10 Tips For Successful Street Photography

The lomography range are practically built for street photography. Most of the cameras (well excluding the 120 cameras) are small and can be slipped in to your pocket or bag with ease.

Because of this great advantage I decided to compile a list of things that will help you to advance your street photography and help you to capture that perfect moment!

1. Always Carry Your Camera.
Imagine seeing that perfect moment in time, that perfect composition and then realising that you forgot your camera? Tough break right? Well not if you get into the habit of taking your camera EVERYWHERE with you. And I mean everywhere. Consider all the opportunities that could arise at Parties, the pub, collage, in town, on the bus or in the local market. You really can’t afford not to take your camera anywhere if you want to advance your street photography, and capture those classic moments. Learn to put it in your pocket or bag before you leave the house. I take my Holga out everywhere now.

2. Be Aware of your surroundings!
One of the most interesting things I’ve found since I’ve started getting really in to photography is that you suddenly need to become a lot more observant. Look all around you whenever you walk, most importantly look above you. I live in quite a cultured town and recently I walked around trying to find new things that I hadn’t seen before. I was amazed to find that the majority of them were above eye level.

3. Always Carry Spares
Always carry spare film, batteries and even cameras if you have the room. You never know when you are going to be caught off guard. Be prepared for the unexpected so that your never left wishing you had remembered that pack of double AA’s.

4. Don’t be afraid.
Don’t be afraid to look like a tourist when your out and about in your local town. Who cares if someone shouts abuse or gives you a funny look. That frame you just took might earn you a few £100 at your local art gallery.

5. Be inconspicuous (but don’t look like a stalker!)
You’ve all heard of shoot from the hip right? Well it can certainly drum up some interesting images, and whats more it allows you to get that natural feel because people’s attention isn’t attracted to your camera.

6. Keep Your Camera Close
The amount of times Ive seen a situation occur but its happened so quickly that my hand is only just inside my bag is irritating to say the least. I’ve recently been training myself to be quick with my camera and keep it in my hand when I think something of interest may occur. I suggest either doing the same or botching together some kind of strap for your camera. (I don’t have one for the holga.) Valuable seconds can be saved if you can get that camera into position quickly. remember you don’t have to even get it to your face because most of the viewfinders are useless!

7. Find Hot Spots
There are many areas around your town that will be hot-spots for interesting photographs. Bus stations, markets and busy shopping areas will consistently bring up interesting situations just because there is a lot happening. Be aware of these areas and make frequent trips to them, keep your camera close and wait for the opportunity to strike!

8. Know Your Laws
Different areas have different rules about street photography, so be aware of them before you head out. This is mainly for your own protection, so you can defend yourself. I know that you can’t include peoples faces in images if you are going to publish them, without the persons permission (United Kingdom) As for America I believe you can pretty much do what you want which is nice!

9. Look at other peoples work, Get inspired!

Looking at other peoples photography from the street can really help to open your eyes. Henri Cartier-Bresson is one photographer that has taken some excellent street photography, including the picture below. Ransom Riggs also made an excellent blog post about his street photography. Be careful though, you need to also try and concentrate on creating your own style. Get inspired but don’t copy, thats my advice!

10. Practice

Yeah it sounds boring i know, but the best way to get very good at capturing the best moments are to get out and take lots of photographs. Practice getting your camera out quickly, learn to read when things are about to happen. Make photography part of your life and show others what it is that you see through your lens! If you have any other tips then please leave a comment below! I am always looking to expand the community and leaving a coment on any post is a great way to help.