Surely more than once or twice you have taken out your camera in the middle of the street because something in it has caught your attention, a person, a shape, a certain light… Maybe that time or two they have become hundreds of them and you you have gone crazy or crazy about street photography. Whether you are curious or passionate about it, and continuing with our series of 100 express tips, we offer you these 100 tips for street photography. I hope you enjoy it. To delve deeper into street photography, do not miss the mega guide that we have prepared for you with all the tips and tricks of Street Photography.
Now yes, let’s go with these 100 tips for street photography:
- Start by learning the basic exposure triangle technique:
- The ISO will allow you to increase or decrease the sensitivity of the sensor.
- The diaphragm opening will allow you to control the depth of field and the amount of light that enters through the sensor.
- The shutter speed will allow you to decide whether or not to freeze the movement.
- learn to work the color:
- The color is daily and close to the viewer
- It will help you to highlight elements and focus interest.
- learn to work in black and white:
- for more descriptive photographs,
- that they look for timelessness,
- and with a larger abstraction.
- Nope there needs to be people in the photo.
- Buildings and places can be great protagonists.
- Although one person forever add interest to the scene
- The geometry is essential.
- You can use it to frame your scenes with natural frames.
- as well as for to compose your scene and Turn your gaze.
- Play with the lines in your compositions.
- horizontal: they are the ones we are most used to because they are the most common in the world around us (horizon, meaning of writing…) they transmit serenity and peace.
- Verticals: vertical lines direct your gaze from top to bottom or bottom to top. They are associated with growth, strength, rigidity and height, since they tend to escape our usual angle of vision.
- diagonals: Diagonals are lines with a lot of strainthey have a lot eye force and create very interesting perspectives. That is why the diagonal lines are perhaps the most attractive in compositionbecause they completely break the schemes of your look and, consequently, make them stand out more than the rest.
- curves: curved lines are the most are associated with movementare fluid, soft, sensual and elegant, and allow you to ‘walk’ your gaze more slowly over the image than straight lines.
- Take advantage of leak points when there are to add depth.
- stand up look what surrounds you
- Learn to locate interesting places compositionally.
- Write down those places.
- If you can, go several times and study the light.
- The backlit silhouettes they will give you a lot of game,
- As well as the shadows,
- The punctual light of a lamppost,
- Or from a shop window,
- And even the faces illuminated by mobile phones,
- car headlights,
- And of course the natural light.
- If it’s night, look for good bokeh to add interest to your image.
- Pay attention to the white balance to control the color temperature.
- if predominant a single lightit is very likely that the Automatic mode be very useful to you (daytime photography).
- But at night where many lights are combined with different color temperaturesit is best that you adjust it manually.
- Although if you want to ensure the result, it is best to work in RAW and adjust it in the indicted.
- Practice in your city.
- If you don’t get inspired, walk through new neighborhoods for you.
- Take trips and practice on them whenever you can.
- have patience.
- Y anticipate; learn to see what is missing from your image and look for it around you or wait for it to appear.
- The trick is to find something interesting in an ordinary place.
- work with cameras discreet and of Lightweight:
- The EVIL, the Bridge, the advanced compact…
- and even you mobile phone (here how to improve your photos with your mobile).
- This way you will go more unnoticed and it will be easier for you to move through the streets.
- If you can, get a good prime lens:
- They are more compact, light and above all, luminous.
- The focal range classic for street photography is a 35mm or a 50mm.
- Although if you do not have anything similar, adapt to what you have
- Get ready to walk.
- Go light luggage and with comfortable shoes and clothing.
- Learn to relate with the people.
- be respectful with the people you photograph.
- If someone asks you to remove a photo they appear in, do so.
- Learn about the legal privacy rights according to the current legislation of each place to know what you have the right to photograph and what you do not.
- act naturallyyou’re not doing anything wrong.
- lose the fearmost people don’t mind being in a street photo…
- …as long as your intentions are good and you don’t intend to humiliate anyone.
- Search concurred places to get started.
- Like bus stations, busy street intersections…
- Or people used to having their photos taken in the street, like street artists.
- Learn to hide to get photos spontaneous.
- avoid eye contact after taking the photo and walk away slowly.
- pretend What else are you photographing?
- Learn to shoot from the waist.
- Search different points of view and unusual.
- Chopped: Top to bottom (try climbing a tall building to get new perspectives).
- low angle shot: from bottom to top
- at ground level: try placing the camera at ground level, you will be surprised by the results.
- Photography through the crystals playing with the dimensions it gives you (behind, reflection and outside).
- Take advantage of the atmospheric singularity that bad weather provides you.
- Puddles, drops of water on the windows, colorful umbrellas against a gray sky, footprints in the snow, fog…
- Work on balance in composition through visual weight:
- The contrast: Everything that contrasts by differentiation to the rest, weighs more since it attracts our gaze with greater intensity.
- The size: bigger size, more weight.
- The position: the elements located in the upper partof the frame we perceive them as heavier than those located in the lower area.
- The texture: a rough texture, stands out more to the naked eye than a smooth surface.
- The color: warm colors have greater visual weight than cold ones; we also say that they seem to “come closer” more.
- Take advantage and integrates urban furniture:
- arrows,
- zebra crossings,
- Stairs and lines,
- Bus stops,
- Train stations, signals, etc.
- If you have a camera with manual focuswork in manual, with apertures above f/8 to have a good depth of field and the largest area in focus in the image.
- Learn how to use the hyperfocal distance to get the most out of the depth of field.
- Choose a shooting mode that allows you to control the outcome:
- The manual mode will allow you to control all the parameters of the scene. It takes practice, but it’s the one that will work best for you.
- the mode of aperture priority It will allow you to select a diaphragm opening while the camera compensates with a speed that allows you to obtain a good exposure.
- The speed priority mode will allow you to choose a speed while the camera adjusts the aperture.
- Devote time and energy to analyze, select and delete your photos.
- And to give them a touch of edition basic if you consider it necessary.
- Practice until you get tired
- Find your own style.
- Be daring, don’t be afraid to make mistakes, we are tired of always seeing the same thing :-).
- And, above all, enjoy.
What did you think? Can you already smell the street from here? Well, don’t wait for inspiration to get lost in some corner. Go out and take photos, only then will you get closer, little by little, to the photographer you want to be. Oh, and if you liked it, let us know with your recommendation, your like and/or your comments. Thank you very much and until next time :-).