1. Long distance flash
Shoot from a longer distance, around 5 meters, and use a flash.
Some of these shots with film LEICA MP+ 35mm, at f8, Leica SF20, Kodak Portra 400, with flash on full power.
2. URBAN LANDSCAPES: Street photography without people
Show humanity, without including people.
3. Hand gestures
Show emotions via hand gestures.
4. Eye contact
Eyes are the windows to the soul.
5. Street portraits with permission
Engage with your subject, and ask them to make a portrait of them.
6. Decapitation Technique
Chop off the heads or eyes of your subject, to add more mystery.
7. Photograph kids
8. Make happy photos of people smiling
Don’t think all your photos need to be super serious. Smile.
9. Shoot head on
Use a wide-angle lens like a 28mm and don’t shoot from the side. Rather, shoot head on.
10. “The cherry on top”
Find one detail in your photo that makes the photo more interesting to look at.
11. Shooting from the side (oblique angle)
These photos aren’t shot head on, but a little from the side. Crouch down while shooting these photos, to be less intrusive.
12. Shoot indoors
Don’t limit yourself to the streets. Shoot coffee shops, restaurants, or stores.
13. Shoot subways or public transportation
14. Shoot through glass with a flash
This will reduce reflections, and cause your subject to pop out.
Or don’t use a flash, just shoot through the glass and see what happens.
15. Shoot hotel lobbies
You will find interesting scenes in hotel lobbies.
16. Make social/political/economic critique and commentary through your photos
Be opinionated about politics, social inequality, wealth, or your economic views with your photos.
17. Layers and depth
Don’t just shoot one subject. Get very close, fill the frame, and have a foreground, middle ground, and background.
18. Weird juxtapositions
Create a weird image, comparing different uncanny, or uncommon combinations of stuff next to one another.
19. Atmosphere/mood
Transport your viewer into a new atmosphere or mood. Use flash, smoke, fog.
Or shoot a photo in color, that looks like a scene from a film. Shoot at the beach.
20. Dodging and burning
Dodge (brighten) and burn (darken) parts of your frame using the adjustment brush in Lightroom, and reduce and increase exposure on certain parts of your frame to add more drama to the scene.
21. Minus exposure compensation
For dramatic effect with dark shadows, and better exposure, shoot with -1 or -2 exposure compensation.
22. Blur/movement
Either shoot with a flash with a slow flash (1/15th of a second), or shoot without flash.
More movement will add more dynamism to your photos.
23. The decisive moment
A wonderful moment, like a kiss, embrace, or something tender between two people.
Decisive moment means to see a good moment, and be fast enough to capture it.
24. Shoot your subjects as silhouettes
Shoot with the light behind your subject, or use -1 or -2 exposure compensation to create mystery with the silhouette of your subject.
25. Show your own soul in your own street photographs
Ultimately, your street photos are about you — not your subject. Reveal your own soul through your photos, by engaging with your subjects, talking with them, and also choosing subject matter which reveals who you are.
Conclusion
Define street photography for you, never stop exploring. Shoot with joy and fun, like a child.
No rules, no regulations. Only tips, and different techniques for exploring the streets with your camera.
ERIC
ERIC KIM STREET PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS
HENRI NECK STRAP
Never miss the decisive moment, ever again.
Learn more about HENRI NECK STRAP
Buy HENRI NECK STRAP ON AMAZON >
HENRI WRIST STRAP
The timeless wrist strap for street photographers.
Learn more about HENRI WRIST STRAP >
Buy Henri Wrist Strap on Amazon >
Henri Wrist Strap: PHANTOM BLACK.
For the bold and brave.
SAIGON SATCHEL: The Ultimate Street Photography Bag
LEARN FROM THE MASTERS OF STREET PHOTOGRAPHY
Timeless wisdom from the masters of street photography.