Mastering the Art of Street Photography: Essential Tips and Techniques

by

GARY DETONNANCOURT

Photography Educator.

People interested in street photography will have the chance to capture the beauty of everyday life and genuine moments. This type of photography is distinct because it necessitates technical abilities as well as a talent for creating engaging compositions. If you're new to the field or an experienced photographer, the following tips will help you produce stunning and authentic street photography.

Providence, RI. by Gary Detonnancourt

1. Choose the Right Gear:

Street photography is great because you don't need costly equipment to take amazing photos. Even a smartphone, mirrorless camera, or compact camera can work for capturing candid shots. Choose gear that is lightweight, so you can move freely without drawing attention.

• Observe and Blend In:

Being inconspicuous is key to capturing authentic moments on the streets. Observe your surroundings, anticipate interesting scenes, and blend into the environment. Avoid drawing unnecessary attention by dressing casually and using quiet camera settings to avoid distracting shutter sounds.

• Composition is Key:

To take great street photos, it's important to have good composition skills. This means paying attention to details like leading lines, symmetry, patterns, and framing. Also, try to find interesting backgrounds and unique perspectives that will make your photos more visually interesting. Experiment with different angles to add more depth and make your shots more captivating.

• Play with Light and Shadows:

To improve the mood and impact of your street photographs, pay attention to the lighting. Try different lighting conditions, like the harsh midday sun, soft morning or evening light, or the dramatic shadows of urban architecture. Observe how the light interacts with the environment and subjects, and use the interplay between light and shadows to create captivating compositions.

• Focus on Emotions and Stories:

When you do street photography, your aim is to tell stories and capture human emotions through images. To achieve this, search for candid moments that express various emotions like joy, solitude, and surprise, among others. It's important to connect with people to capture genuine expressions that convey the emotions you're after.

• Shoot in Burst Mode:

Capturing the perfect shot on the bustling streets can be challenging. One helpful tip is to use burst mode, which allows you to take a series of quick shots in quick succession. By doing so, you will increase your chances of getting that decisive moment you are aiming for. Moreover, it also provides you with more options during the editing process.

• Experiment with Different Styles:

You can apply different styles and techniques to street photography, including high-contrast black and white, vibrant colors, and minimalistic compositions. Try experimenting with long exposures, panning, or using reflections to create unique images. Continuously push your limits to develop your own signature style.

• Respect Privacy and Ethics:

When taking street photos, it's important to show respect for people's privacy and dignity. You should also be aware of cultural sensitivities and ask permission when needed. Finding a balance between creating interesting photos and being respectful of your subjects is crucial.

• Practice and Patience:

Developing the skill of street photography takes time and practice. The more you engage with the craft, the more adept you become at identifying distinctive moments and refining your technical prowess. It's important to maintain patience, as some days may be more productive than others. Broadening your portfolio and obtaining novel outlooks can be accomplished by exploring various neighborhoods, cities, and cultures.

• Learn from the Masters:

To gain inspiration and improve your skills in street photography, analyze the techniques used by famous street photographers. Focus on their composition, storytelling, and interaction with their subjects to broaden your creativity and develop a critical eye.

Conclusion:

If you want to take your street photography to the next level, these essential tips and techniques can help you improve your skills and creativity. Always keep in mind that the streets provide a limitless opportunity for artistic expression.

How to Make Your Street Shots Pop with the Fujifilm XT3 and Vintage Lenses

Sunset street photography on a footbridge in Providence, Rhode Island. Shot with the Fujifilm XT3 and the Canon FD 24 mm F/2.8

If you are in Rhode Island, check out my local street photography workshops, which are posted on my meetup group called Rhode Island Photography Workshops.

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

If you like the edits in my photos check out my Lightroom Preset Pack below.

26 Black & White Lightroom Presets

$19.99

This digital download includes a zip file with 26 Black & White Lightroom Presets that can be used in the Develop Module of Lightroom Classic or Lightroom CC.

