{"id":775,"date":"2010-09-09T20:50:13","date_gmt":"2010-09-10T00:50:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=775"},"modified":"2010-09-30T04:09:16","modified_gmt":"2010-09-30T08:09:16","slug":"101-things-i-have-learned-about-street-photography","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2010\/09\/09\/101-things-i-have-learned-about-street-photography\/","title":{"rendered":"101 Things I Have Learned about Street Photography"},"content":{"rendered":"

In lieu of the popularity of my last post about the “<\/em>100 Things I Have Learned about Photography<\/em><\/a>,” I decided to make a new list that pertains to street photography specifically. Also if you don’t know, I am currently writing a book titled: “Street Photography 101,” and the excerpts are being posted <\/em>here<\/em><\/a>. This new list is a homage to the Street Photography 101 book that I am writing.<\/em><\/p>\n

Note that there is some overlap of some of these points with the previous list that I wrote, but I thought it may be essential for new-readers to note. Also, feel free to critique, comment, and share this list with anybody you want. I would love to hear your feedback. <\/em><\/p>\n

\"101<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

1. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t worry about the camera so much, just take the damn photo.
\n2. Ditch the zoom lens and screw on some primes
\n3. Carry your camera gear in a messenger bag \u00c2\u00a0(it makes your camera & lenses easier to access).
\n4. Go for the candid look.
\n5. Go for the shock factor.
\n6. Smile often.
\n7. When shooting from the hip, your first 1000 shots will be terrible.
\n8. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t make eye contact with your subjects when trying to be discrete.
\n9. Imagine that the world is your stage and people are your actors.
\n10.\u00c2\u00a0 Feel free to ask people to take their portraits.
\n11.\u00c2\u00a0 Try to refrain from taking photos of the homeless (as most shots can be considered as merely exploitation).
\n12.\u00c2\u00a0 Crouch when taking your shots, it often makes for more interesting photos.
\n13.\u00c2\u00a0 Get close. Now take two steps closer.
\n14.\u00c2\u00a0 Shoot with an all-black camera with your logos taped up with black tape (to make your camera look more discrete).
\n15.\u00c2\u00a0 Go explore\u00e2\u20ac\u201dserendipity is key.
\n16.\u00c2\u00a0 The less planning, the better.
\n17.\u00c2\u00a0 Ideal exposure for a bright sunny day: f\/16, ISO 400, 320th\/second.
\n18.\u00c2\u00a0 Pretend like you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re taking a photo of something else.
\n19.\u00c2\u00a0 Be respectful.
\n20.\u00c2\u00a0 Change your lenses to re-inspire.<\/p>\n

\""The
"The Conductor" - Downtown Los Angeles<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

21.\u00c2\u00a0 Follow your own style, not trends.
\n22.\u00c2\u00a0 Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t worry about the fear of shooting in public. It will go away over time.
\n23.\u00c2\u00a0 In my 4 years of street photography, I have only had two people to ask me not to take a photo of them. (Your experiences will most-likely be similar)
\n24.\u00c2\u00a0 Most people like getting their photo taken.
\n25.\u00c2\u00a0 If a policeman asks you to delete a photo, tell him that you know your rights<\/a> and refuse to do so. (edit 9-29-10)
\n26.\u00c2\u00a0 There are no rules in street photography.
\n27.\u00c2\u00a0 Always bring your camera with you everywhere you go. EVERYWHERE.
\n28.\u00c2\u00a0 Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t take photos, tell stories.
\n29.\u00c2\u00a0 Limit the number of street photographs you see from the internet. The more you see, the less you will value your own.
\n30.\u00c2\u00a0 You will be called by others as \u00e2\u20ac\u0153weird\u00e2\u20ac\u009d for your street photography. Ignore them.
\n31.\u00c2\u00a0 Look for the beauty in the mundane.
\n32.\u00c2\u00a0 Take photos that make people laugh.
\n33.\u00c2\u00a0 Street photography is best experienced alone.
\n34.\u00c2\u00a0 Constantly experiment and innovate.
\n35.\u00c2\u00a0 Street photography doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t always<\/em> have to be in black and white (although sometimes it does look better).
\n36.\u00c2\u00a0 Grain is beautiful.
\n37.\u00c2\u00a0 Hold your camera with your hand, not your neck.
\n38.\u00c2\u00a0 Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be afraid of offending people. Most likely you won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t.
\n39.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The night is often more vivid than the day\u00e2\u20ac\u009d \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Van Gogh
\n40.\u00c2\u00a0 Some of the meanest looking people can be the nicest.<\/p>\n

\""The
"The Faces" - Paris, France<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

