Dear friend,
If you’re new to street photography, or want a quick refresher: here is a quick start to a basic overview of street photography:
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What is Street Photography?
Dear friend, to start: let us discuss what is street photography:
Street photography is the art of photographing people in public places.
For more info, read: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide for Street Photography >
Black and White Street Photography
When you’re starting off in street photography, I recommend starting shooting in black and white.
Why?
Black and White is more minimal, and forces you to focus on simplifying your photos. Shooting black and white will also help you improve your composition, focus, and for you to master the fundamentals of street photography.
Learn more: How to Master Black and White Street Photography >
How to Shoot Street Photography
There is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way to shoot street photography. My suggestion is I hope this section will help spark some ideas on how YOU want to shoot street photography.
Learn more: How to Shoot Street Photography >
Technical Settings in Street Photography
In terms of technical settings in street photography, starting off I recommend shooting in “P” (program mode), with ISO 1600. If your camera doesn’t have this, just shoot fully-automatic. To shoot effective street photos, the most important thing is your technique, approach, and composition.
Learn more: What Are the Best Technical Settings for Street Photography? >
Best camera for street photography
To be upfront, I believe the RICOH GR II is the best camera for street photography.
Learn more: Equipment >
Street Portraits 101
What is a ‘street portrait’ you ask? Essentially asking a stranger to make a portrait of them.
Even if you prefer to shoot street photography candidly and without permission, I think it will benefit you to practice shooting street portraits.
There are different ways you can shoot street portraits.
First of all, you can just ask a bunch of strangers you find interesting to “make their portrait”. I’ve found also by complimenting people, and telling them why you want to make their photograph will make them more open and willing to be photographed.
Also realize that the more comfortable you get shooting portraits of strangers and talking/interacting with them, you will also feel more comfortable photographing strangers candidly and without permission. Why? Just in-case someone gets angry at you for photographing them, you will be able to interact with them, to calm them down.
The best assignment I recommend you to experiment with street portraits is this: the “10 no challenge“. The idea is you just keep asking a bunch of strangers to make their portrait, until you get 10 people to reject you! Therefore my suggestion is try to intentionally look for ‘scary’ people who you think will reject you. This is the quickest way to overcome your fear of rejection.
Learn more: How to Master Shooting Street Portraits >
Conquer Your Fears
I believe street photography is about 90% psychology. To have the confidence to click the shutter, when you feel nervous/afraid takes a long time.
However the great thing about street photography: you can train yourself to conquer your fears.
First of all, it is important for you to ask yourself why you are afraid of photographing strangers. Is it because you don’t like to be photographed yourself, and therefore you assume others don’t like to be photographed? Is it because when you were a child, you were told it was rude to stare at strangers? Were you trained as a child to be afraid of strangers?
Learn more: The Street Photography Code of Ethics >
Also I suggest to ask yourself, “What is the worst-case scenario?” When you understand your own psychology and your worst-case fears, then you can address street photography in a more rational way.
For example, I know for myself, I often fear physical confrontation. Yet, in my experience I’ve found that 99.9% of people never get physical– they always first verbally yell. And also I have realized that it is within my legal right to photograph in public places (without the permission of strangers).
It is your duty to shoot street photography!
Also I’ve realized that it is my duty to photograph street photography! Why? Your duty is to make beautiful images to inspire humanity. Therefore, realize that at worst, you are only ‘minorly annoying’ the people you photograph. You are making photos for the greater good!
BE BOLD,
ERIC
Composition
Dear friend,
Okay, so now you’ve built up your confidence to photograph strangers (either with or without permission). Now the next difficult step: make nice compositions of strangers, with all the chaos of the streets!
To be honest, remember that street photography is probably one of the most difficult genres of photography. Why? To shoot, compose, be nimble, and interact with strangers is very difficult.
My practical suggestion is this: realize that it is very rare that you will make a good street photograph. For myself, every 10,000 (digital) photos I shoot, I probably get 1 photo I like. Street photography is like baseball: the more you swing your bat, the more likely you are to hit a home run!
So my suggestion is this: study composition diligently, and try to ask yourself when you are looking at the composition of other photographers: “How could I make a similar composition?”
Generally a lot of composition is taking risks when you’re shooting, and trying to simultaneously simplify the scene. But often you will discover your best compositions afterwards, when you are at home choosing your best photos.
So realize that composition is also the act of image-selection; the act of selecting your best compositions. Because no matter how good you are as a street photographer, there will always be some luck involved!
