People often cite creativity as the number one skill required to make compelling photographs. Generally, I agree that what you see in your mind's eye leads to making the best photographs. However, in the world of street photography, our ability to see what is in front of us is integral to the strength of our images, and that means we must learn to be as observant as possible, ensuring we don't miss the shot.
Speak to any photographer from any discipline, and they'll likely tell you the most important thing to master is light. You may have great creative vision and an eye for a good scene, but if you don't understand how to light your frame, there's a strong chance your photograph is a dud.
In February, I wrote an article about why I love my Fujifilm XT2. While I'm not one to pat myself on the back, I'm very proud of that article. Not because it was popular with our readers, but because I was able to put into words the feelings I felt for something that those on the outside would see as merely a tool.
There's never one approach to street photography. That's what makes the genre so beautifully diverse. Naturally, when there's so much diversity, it opens the door to differing opinions on the right or wrong approach to a certain craft.
Street photography has grown in popularity in recent years. As cameras became more accessible and social media became integrated into our daily lives, more people fancied trying their hand at photography.
I have previously written about the possibilities of photography being addictive. It's certainly plausible that street photography is addictive—the hunt, the catch, the shot, the endorphins! It's the reason so many street photographers go out every day in search of the rush that comes with "getting the shot.
Not having the motivation to do something you love is demoralizing. And unfortunately, stagnation in photography is all too common. I've experienced crippling creative ruts, left wondering if I'll ever pick up my camera again: that's no exaggeration.
As the Reviews Editor for The Phoblographer, I'm often solicited for lens recommendations from beginner photographers. Time and time again, I find myself recommending the 50mm focal length. 50mm lenses make for great additions to every photographer's arsenal.
I am passionate about composition — to me, it is the root and foundation of all artwork and aesthetics. But how do we improve our own composition? Easy — research compositions from other artists whose work inspires you, deconstruct it, sketch it, break it apart, figure out how it works, then determine how you can integrate it into your own artwork!
Street photography is certainly one of the genres that are challenging to get into, primarily because you need to adapt a certain mindset for it. Apart from that, you also need to get over your shyness (not introversion, as is the common misconception).
If you are a street photographer chances are that some people may take issue with the images you take of them while you are out and about from time to time, here are some tips from Eric Kim for diffusing those tricky situations.
While it's now frowned upon to just dive headfirst into "documenting" stories of homeless people, it can still be puzzling to some as to what exactly makes it distasteful. Former homeless photographer Robert Shults has recently shared his perspectives about this matter in an insightful interview with Photo District News (PDN).