Street photography is a genre that captures candid moments of life in public spaces. It can be challenging, rewarding, and inspiring, but also requires some skills and techniques to improve your composition and storytelling. In this article, you will learn some tips to help you create more compelling and expressive images in street photography.
Before you hit the streets, ask yourself why you want to do street photography. What are you trying to communicate or document? What are you curious or passionate about? Having a clear purpose will guide your decisions on where to go, what to look for, and how to frame your shots. It will also help you develop your own style and vision.
Furthermore, should you encounter any perplexed or confrontational individuals when taking photos, being able to clearly and concisely explain your motives for taking their photo can help allay any potential conflicts.
Agree with Benson Spiers. I see too much "street photography" created by sneaky methods. Hidden. Afraid. And it shows in the work. If you're not willing to engage your subject and learn about who they are, what they are then you shouldn't be pointing your camera. This is gonna make me sound old...but...in my day it was simply called documentary photography and it relied on wanting to tell stories. #mattlitphoto linktr.ee/fotomatt
Let go of the need to create so many perfect images. Take a breath, slow down, and watch what’s happening around you. Then capture the world as you uniquely perceive it!
Street photography is all about being attentive and responsive to your surroundings. You need to observe the people, the environment, the light, and the movement, and anticipate the potential moments that might happen. Look for interesting characters, expressions, gestures, interactions, contrasts, and patterns, and be ready to capture them when they occur. Use your intuition and experience to sense when something is about to happen, and position yourself accordingly.
Herein lies the classic street photographer dilemma: should you hunt or fish? Despite their bizarre description, the way you move and identify subjects will be somewhat defined by these two styles. A hunter is always on the move, scouring scenes as he comes across them, hoping to encounter amusing moments wherever he wanders; while a fisher finds his ideal spot, perfects his composition, and then waits for the right subjects to appear. Neither style is better than the other, it simply comes down to the individual. It is also highly likely that you will alternate from one style to the other depending on the location you find yourself in, the footfall, and how patient you happen to be feeling that day!
The rule of thirds is a basic but effective compositional technique that divides your frame into nine equal parts with two horizontal and two vertical lines. The idea is to place your main subject or point of interest along one of these lines or at their intersections, rather than in the center. This creates a more balanced and dynamic image, and leaves some negative space for the context and the story. You can also use the lines to align your horizon, your perspective, or your leading lines.
As with many photography rules, they are very helpful for optimising composition when starting out. Once you feel more comfortable with your style and setup, you can then use your discretion to discern which scenes merit from precise framing such as the rules of thirds, triangles, or even the golden ratio; and which scenes appeal to you more when placing your subject in the "wrong" spot!
I agree; many of my more acclaimed pictures make an almost-blatantly deliberate usage of the Rule of Thirds. Also, for all my phone photographers; the iPhone has a setting that activates rule of thirds in the camera app!!
Another way to improve your composition and storytelling in street photography is to experiment with different angles and perspectives. Don't just shoot from your eye level, but try to go high or low, close or far, or tilt your camera. This can create a more dramatic, surprising, or humorous effect, and show a different point of view. You can also use reflections, shadows, silhouettes, or frames to add some depth and layers to your images.
Whenever you can give your viewer a unique perspective on an everyday scene, you add intrigue, even if the resulting image isn't pin sharp. In fact, blurry photos can provide nuanced perspectives on objects which we take for granted everyday, particularly when shooting through textured items such as frosted windows, railings, or anything which piques your interest!
Henri Cartier-Bresson was the master, in my opinion. He was a brilliant architectural photographer - though he used the architecture to create visual elements and backgrounds. Whether from high or low or eye-level he fit the choice to tell the best story. And of course, if you have not studied Vivian Maier's work, stop reading this and go now! #mattlitphoto.com linktr.ee/fotomatt
Street photography is not only about the people, but also about the place and the time. To tell a more complete and engaging story, you need to include some context in your images. This can be the background, the foreground, the details, the colors, or the mood of the scene. The context can help you set the tone, convey the emotion, or reveal the culture of your subject and location. It can also create a sense of scale, contrast, or connection.
Showing more of the environment around your subject really improves the storytelling aspect. But be mindful of making it a meaningful inclusion. Is it textures and colors that bring more interest and mood, or more area and sky above give scale and emotion, or even isolation that increases emotions and feelings? A well included environment can tell your viewers of gritty depression, troubled times, sunny optimism, feelings of love and so much more in a single, impactful image.
The final tip to improve your composition and storytelling in street photography is to edit and curate your work. Editing means selecting, cropping, adjusting, and enhancing your images to make them more appealing and consistent. Curating means organizing, grouping, and presenting your images in a way that makes sense and tells a story. You can use themes, sequences, captions, or titles to create a narrative and a message. Editing and curating can help you refine your style and vision, and showcase your best work.