And when in doubt,
JUST SHOOT IT.
ERIC
Learn more: Contact Sheets >
MASTERS
Dear friend,
If you want to master street photography for yourself, it is important to study the masters from the past. Why? Consider the masters as your personal guide; your personal mentor.
Personally for myself, I have got so much wisdom and am so grateful for all the work of the masters who have come before me. But at a certain point, you must also ‘kill your master‘; don’t be the slave of your master forever!
Which means: find inspiration and motivation from the masters of the past, but remember that you have the freedom to pave your own path!
BE BOLD,
ERIC
Learn more: Learn From the Masters of Photography >
Editing and Processing
Dear friend,
Realize that there is a difference between ‘editing’ and ‘processing’:
- Editing: the art of selecting your best photos
- Processing: the art of processing your photos into black and white, cropping, adding contrast, filters, presets, etc.
To be honest, 99% of your focus should be on editing (choosing your best photos), and only 1% of your efforts on post-processing your photos.
Learn more: Adobe Lightroom >
Have fun,
ERIC
Photography Projects
Dear friend,
This section will give you some practical idea on photography projects. For myself, I enjoy working on projects because it gives me more focus, and gives me the chance to work on a photography-project which I find more personally-meaningful to myself.
There is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way to work on a project. Whatever project you pursue, make sure it is personal. The more personal you make your projects, the more you will be able to emotionally-engage your viewer.
ERIC
Learn more: How to Master Working on Your Own Street Photography Project >
Motivation
To stay motivated in photography is hard. We are all busy with our families, kids, lives, work, etc. My suggestion is this: treat everyday as a fun opportunity for you to flex your photographic muscles! And remember to keep photography fun, challenging, and interesting to you– and you will never run out of motivation.
Ask yourself:
“How can I keep making photos until I die?”
Learn more: Do You Plan on Shooting Until You Die? >
Never stop shooting,
ERIC
Street Photography 101 >
If you’re new to street photography, start here:
- 100 Lessons From the Masters of Street Photography
- How to Shoot Street Photography
- Street Photography by Eric Kim
Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Mastering Street Photography

Become the best street photographer possible by picking up a copy of Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Mastering Street Photography. This book is full of all my distilled knowledge and wisdom on street photography over the last 10 years, crafted specifically to empower you in street photography.
For more free resources, presets, and PDF visualizations on street photography, join my free ERIC KIM NEWSLETTER to stay inspired and empowered.
Also join ERIC KIM EXPERIENCE if you want to take your street photography to the next level and conquer your fears and meet new peers.
To join a positive and passionate community, share your photos in ERIC KIM FORUM. Look forward to having you friend :)
Street Photography Storytelling
Street Photography Techniques
- Photography Technique: Take Photos While Walking!
- New Tokyo GoPro Fusion POV Street Photography YouTube Videos
- ERIC KIM Street Photography Tips and Technique
- The 360 Degree Technique in Street Photography
- How to Work the Scene in Street Photography
- How to Shoot Layers and the Bookend Technique in Street Photography
- Street Photography Technique: GET CLOSE & FILL THE FRAME + GOLDEN DIAGONAL COMPOSITION
- Street Photography Techniques: The 3D Scan/360 Degree Technique (Shooting Head-on) and Holding Your Camera High in the Air and Point Downwards (and Use Your LCD Screen to Frame the Scene)
- The Walking Alongside Someone and Shooting Until They Notice You Street Photography Technique
- SUPER INNOVATIVE NEW GOPRO STREET PHOTOGRAPHY POV EXPERIENCE: Cutoff Technique, Shooting Head-on with Flash, and Slow-Motion on RICOH GR II at 28mm
- How to Shoot a Street Portrait: Tips, Technique, and GoPRO POV Tutorial
- Street Photography Technique/Composition: Leading Lines and Crouching Down Low
- How to Shoot Layers in Street Photography: GoPRO POV Video Composition Tutorial
- How to Shoot Street Photography with a 24mm Lens
- The Cutoff Technique in Street Photography
- THE CUTOFF TECHNIQUE IN STREET PHOTOGRAPHY: GOPRO POV KYOTO ERIC KIM
JUST SHOOT IT. HENRI NECK STRAP by ERIC KIM

See HENRI NECK STRAP on AMAZON >
Street Photography Articles
- Street Photography is Like Fishing
- Why Do We Feel Nervous Shooting Street Photography?
