cindy los angeles high angle

Dear friend,

A simple technique to make more photos: take photos while walking!

eric kim los angeles photography 2018-1069116

The basic idea is this:

Sometimes we over-complicate photography, and try to make too perfect compositions. We agonize about framing and composition, and spend too much time in one spot, instead of quickly/effectively taking several photos of a scene, and moving on.

So as a basic idea, try this out:

Take photos while walking.

You can do this in many different ways. You can do this in street photography: photograph your subjects while they are walking (or while you’re walking and they are stationary), or while BOTH you and your subject are both walking.

eric kim street photography tokyo 2018-1057118

The benefits of taking photos while you’re walking/moving is this:

Your photos will be more dynamic: with more energy and movement.
You will randomly make interesting compositions: Sometimes the randomness of movement is good for photography.
You keep moving: I love street photography because it lets me walk/move more. And the more you move and walk, the more photo-opportunities you will continue to find/discover.

Tip: Hold your camera high in the air, and point downwards

As a composition tip, while walking alongside your friend/partner/subject: hold your camera high in the air, and point downwards, and frame using your LCD screen. Try to simplify your background and the edges of the frame:

eric kim photography Cinematography composition - cindy nguyen - miss step-1056976

Tip 2: Don’t overlap elements in the background

LA Urban landscape, shot on phone while walking and Processed with VSCO with a6 preset

Another idea: when you’re shooting while walking/moving, try to separate your subjects/elements in the background. For example when shooting urban landscapes, don’t have the telephone poles and buildings overlap. Add a little negative space in-between them.

Tip 3: It is all about timing

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When you’re trying to move and walk and frame at the same time, treat it like a first person shooter video game. Try to aim, frame, compose, and simplify your background all at the same time. Like a good shooter video game: it is all about nailing your timing.

Tip 4: Blur is OK

eric kim street photography tokyo lumix 2018 - CHROMA-1046301

There is too much obsession over sharpness and focus in photography. Motion blur is fine and often adds more energy to your shot! So if you get blur in photos, treat it like a ‘beautiful mistake’.

Tip 5: Get close

eric kim street photography tokyo lumix 2018 - CHROMA-1045774

Get closer to your subjects. The closer you get to your subjects, the more intimate your photos, and the more emotion/soul they will have.

Learn more: 15 Tips How to Get Closer in Street Photography

Videos of me shooting street photography while walking

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