Add To Cart

My First Attempt at Street Photography

I typically shoot with a Canon R5 but I’m just loving the shooting experience with this Fujifilm XT-3 and Canon FD Lenses.

I’ve shot many types of photography over the last twenty or so years and if you look through my website you’ll see that I mostly shoot wildlife, portraits, and some landscapes. Recently I guess I’ve been a little burned out because I haven’t been shooting much at all, of course, that could also be because my life has been quite hectic lately. Things have begun to settle down a bit and I’ve been getting the bug to get out and shoot again.

Canon FD 24 mm F/2.8 on a Fugifilm XT-3

The recent Youtube videos I’ve been watching have been about vintage lenses and street photography, both of which are totally new to me. I thought these two things would probably go great together and I should give them a go.

For the images you will see in this article, I used the 24 mm lens at F/8 and set the focus to infinity and I didn’t have to make any adjustments for all of my images to come out in focus. Not having to focus allowed me to compose and shoot very quickly.

I recently purchased the Canon FD 24 mm F/2.8 and the 50 mm F/1.4 and the Fotasy FD to Fuji X adapter to put them on my Fujifilm XT-3. I also purchased a Canon FD to RF adapter so I could use the lenses on my R5.

I just love the look and feel of these lenses, even though they are from the 80s they feel high quality, and the manual focus experience is buttery smooth. Plus focus peaking on the XT-3 makes manually focusing very easy.

My plan was to visit a local city and to look for interesting locations with good light and hope to capture people moving through these scenes. What I learned was it’s not as easy as it sounds. Finding interesting places in good light with people is quite challenging and fun. I wanted high-contrast black-and-white images but I also didn’t want to lock myself into just one type of photo so I shot raw files and processed them in Lightroom CC on my Ipad.

This was the first image of the day and I liked it because I caught the dog in action and I like the long shadows on the brick.

I’m also new to the whole iPad editing workflow. I like it because you can work directly on the image with the Apple pencil and it’s fun to be able to edit anywhere I want and not have to be tied to a desktop computer. I found that I can do most of what I can do with Lightroom Classic and it’s pretty fast and easy. I also really like that the images as synced to all of my devices through the cloud.

My next image was more inline with what I was looking for, a high-contrast black and white image with an interesting person walking through an interesting place. The gesture he makes with his hand makes the image for me.

If you like the look of the processing in this image, here is the link to purchase this Lightroom Preset, so you can try it out on your images.

I liked this scene because of the colors and leading lines taking you to the Capital building.

This wasn’t my favorited image of the day but I did capture a typical city scene.

I mostly like this image because of the sun star produced by the Canon FD 24 mm lens.

This is my favorite image of the day. I love the diagonal line of shadows leading to the man in the wheelchair. The fact that he is wearing a mask adds a story to the image as the city deals with a lingering pandemic.

This may not be a typical street image because it looks like she is smiling for the camera, but it actually was a totally candid shot.

I’m not really sure why I like this image but I do. I think it’s the balance feeling of the composition.

I walked passed this finely dressed gentlemen and he seemed to be just waiting there ready to pose for a photographer and it may look sort of posed but it was totally candid.

Same shot taken from the opposite direction.

This one caught my eye because of the shape of the tree and the sun star.

This is my second favorite image of the day. I like the juxtaposition of the Indian couple walking past the Native American murial.

At the end of my photo walk I stopped at a coffee shop and I just loved the look of this girl. I think here outfit tells an interesting story.

I hope you enjoyed my first attempt at street photography, I certainly did. This surprised me quite a bit because I’m not big on cities. However, I found the photographic techniques of hunting and gathering to be fun and very challenging.

26 Black & White Lightroom Presets

$19.99

Add To Cart

Vivian Maier the Complete Documentary

Wrtitten and Directed by John Maloof and Charlie Siskel

Cover photo by Vivian Maier.