- Street Photography Philosophy
- Everyday Street Photography
- Why Street Photography?
- Why You Must Follow Your Own Voice in Street Photography
- How to Overcome Guilt in Street Photography
- 5 Dynamic Off-Center Street Photography Compositions
- 5 Night Street Photography Composition Tips
- How to Talk to Strangers
- How to Overcome Fear in Street Photography
- Street Photography Empowerment
- Eric Kim’s Top 30 Street Photography Tips
- How to Shoot Street Photography on a 35mm Lens
- 7 Tips How to Conquer Your Fears of Shooting Street Photography
- Street Photography Lifestyle
- How to Use Tactful Flattery in Street Photography
- How to Conquer Social Anxiety With Street Photography
- Street Photography Secrets Debunked
- 10 Dynamic Street Photography Tips
- The Benefits of Shooting Street Photography
- The Street Photography Manifesto
- My Experience Shooting Digital Medium Format in Street Photography
- Why Do You Feel Guilty Shooting Street Photography?
- Improvise in Street Photography
- Ethics in Street Photography
Street Photography Composition Techniques
- 10 Inspirational Sergio Larrain Compositions
- 5 Henri Cartier-Bresson Photography Composition Lessons
- Street Photography Technique: Overlap
- Street Photography Composition Lesson: Chunking
- The Fishing Technique in Street Photography
STREET NOTES.

Push yourself out of your comfort zone with STREET NOTES: Mobile Edition.
STREET NOTES PAPER EDITION ON AMAZON >
LEARN FROM THE MASTERS OF STREET PHOTOGRAPHY

Timeless wisdom from the masters of street photography.
FUNDAMENTALS OF STREET PHOTOGRAPHY
- The Psychology of Street Photography
- Fundamentals to Street Photography
- How to Conquer Fear in Street Photography
- Street Photography Secrets
- NEO STREET PHOTOGRAPHY
- Street Photography Lenses
- Street Photography Settings
- Street Photography Techniques
- Street Photography Ideas
- CLOSER.
- CLEAN BACKGROUND
Street Photography Inspiration
- How to Enter the Street Photography Zone
- Simple Street Photography Tips
- How to Defuse Confrontations in Street Photography
- How to Make Controversial Street Photographs
- Street Photography Project Ideas
- How to Make Good Street Photos
- Is Defining “STREET PHOTOGRAPHY” a Good Thing?
- STREET PHOTOGRAPHY “RULES” TO BREAK
- Walking Meditation in Street Photography
- 10 COMMANDMENTS OF STREET PHOTOGRAPHY
- Street Photography is Improvisation
- In Praise of Randomness in Street Photography
- How to Become a Fearless Photographer
- How to Make Better Street Photographs
- 12 ERIC KIM Street Photography Assignments
- Meaningful Street Photography
- 25 Street Photography Tips by ERIC KIM
Beginner Street Photography Articles
Get started in street photography:
Definitions in Street Photography
- Visual Sociology Street Photography
- Why Street Photography?
- What is Street Photography?
- Why Shoot Street Photography?
- The History of Street Photography
How to Shoot Street Photography
- How to Shoot Street Photography
- Street Portraits 101 by ERIC KIM
- The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Street Photography
- 70 Street Photography Tips for Beginners
- 15 Street Photography Techniques and Tips
- A Letter to My 18 Year Old Self: If I Started Street Photography All Over Again
Street Photography Equipment
- What is the Best Camera for Street Photography?
- What is the Best Lens for Street Photography?
