Street photography tips

Gear:

• Camera bag – A bagpack will be easier to work with when you’re out wondering the streets. Take a look at Vanguard’s UP-RISE 48 or their UP-Rise 43 which you can move round and get access to quickly.
• Monopod – If you want extra stability but don’t want to keep setting up a tripod take a look at Vanguard’s Elite CP-364 monopod.

Technique:

Have a plan
Sometimes simply wondering around can get you unexpected and interesting shots. However, if you have a route in your head that you know will take you to populated areas that have plenty of space to work in as well as interesting scenery; you’ll put the odds on getting a great street candid more in your favour.

Don’t be too obvious
Yes you have a camera in your hand which gives the game away slightly but if you don’t want a certain person to know you’re photographing them make it look like you’re photographing something else or looking elsewhere. Your other option is to just smile, you’ll be surprised by how many other people simply smile back and let you get on with your job. Not messing with your camera settings so you can simply shoot and go will also help or try shooting from the hip so it looks like you’re not using your camera. Don’t stand too far away from people either as they’re less likely to label you as suspicious.

If you are confronted it’s often easier to walk away and find something else to photograph rather than getting into a fight about it and if it’s a police officer who questions you just be polite and answer their questions, you’ll often find cooperation goes along way.

When to take your photo
You can get lucky and stumble across a scene you just have to photograph but often you’ll find just one element – a person, poster, building etc. That you think will work really well with something else added to the shot. All you have to do then is wait for that special element to come into frame so having patience and a good eye’s key for successful street photography. When you have your scene don’t just shoot one frame and be satisfied. Make sure you shoot plenty of frames so you can review them when you’re back home – you may find you took a great shot you didn’t even notice when out on the street. Don’t isolate your subject too much as the background/surroundings will nearly always add to the overall composition and give the image it’s ‘street photography’ feel.