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10 Street Photography Tips
Practical tips to get you going!
HAPTIC INDUSTRIES: Creative Tools to Empower You
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Product on saleERIC KIM NECK STRAP MARK IIOriginal price was: $ 770.$ 149Current price is: $ 149.
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Product on saleHENRI NECK STRAP MARK IV$ 499
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Product on saleERIC KIM WRIST STRAP MARK IIOriginal price was: $ 850.$ 99Current price is: $ 99.
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Product on saleHENRI SHOULDER STRAP$ 399 – $ 799
1. Clean background
When you’re shooting on the streets, focus on shooting a single subject against a clean/simple background. This will give more attention and focus to your subject.
Bonus points for capturing a hand gesture in the photo.
2. Hold your camera high in the air, and point downwards
If you want to make stronger photos, simplify the scene by shooting with your LCD screen by holding your camera high in the air, and pointing downwards.
3. Entering Shadows
Photograph your subject as they’re entering a shadow, for more surrealism.
4. Hand gestures
Shoot when you see interesting hand gestures. Don’t worry whether your composition is good or not — just respond by shooting!
5. Shoot while walking past people
Shoot street photography in P (program) mode with ISO 1600, and shoot photos while you’re walking by people. Keep increasing your ISO to avoid blur (3200+ is all gravy as well)!
Then shoot as you’re walking by, and you can choose your favorite photo later!
6. Three dimensionality
In this scene, note how everyone is walking an opposite direction— to create dynamic tension in the photo.
Easiest way to do this is find a scene with a relatively clean background, linger around, keep shooting, work the scene, and be patient.
7. Just shoot it
Lately when walking the streets of Mexico City with RICOH GR II and ERIC KIM WRIST STRAP, I’ve been allowing myself to shoot more “randomly” on the streets. This means I don’t think when I’m shooting, I just respond! If I see something that interests me even 1%, I just click! I just shoot it, then figure out what to do with the photo later.
8. Shoot JPEG
The benefit of shooting jpeg is this:
You can shoot more, take more chances, and you have less creative restrictions when shooting.
For example when I shoot RAW, I always hesitate a bit. Why? I know the files are bigger, and thus will take longer to process — which is always a headache.
With jpeg, the photos buffer quickly, they load quickly onto the laptop or iPad, and it speeds up my workflow!
For color, I like shooting with a vivid color preset, maxing out the contrast and saturation. And when post processing, I will adjust the colors and contrast even further — to create a look which is appealing to my own eyes.
9. Don’t only shoot people
Allow yourself to shoot anything you encounter on the streets! Street photography doesn’t require people (although it is often more fun and challenging with people in it).
Allow all elements, colors, and textures on the streets be a visual stimulus for you!
10. No perfect street photos
I’ve stopped caring about what makes “good” street photography (in the eyes of others).
Now I’m only focusing on being creatively productive in my street photography.
I have no more desire to make a “perfect” street photo. Why? Once you have achieved perfection — you have nothing new to aspire towards! We need forgetfulness and naive optimism to continually produce new photos — the source of new creative willpower!
So it seems the last and ultimate tip is:
Never stop shooting.
ERIC
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STREET PHOTOGRAPHY STARTER KIT$ 999
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Product on saleHAPTIC PRESS BUNDLE: Street Hunt, Street Notes, Photo Journal, Film Notes + Free Street Notes Mobile & Street Hunt MobileOriginal price was: $ 96.$ 59Current price is: $ 59.
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STREET HUNT: Street Photography Field Assignments Manual Print Edition$ 19
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I SHOOT STREET PHOTOGRAPHY Artwear$ 29
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STREET HUNT: Street Photography Field Assignments Manual Mobile Edition$ 20
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Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Mastering Street Photography$ 50
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STREET NOTES (Mobile Edition)$ 20
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STREET NOTES (Print Edition)$ 19