Street photography is one of the most interesting types of photography around…just think about it…there’s a subject everywhere, and anywhere. On the other hand street photography is one of the most intimidating to get started with. Why? Well, first and foremost it’s essentially taking photos of strangers…and there is something inbuilt in most of us that makes the very act feel intrusive. To give street photography a definition, it is essentially the act of taking photos of public places, events and people as they appear in their natural state. By natural state we mean not staged, spur of the moment, and without any prompting from you the photographer. Despite the fact that it may be a little bit scary to get started with, street photography is one of the best ways to show your viewers the way you see the world, especially if you make use of clever captions for your photos. It’s also one of the easiest types of photography to practice, you can hone your skills while you are out and about shopping or just going from place to place.  

<h4>So here are a few quick and easy tips to start practicing street photography:</h4> 

<h4>Be brave.</h4> 

Street photography is no time for being a scaredy cat. You’ll need to make yourself comfortable with taking photos of strangers. If you are particularly shy, practice first on friends and family. Try to be discreet so that you can get some candid shots without them noticing, and when you feel ready hit the streets. 

<h4>Go somewhere everyone else has a camera too.</h4> 

This is the easiest way to start snapping photos without causing too much of a fuss around you. If everyone else has a camera, people will be less aware that you are pointing the camera directly at them. 

<h4>Shoot inconspicuously.</h4> 

This means first, bring a small camera. People are far more likely to be put off by a DSLR with a big bulky lens pointing at them. Try shooting with a small point & shoot or your iPhone! Street iPhoneography has practically reached cult status, so why not join the revolution? Shoot from the hip if you want to avoid the “holding your camera up in the air” stance. Wear casual clothes that will fit in with the event that you are shooting. If you are shooting with a camera that makes a noise when the shutter is released (such as the iPhone), wear headphones so people don’t know when you actually snap the shot. 

<h4>Be ready.</h4> 

If you spend a bit of time looking for a location to shoot, you can get yourself set up and wait for someone to walk through the frame. In many cases, it will appear as if you are taking a photo of the background and the person who walks by may not even realize they are in the shot! 

<h4>Try different angles.</h4> 

Even though you are shooting people, places, and events as they appear naturally that doesn’t mean you have to take the standard “shoot in front of you” stance. In many cases taking a different angle on a subject will create an interesting composition and make you less conspicuous. Try shooting from above, or from behind. You don’t always have to see a subject’s face to understand the scene or get the full effect of the story. Further to that, try shooting from a car window (when someone else is driving). 

<h4>Ask.</h4> 

If you come upon someone who is fascinating, or who would make a great subject and it’s too obvious to simply snap away, then ask if you can take their photo. If you smile and explain the reason most people will say yes. 

<h4>Be respectful.</h4> 

If you are taking someone’s photo and they are clearly uncomfortable, or state that they do not want to be photographed. Just walk away. There’s plenty of other willing subjects around, go find another one! 

<h4>Remember the technical elements.</h4> 

Even though you may be snapping with a point & shoot or with your iPhone, you should still consider the technicalities of shooting street photography. This goes without saying if you are using a DSLR. You may need to bump up your shutter speed, so you don’t end up with blurry subjects. If you’re shooting on the iPhone why not try out a few burst mode apps, or try continuous shooting, you will get a lot of throwaways but you might just get that perfect shot! 

As you can see, it’s not really THAT intimidating to try street photography. Even if you are a naturally shy person, you can still get some great street shoots. Start off snapping a few photos here and there or if you want to dive right in plan a street photography day. Find a busy place and just do it. You can talk about it all you like, but until you actually do it you’ll never know if street photography is for you! 
