{"id":94646,"date":"2018-06-13T21:56:37","date_gmt":"2018-06-14T04:56:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?page_id=94646"},"modified":"2018-06-13T21:56:37","modified_gmt":"2018-06-14T04:56:37","slug":"street-photography-101-tutorial","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/street-photography-101-tutorial\/","title":{"rendered":"Street Photography 101 Tutorial"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dear friend,<\/p>\n

If you’re new to street photography, or want a quick refresher: here is a quick start to a basic overview of street photography<\/a>:<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

ERIC KIM WORKSHOPS<\/a><\/h2>\n

\"erickim-laughing-ladies\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Conquer Your Fears and Meet New Peers at an ERIC KIM STREET PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP ><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

What is Street Photography?<\/h1>\n

\"eric<\/p>\n

Dear friend, to start: let us discuss what is street photography:<\/p>\n

\n Street photography is the art of photographing people in public places.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

For more info, read: The Ultimate Beginner\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Guide for Street Photography ><\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Black and White Street Photography<\/h1>\n

\"eric<\/p>\n

When you’re starting off in street photography, I recommend starting shooting in black and white.<\/p>\n

\"eric <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"eric <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n

Why?<\/p>\n

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<\/a>, focus, and for you to master the fundamentals of street photography.<\/p>\n

Learn more: How to Master Black and White Street Photography ><\/a><\/p>\n

\n

How to Shoot Street Photography<\/h1>\n

\"eric<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Learn more: How to Shoot Street Photography ><\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Technical Settings in Street Photography<\/h2>\n

\"eric<\/p>\n

In terms of technical settings in street photography, starting off I recommend shooting in “P” (program mode)<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n

Learn more: What Are the Best Technical Settings for Street Photography? ><\/a><\/p>\n

Best camera for street photography<\/h2>\n

\"eric<\/p>\n

To be upfront, I believe the RICOH GR II<\/a> is the best camera for street photography.<\/p>\n

Learn more: Equipment ><\/a><\/p>\n

Street Portraits 101<\/h1>\n

\"red<\/p>\n

What is a ‘street portrait’ you ask? Essentially asking a stranger to make a portrait of them.<\/p>\n

Even if you prefer to shoot street photography candidly and without permission, I think it will benefit you to practice shooting street portraits.<\/p>\n

\n
\"0-eric <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"ERIC <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"ERIC <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"ERIC <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"ERIC <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
\"ERIC <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"ERIC <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"ERIC <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"ERIC <\/a> <\/div> <\/div>
\"ERIC <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n

There are different ways you can shoot street portraits.<\/p>\n

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<\/em> you want to make their photograph will make them more open and willing to be photographed.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\n

\"dark<\/p>\n

The best assignment I recommend you to experiment with street portraits is this: the “10 no challenge<\/a>“. 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.<\/p>\n

Learn more: How to Master Shooting Street Portraits ><\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Conquer Your Fears<\/h1>\n

\"eric<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

However the great thing about street photography: you can train yourself to conquer your fears<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n

\"eric<\/p>\n

First of all, it is important for you to ask yourself why<\/em> 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?<\/p>\n

Learn more: The Street Photography Code of Ethics ><\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\"eric<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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).<\/p>\n

\n

It is your duty to shoot street photography!<\/h2>\n

\"ERIC<\/p>\n

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!<\/p>\n

BE BOLD,
\nERIC<\/p>\n

\n

Composition<\/h1>\n

\"normal<\/p>\n

Dear friend,<\/p>\n

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!<\/p>\n

\"1<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"0<\/p>\n

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!<\/p>\n

So my suggestion is this: study composition<\/a> diligently, and try to ask yourself when you are looking at the composition of other photographers: “How could I make a similar composition?”<\/p>\n

\"ERIC<\/p>\n

Generally a lot of composition is taking risks<\/a> when you’re shooting, and trying to simultaneously simplify the scene. But often you will discover your best compositions afterwards<\/em>, when you are at home choosing your best photos.<\/p>\n

\"eric<\/p>\n

\"0-red<\/p>\n

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!<\/p>\n

\"dark<\/p>\n

\"0-TOKYO<\/p>\n

And when in doubt,<\/p>\n

JUST SHOOT IT.
\nERIC<\/p>\n

Learn more: Contact Sheets ><\/a><\/p>\n

\n

MASTERS<\/h1>\n

\"Henri<\/p>\n

Dear friend,<\/p>\n

If you want to master street photography for yourself, it is important to study the masters from the past<\/a>. Why? Consider the masters as your personal guide; your personal mentor.<\/p>\n