Street Photography Tips pt. 7
Be Respectful
A little bit of respect while you’re shooting street photography can go a long way. If someone confronts you about why you’re taking photos, respectfully and kindly let them know who you are, what you’re doing and that you pose no threat and mean no harm. If someone notices you taking a photo of them and they confront you, it’s best to start off with what you’re doing, followed up with a compliment like “I really like your outfit, and I thought it would make an amazing photograph.” It can help diffuse the situation if you show them the photograph as well, and maybe even your instagram page just to put their mind at ease, but none of this is necessary. Remember, in the US, you’re not breaking any laws by taking photographs of strangers in public places, but respect is absolutely critical.
Go Out and Shoot
This seems like it should be a no-brainer, but I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wanted to improve my own street photography skills, but I didn’t go out and shoot. Don’t fall for that self-constructed trap. Get out and shoot. You can’t get better at something if you don’t practice. If you have an urge to go out and shoot, even if it’s for an hour, get up and just go for it. You might walk away with some of your favorite photos, but you won’t know unless you do it. This photo is one of my earliest, and the night I got it, I was tired, dealing with anxiety, and the last thing I wanted to do was grab my camera. It’s also one of my favorite early photos.
Don’t Be Afraid of Taking Bad Shots (Especially on Digital)
You’re going to take bad photos, full stop. This photo is blurry, because my shutter speed was far too slow. I wasn’t paying attention to my settings, and it’s unusable. It’s part of the process of being a photographer. Don’t be afraid of taking bad photos, especially if you shoot digitally. It’s all part of the process, and something every single photographer goes through. I’d estimate about 95% of the shots I walk away with on any given street day aren’t even keepers, let alone bangers. If you walk away from a day of shooting with 1 or 2 good images that you’re happy with, count that as a win and aim for 3 or 4 next time you go out. Sometimes you may walk away with absolutely nothing, and that’s okay too. You can’t win ‘em all. Don’t be afraid of bad photos.