41.\u00c2\u00a0 Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t make excuses. Make photos.
\n42.\u00c2\u00a0 Never delete any of your photos. Some of the technically-off images make the best street photos (think blurry, grainy, or dark images).
\n43.\u00c2\u00a0 Always keep your eyes open for the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Decisive Moment\u00e2\u20ac\u009d.
\n44.\u00c2\u00a0 If you think your photos are boring, they most likely are.
\n45.\u00c2\u00a0 Street photography summed up in one sentence: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I could have taken that photo but I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t\u00e2\u20ac\u009d
\n46.\u00c2\u00a0 The quieter your camera, the better.
\n47.\u00c2\u00a0 Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be sneaky.
\n48.\u00c2\u00a0 Wide Angle > Telephoto for street photography
\n49.\u00c2\u00a0 Everybody in the streets has a story to tell.
\n50.\u00c2\u00a0 Street photography is not just about the photos, but the experiences.
\n51.\u00c2\u00a0 You don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t need to be in Paris to take great street photographs. Your backyard is equally as good.
\n52.\u00c2\u00a0 See life through the eyes of your subjects.
\n53.\u00c2\u00a0 A well-cropped image can often tell a better story.
\n54.\u00c2\u00a0 Juxtapose.
\n55.\u00c2\u00a0 Look for the light.
\n56.\u00c2\u00a0 Go off the beaten path.
\n57.\u00c2\u00a0 Have the mind of a child and wander. This is how you will find your best photographs.
\n58.\u00c2\u00a0 Only show your best photographs. This will strengthen your images.
\n59.\u00c2\u00a0 If someone says that you are \u00e2\u20ac\u0153really lucky,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d slap them.
\n60.\u00c2\u00a0 The more photos you take, the better.<\/p>\n

\""Gloom"
"Gloom" - Seoul, Korea<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

61.\u00c2\u00a0 Your subjects are people, not prey.
\n62.\u00c2\u00a0 Spread the love of street photography with your friends and family.
\n63.\u00c2\u00a0 Less is more.
\n64.\u00c2\u00a0 Get meaningful critique of your street photography from an online community. It will help you tremendously.
\n65.\u00c2\u00a0 Street photographs are subjective.
\n66.\u00c2\u00a0 Look at what other people aren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t<\/em> looking at.
\n67.\u00c2\u00a0 Do not stress over amazing shots that you may have missed. Simply more on and strive to take a better shot.
\n68.\u00c2\u00a0 Create a series or a theme for your street photographs. They will help create a style for you.
\n69.\u00c2\u00a0 See with your eyes, not your camera.
\n70.\u00c2\u00a0 There is no such thing as the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153perfect photo\u00e2\u20ac\u009d.
\n71.\u00c2\u00a0 Timing is key.
\n72.\u00c2\u00a0 You don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have to take a photo of everything. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t feel guilty for just enjoying the moment.
\n73.\u00c2\u00a0 If you are a beginner, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t worry about the settings too much. Just toss your camera on auto mode and go shooting.
\n74.\u00c2\u00a0 Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t look for photo opportunities. Have them find you.
\n75.\u00c2\u00a0 Children cannot see your camera.
\n76.\u00c2\u00a0 If you ask to take a portrait of a stranger on the street, ask them for their email so you can send them their image. (they will love it).
\n77.\u00c2\u00a0 Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t forget to look up and<\/em> down.
\n78.\u00c2\u00a0 No subject is too ordinary to shoot.
\n79.\u00c2\u00a0 Always carry a spare battery and memory card on hand. This has saved my ass half a million times.<\/p>\n

\""Dizzy"
"Dizzy" - London, UK<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

80.\u00c2\u00a0 Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be afraid to push your ISO higher.
\n81.\u00c2\u00a0 Learn how to shoot without using the viewfinder and make it a second-instinct. Thus also\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6
\n82.\u00c2\u00a0 Practice shooting from the hip.
\n83.\u00c2\u00a0 You will never encounter the same shot twice. Now swallow that fact and digest it.
\n84.\u00c2\u00a0 Street photography is a lot like swimming. You have to do it to truly learn it.
\n85.\u00c2\u00a0 Draw inspiration from other photographs, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t steal them.
\n86.\u00c2\u00a0 Street photography is a lot like fishing. Sometimes you catch a whole bunch, sometimes you catch none.
\n87.\u00c2\u00a0 Getting one or two keeps from an entire day of shooting is a good number.
\n88.\u00c2\u00a0 If someone asks you to delete a photo of them, just do it. It isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t worth the trouble.
\n89.\u00c2\u00a0 Be smart: ie don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t go shooting in the hood by yourself at night with hundred dollars worth of camera gear.
\n90.\u00c2\u00a0 Some street photographs just look better in color. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t overlook this.
\n91.\u00c2\u00a0 There are always photo opportunities regardless of where you are.
\n92.\u00c2\u00a0 Less is more.
\n93.\u00c2\u00a0 A street photograph is worth an essay.
\n94.\u00c2\u00a0 Public transportation is a gold mine for street photography. Learn how to use it.
\n95.\u00c2\u00a0 Always keep at least two backups of all your images. Technology is unreliable.
\n96.\u00c2\u00a0 Keep a journal of your shooting experiences. Track your thoughts and development as a street photographer.
\n97.\u00c2\u00a0 Get lost in your photography and lose track of time.
\n98.\u00c2\u00a0 Think before you shoot.
\n99.\u00c2\u00a0 Have fun.
\n100. Live life.
\n101. Just do it.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\""Contemplation"
"Contemplation" - Paris, France<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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