- What to Consider When Buying a Camera
How to Conquer Your Fears in Street Photography
See all articles to conquer your fears >
Intermediate Street Photography Articles
Take your street photography to the next level:
- How to Become a Stoic Street Photographer
- The 10 Principles of Good Street Photography
- 7 Tips How to Capture “The Decisive Moment” in Street Photography
- The Importance of Social Skills in Street Photography
- The Street Photography Code of Ethics
- “Taking” vs “Making” Photos in Street Photography
- Follow Your Gut in Street Photography
- 10 Reasons Why You Should Never Chimp While Shooting Street Photography
Advanced Street Photography Articles
Find deeper meaning in your street photography:
- How to Master Street Photography
- How to Be a Zen Street Photographer
- Personal Street Photography
- The “Bookend” Technique in Street Photography
- Street Photography is Self-Therapy
- Zen in the Art of Street Photography
- Taoism and Street Photography
- How to Find Your Style in Street Photography
- Follow Your Gut in Street Photography
Street Photography Tips & Technique
Learn how to shoot on the streets:
- 70 Street Photography Tips for Beginners
- 15 Street Photography Techniques and Tips
- Flash Street Photography Guide
- Take More Risks
- Don’t Think About Composition When You’re Shooting Street Photography
- 7 Tips How to Capture “The Decisive Moment” in Street Photography
- 7 Tips How to Make a Great Street Photograph
- Tokyo Street Photography Contact Sheets
- Video: Why it is Important to “Work the Scene” in Street Photography
- Shoot Less, Better
- Make Shitty Photos
- Shoot Effortlessly
- 10 Tips for Candid Street Photography
- 103 Lessons I’ve Learned From Street Photography
See all street photography tips and techniques >
Street Photography Guides
In-depth guides on street photography:
- How to Shoot Candid Street Photography
- How to Shoot Street Portraits with Permission
- How to Shoot Black and White Street Photography
- How to Shoot Color Street Photography
- How to Shoot Street Portraits with Permission
- How to Shoot Layers in Street Photography
- How to Shoot Urban Landscapes
Street Photography Equipment
The best equipment for street photography:
- What is the Best Camera for Street Photography?
- What is the Best Lens for Street Photography?
- Why I Love Cameras with Non-Interchangeable Lenses
- The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide for Cameras in Street Photography
- What to Consider When Buying a Camera for Street Photography
- In Street Photography, The Smaller the Camera, the Better
- Why Sharpness is Overrated in Street Photography
- How to Shoot Street Photography on a DSLR
Street Photography Editing and Workflow
- Video: Introduction to Editing, Processing, and Workflow in Lightroom
- How to Edit (Choose Your Best Photos) in Street Photography
- How Studying Contact Sheets Can Make You a Better Street Photographer
- Debunking the “Myth of the Decisive Moment”
How to Start a Street Photography Project
- Free E-Book: The Street Photography Project Manual
- How to Start Your Own Street Photography Project
- How to Come Up With a Personal Photography Project Idea
Learn From the Masters of Street Photography

“He without a past has no future.”
Start here:
- Why Study the Masters of Photography?
- Great Female Master Photographers
- Cheat Sheet of the Masters of Photography
- 100 Lessons From the Masters of Street Photography
- Beginner’s Guide to the Masters of Street Photography
- Download All Articles >
The Masters of Photography

Classics never die:
- Alfred Stieglitz
- Alec Soth
- Alex Webb
- Alexey Brodovitch
- Anders Petersen
- Andre Kertesz
- Ansel Adams
- Araki
- Blake Andrews
- Bruce Davidson
- Bruce Gilden
- Constantine Manos
- Daido Moriyama
- Dan Winters
- David Alan Harvey
- David Hurn
- Diane Arbus
- Dorothea Lange
- Elliott Erwitt
- Eugene Atget
- Eugene Smith
- Fan Ho
- Garry Winogrand
- Gordon Parks
- Helen Levitt
- Henri Cartier-Bresson
- Irving Penn
- Jacob Aue Sobol
- Jeff Mermelstein
- Joel Meyerowitz
- Joel Sternfeld
- Josef Koudelka / Part 2
- Josh White
- Lee Friedlander
- Lisette Model
- Magnum Contact Sheets
- Magnum Photographers
- Mark Cohen
- Martin Parr
- Martine Franck
- Mary Ellen Mark
- Rene Burri
- Richard Avedon
- Richard Kalvar
- Robert Capa
- Robert Frank
- Saul Leiter
- Sergio Larrain
- Sebastião Salgado
- Shomei Tomatsu
- Stephen Shore
- The History of Street Photography
- Todd Hido
- Tony Ray-Jones
- Trent Parke
- Vivian Maier
- Walker Evans
- Weegee
- William Eggleston
- William Klein
- Zoe Strauss
Free Downloads
Free Street Photography Books
Distilled information on street photography:
- STREET PHOTOGRAPHY MANUAL by ERIC KIM
- The Art of Street Photography
- 100 Lessons From the Masters of Street Photography
- Street Photography Contact Sheets
- Street Photography 101
- Street Photography 102
- Film Street Photography Manual
- The Street Photography Composition Manual
- The Street Portrait Manual
- 31 Days to Overcome Your Fear in Street Photography
- Zen in the Art of Street Photography
For more resources on photography, Start Here >