Street Photography Tips pt. 6
Shoot locally
Shooting locally, especially in smaller towns, can be challenging, but it’s worth doing. Shooting in a place like NYC is easy. If you live in a boring town, get out there and make it look NOT boring. It’s hard to do, but if you can make the mundane look interesting, you can shoot in any town and find something great. You can change the expectation of street photography in your own area with that kind of discipline.
Keep your gear minimal
I’m not gonna lie, I need to discipline myself more on this tip. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t hear it. Keep your gear MINIMAL. One camera body, some batteries, and one, MAYBE 2 lenses. The smaller your kit, the better. Carrying around a bunch of heavy camera gear all day can be exhausting, and it can put you at a greater risk of having your gear stolen. Ideally, a small point-and-shoot that you can tuck into your pocket is a great investment, but otherwise, take your camera, one or two lenses, and a discreet backpack or sling bag, and keep the rest of your stuff at home.
Be aware of your surroundings
As much as I hate to admit it, street photography can be dangerous. Taking photos of strangers can be pretty intimidating for the shooter, and the subject. Even if you’re taking a photo of the side of a building, people can become suspicious and feel threatened by it, especially at night. Always make sure you’re not putting yourself in a dangerous situation. Avoid areas you don’t feel safe in, pay attention to where you are and the people around you, and don’t act suspicious. Don’t give people a reason to think you’re doing anything wrong, and you’ll be perfectly fine. Stay aware and stay safe.
