5 Tips To Photograph On Streets

At one time of my photography life i only did landscape photography. Why? Because you capture no human being but some non-moving, and non interactive subject. I don't have to communicate, or interact with the person to shoot the photograph. Waking up very early in the morning to capture sunrise at the beach side, enjoy the sea breeze and wind blowing off your hair. Combine good use of filter, tripod, and carefully composite your image before the actual sunrise.

However, photographs on the streets mean something completely different. Faces, expression, and interesting moment. You will not have another extra second to think and composite the photo before it gone. This is what distinguish landscape and street photography.
You can't estimate what you will capture on the street".

This shot was taken at Royal Palace @ Bangkok. The cherish expression on their faces weren't fake, they were came from bottom of their heart.
Every trip down to the street is an adventure, knowing when to press your shutter require utmost creativity and experience. Photographing a piece of interesting street life means you don't ask permission from your subject, in order to capture the true form of them (Of course with proper manner). Eric Kim is one enthusiasts on street photography, be truthful, i don't respect the way he take a camera and flash pointed at random people for photograph.

A cambodian kid from nearby village sitting all alone posing for photograph at Angkor Wat @ Siem Reap.
Well, how do i shoot on streets? I realize 5 tips that benefits me most shooting on streets.

1. The smaller camera, the better.
People tend to be scared off when you point at them with a big-bazooka-DSLR-Lens. They feel threatening when you use a long telephoto lens and point at them, and it is very obvious you are photographing them, hence, it isn't candid shot anymore! A point and shoot camera can be a good option for this kind of photography, it bring less attention to your subject. Imagine the situations when you were randomly being photographed on street with DSLR and a small P&S camera.

I waited her to turnaround and look at me after i carefully composites this photograph, and i clicked the shutter.
2. Be more patience.
When you're at a location, don't just shoot whatever thing you saw on the streets. Instead, spend more time watching things surround you and predict what might happen next, your object might walking toward a scene of beautifully lit background; a children walking toward you and beg for your kindness.

When i walked through the Aranyaprathet (Thailand) - Poipet (Cambodia) boarder, she noticed me and begged for $1 from me.
3. To have ethics and manner on the streets.
Sometime it be can interesting to get involve with your subject, to ask question that can answer your curiosity on their action. Understanding the subject to create photograph that create meaning and bring message to others rather than merely snap shots. Thank your subject by giving a nod and smile is utmost important to show respect, if possible, give them a copy of the photograph later on.

These children were shy but curious to see what's in my camera

4. Don't hesitate deciding on a shot.

When it comes to street photography, you don't have time to hesitate, Henri Cartier Bresson summing up street photography with his words "Decisive moment". "It's always better to press shutter when you hesitate", says Eric Kim. You may have missed the decisive moment if you always in doubt. Memory card is the best invention for photographer nowadays because you can shoot as much as you want, and experience a lot different techniques and review the instant result. 

This street lady got angry when she noticed i took a photograph of her, then i apologized and walk away. (Not every Vietnamese are photogenic)

5. Write about your photographs

Take a break from your busy schedule and write something to describe your photographs, recall the moment when you press the shutter, what's in your mind? What draw you to snap the photograph? Explain about the situation, the composite, or the intention of the photographs. It makes you think, and to know what you really want to achieve. 

One of the final and most heard tips is that, "get out there and do more shooting". Its most practical advice you can get from most experience photographers out there. It is like a cycle, when you shoot a lot, you get to practice a lot; and when you get to practice a lot, you tend to understand better on how your camera actually works; Then you get comfortable with your camera, and now you only require little consideration on getting the shot you want despite messing around with camera and afraid to scare or scared off by your subject. 

Well go out and shoot!!

What are your personal street photography tips or experience? Share them by leave a comment below!