and saturated with color without editing.
The petal shape of some hoods helps keep the edges of the hood out of the view of the lens. If you are using a wide angle prime lens, you can use a round lens hood since the lens is stationary and the hood will not get in the way.
4. Turn the Sound Off
You know that beeping sound your camera makes when you are using auto-focus? Go into your settings and turn it off. The sounds coming from your camera can easily draw the attention of your subject, ruining a candid moment. If you can’t figure out how to turn off the sound, use manual focus for street shots. Even if you’re talking to the person, the sound of the camera can be jarring and produce a pose instead of a casual stance.
5. Street Photography Is Not Landscape Photography
Street photography is a separate genre of photography from landscape photography. When you are out taking photos, remember that you don’t need to shoot the entire scene. Crop out distractions and focus on one or two subjects. Fill your lens with the important part of the photo as often as you can. This will make for much more interesting photos.
Keep It Simple
Keep your shooting simple, look for interesting subjects, and use these tips and tools to take great street photography the next time you are out and about.
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