Ofter when i see people engaging in street photography, they often follow a very common path. They pick up a camera, head towards the most crowded location and start
taking so many pictures enough to make them nauseous.
This is surely something to be done but always remember not to according to me you must explore in photography inorder to broaden the veriety of contents that you create. There are thousands and take advantage of for keeping our contents interesting in this genre of photography.
1. YOU CAN PHOTOGRAPH SUPER CROWDED URBAN SETTINGS.
Many photographers such as Lee Friendlander, Robert Frank and Trent Parke started like this, capturing overcrowded spots. Each one of them, growing as individuals as well as photographers, began shooting in less busy areas. Each artist has a peculiarity in their work, they are always somehow recognizable.
Let's set Lee Friendlender as an example: all of his them , slightly disquieting, no matter where they have been taken. It could be in a hotel room, a garden, in the coutryside or in the mesmerizing center of NYC.
STREET PHOTOGRAPHY CAN BE ACHIEVED ANYWHERE.
Great photographers area able to learn quickly how to take increbile photos, even in places that may be considered too "empty". It could be a great learning process going to places where you believe you could hardly find good material and challenge yourself into taking great photographs.
Begin by heading to those places, abandon you comfort zone. It is a great way to build up to being greater.
2. IN THE PICTURE THE MUST BE PEOPLE
OK, NEVERMIND
it is not necessary. St. ph does real with people but this doesn't necessarily mean it has it include them. This type of photography attempts to imitate life, it is not crucial for a person to be in the center of the frame. All you need is to capture unique and interesting moments that have a meaning to them for you as the photographer. There are no rules to follow or yo tthem for you as the photographer.
There are a no roules to follow or to guide you as to how to not put your focus on people in the shots, however, you shoild try to overcome general attitudes trying to give the imagine some sort of meaning and uniqueness. Explore the place where you live, try to explain it and it's essence through photography.
Whenever you can do make people part of your shots, escpecially if this helps you reach your objectives. Never forget to make it special by making it unique. EXPLORE!
OH MY GOD THE LIGHTING IS GREAT!
Hold on to that moment.
A common mistake that photographers commit is that to ruin a breathtaking scenary by adding in the shot people walking by, Often it looks like many are convinced that, that one person randomly passing by makes the pictures awesome..
When really all it does most of the times is cause the shot to look like many others.
If you find a beautiful setting and want to add a person to it, do it, as long as that person gives extra value to the picture. Otherwise, simply capture the scene in it's simplicity, extraordinary just as it is.
3. IN ORDER TO CREATE STREET PHOTOGRAPHY.. YOU NEED LUCK.
..NOT
As a photographer, I am the one thet generates my own luck. In each picture there is casuality. Truthfully, surrounding us there are just so many things happening that we don't even realize. Those well known and famous "lucky moments" are all around us and we usually don't even pay attention to them.
I like to say that the photographer is a great fisherman. Why do I make this simile? Well, in order to shoot a great picture it is crucial both to be able of waiting for the right moment as well as being able to look for it. No matter where you are you will find so many of these moments, all you need is to always be careful so you can spot them. Slowly, maybe not, but surely your eye will develop the ability to detect them.
4. STREET PHOTOGRAPHY PORTRAYS EXTRAORDINARY EVENTS
As soon as they see an individual full of tattoos you can notice they start taking pictures at the greatest of speedz. So, let's start off on the right foot, I have nothing against people with tattoos.. I have them as well. Unfortunately in street photography this can NOT not be interesting. I say unfortunatelly because after a while it is not really something of so unique and original. Street photography can focus on literally anything. It can be colourfull, ordinary, representing everyday life or it can even be cheeky or shameless. Many pictures of this genre portray ORDINARY MOMENTS IN EXTRAORDINARY WAYS.
Getting back on track.
Do not sit down and wait for someone with tattoos, look around you people or scenes that you normally wouldn't pay attention to and then show what makes it interesting.
CARPEDIEM!
5. DO NOT EVER TAKE A PICTURE OF SOMEONE FROM BEHIND, THEY HAVE TO SHOW THEIR FACE!
You know sometimes the gestures, the hands, pose, a certain look or a specific element can represent the most interesting part of a photo. In this case you can even only frame that little interesting element.
It is not always necessary to include a face in a picture especially if that face has no other expression other than boredom.
If it looks good though, capture it!
6. THE DEPTH OF FIELD IS IMPORTANT FOR THE SHOT TO BE EFFECTIVE.
We all have a little something for those complex pictures that show thousands of different levels all together in one single shot. They're simply fantastic.
Truth is, it is not this kind of composition that makes the picture automatically great.
What makes a photograph really great is what's happening and being caught in that exact moment.
You must be able to understand if in a given situation it is better to create a complex image with many many elements or if it's better to focus with one fixed idea. Look for peculiar things around you and when you spot them try finding the best angle to capture them.
7. COURAGE IS KEY IN STREET PHOTOGRAPHY.
There are outgoing photographers and then there are.. those calm, quiet shy ones.
Photography is for whomever loves it!
Not everybody has the courage to show up in front of a person and shoot them.. as in taking pictures, of course.
The advise I feel like giving you as I already said is that to overcome your personal limits and always go for it, get out of your comfort zone and create.
Make up a strategy!
You have to feel comfortable when you shoot, be happy and have fun. Otherwise, where would you find the will to take amazing shots? You need to invest time in it.
You'll have to explore to finally decide how you want your work to look like.
If you want to use zoom then do it, as long as you like pictures taken with telephoto lenses and not because you do not want to get close to your subject.
If you are afraid to get close to them then take a wide angle make it such as it's them coming to you by placing yourself in a strategic spot like maybe one where they pass by.
It is not mandatory to jump in the middle of the scene to capture a good picture.
Give it your all and try understanding how to isolate intetestimg moments and develop your own personal technique and place yourself in the right spot at the right time.
DO THIS AND I PROMISE THAT IN TIME YOU'LL GET BETTER AND BETTER.
Comments