ERIC KIM

BLOG

Jazz hands. Hollywood, 2011

5 Fundamental Street Photography Principles

Practical street photography lessons I’ve learned from 2009-2018 (the last 11 years!)

Master the Fundamentals: STREET PHOTOGRAPHY STARTER KIT >

1. Copy photographers who you like!

Jazz hands. Hollywood, 2011
Eric Kim shooting Jazz hands. Behind the scenes photo.

First of all, don’t worry about biting the style or copying other photographers. It’s part of the process, just like how all great artists have apprenticed under other great artists.

My suggestion, don’t worry if you’re copying another photographer: just have fun making photos in a way that suits your personality! Like shoot with a flash (Weegee, Bruce Gilden style), waiting for decisive moments (Henri Cartier-Bresson), or shooting layers (Alex Webb, Constantine Manos, Nikos E).

Nikos Economopoulos : TURKEY. Central Anatolia. 1988.
Nikos Economopoulos, Greece, vertical composition

I would say when you’re starting off, intentionally try to copy photographers whose style you like! Read all their interviews, watch YouTube videos on them and buy their photo books. Treat them like your virtual teacher or guide, and honestly you will naturally grow into your photographic style.

2. You’re not doing anything wrong

Secondly don’t feel any ethical qualms from shooting street photography. Overcoming this false “guilt” is essential to becoming a better street photographer.

Realize that at worst, you’re only “minorly annoying” your subject. Also recognize you’re doing a “net good/positive” to society through your street photography! You’re making photos that help others appreciate the beauty of everyday life, while also uncovering injustice in the world.

So if you have good intentions in street photography, ignore what any critics or nay sayers may say about you and your work!

3. Shoot 25% more than you think you should!

Martine Franck contact sheet

Third, shoot a lot! If you see a good scene, you’re probably only gonna see it that way once in your life.

Work the scene from different angles, perspectives and views. Take a step closer, take a step back. Wait a second before clicking the shutter again. Wait for the subjects to move around more, and get a better angle.

4. Start with monochrome

Start off shooting in black and white to master simplicity and minimalism. Move onto color once you feel like you’ve mastered black and white.

Black and white forces us to focus on composition, framing, and mood. Color is more difficult than black and white because of the additional variables of color.

Start off studying Josef Koudelka, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Richard Avedon. Then move into color: Martin Parr, Alex Webb, Constantine Manos.

See all the masters of photography >

5. For more meaningful work, work on photography books and projects

Single photos that get lots of likes on social media are good, but working on a long term photography project that’s personally meaningful is better.

For example I’ve been working on my SUITS project from 2011-2016, and I feel so much gratitude and meaning from the project. Same goes for my ONLY IN AMERICA series (2011-2016).

Processed with VSCOcam with a6 preset
Bank of America and old-school car. Boston, 2018. RICOH GR II

Projects may seem daunting, but just find a project you’re interested and passionate about, and trust me — the time will fly by!

Conclusion

Marseille, 2013. Kodak Portra 400, 35mm format.

Street photography is to me, the best form of photography. Open, democratic, fun, challenging, difficult and endlessly fascinating.

I feel like I can shoot street photography my whole life and barely scratch the surface.

So friend, aim to shoot street photography your whole life. Always seek to push yourself, challenge yourself, take bigger risks, and more dynamic compositions.

Don’t forget to have fun, and shoot until your dying day!

NEVER STOP SHOOTING,
ERIC

CONQUER YOUR FEARS AND MEET NEW PEERS at ERIC KIM EXPERIENCE >

STREET PHOTOGRAPHY 101

Black and white dark skies over Tokyo eric kim street photography

If you’re new to street photography, start here:

Master Street Photography

STREET PHOTOGRAPHY STARTER KIT: Everything You Need to Master Street Photography.

Never Stop Shooting


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 Ideas

cyan pink composition istanbul

Street Photography Techniques

JUST SHOOT IT. HENRI NECK STRAP by ERIC KIM

ERIC KIM x HENRI NECK STRAP
ERIC KIM x HENRI NECK STRAP

See HENRI NECK STRAP on AMAZON >

Street Photography Articles

Mad men. NYC, 2017. Pentax 645Z

Street Photography Composition Techniques

STREET NOTES.

STREET NOTES MOBILE EDITION x RICOH GR II
STREET NOTES MOBILE EDITION x RICOH GR II

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

LEARN FROM THE MASTERS by HAPTIC

Timeless wisdom from the masters of street photography.

Learn more about MASTERS >

Buy MASTERS on Amazon >

FUNDAMENTALS OF STREET PHOTOGRAPHY

elegance, seoul, 2009 Eric Kim street photography

Street Photography Inspiration

eric kim street photography marseille kodak portra 400 sunbather beach

Beginner Street Photography Articles

eric-kim-street-photography-color-chroma-1

Get started in street photography:

Definitions in Street Photography

How to Shoot Street Photography

Street Photography Equipment

Tokyo Eric Kim rain umbrella

See all equipment articles >

How to Conquer Your Fears in Street Photography

See all articles to conquer your fears >

Intermediate Street Photography Articles

eric-kim-street-photography-color-chroma-19

Take your street photography to the next level:

Advanced Street Photography Articles

eric-kim-street-photography-suits-color-kodak-portra-400-2

Find deeper meaning in your street photography:

Street Photography Tips & Technique

laughin-lady-contact-copy

Learn how to shoot on the streets:

See all street photography tips and techniques >

Street Photography Guides

tokyo-eye-eric-kim-street-photography-contact-sheet-0000545

In-depth guides on street photography:

Street Photography Equipment

0-eric-kim-street-photography-sweat-downtown-la

The best equipment for street photography:

See all equipment articles >

Street Photography Editing and Workflow

How to Start a Street Photography Project

Learn From the Masters of Street Photography

MASTERS PROTOTYPE by HAPTIC

“He without a past has no future.”

Start here:

  1. Why Study the Masters of Photography?
  2. Great Female Master Photographers
  3. Cheat Sheet of the Masters of Photography
  4. 100 Lessons From the Masters of Street Photography
  5. Beginner’s Guide to the Masters of Street Photography
  6. Download All Articles >

The Masters of Photography

Prague, 1968. Josef Koudelka / Magnum Photos
Prague, 1968. Josef Koudelka / Magnum Photos

Classics never die:

Free Downloads

See all free downloads >

Free Street Photography Books

eric-kim-street-photography-only-in-america-14

Distilled information on street photography:

For more resources on photography, Start Here >

ERIC KIM NEWSLETTER

Free motivation:


HENRI NECK STRAP (MARK III)

HENRI NECK STRAP MARK III

SHOOT FEARLESS >

HAPTIC INDUSTRIES

CREATIVE TOOLS TO EMPOWER YOU.

HAPTIC INDUSTRIES on AMAZON >

ERIC KIM WORKSHOPS

Conquer your fears and meet new peers:

JOIN ARS: The Anti-Social Social Media for Photographers

What do people really think about your photos? ARSBETA.COM