I know few photography fans who have not been interested at some point in urban photography or Street Photography. But when it comes down to it, the truth is that getting these images of interesting strangers on the street gives us some reservations. We left enthusiastic, camera in hand, full of energy, positivism and security, wanting to get a few memorable images, but the truth is that as the minutes go by we deflate until we are just a shadow of the confident person we were moments before... Does it ring a bell? Well, like everything, it's a matter of effort seasoned with a few tricks that can be useful to you ? .
1. CHOOSE AND STUDY THE PLACE PREVIOUSLY
To start losing your fear, it is usually a good option to choose places with a large influx of people . There it will be easier for you to mistake yourself for a tourist and pretend to be clueless, blending in with the crowd. Try it in the tourist places in your area, metro or train exits, commercial street corners, etc. Once you feel safe, you can progressively look for more interesting and lonely places.
2. LEARN TO KNOW THE SEMI-MANUAL MODES OF YOUR CAMERA
Do not limit yourself to photographing automatically, since this will be the camera that makes the decisions and not you. If you really want photography to be yours, with all its virtues and defects, it is best to practice with aperture or speed priority depending on the results you want to obtain. If it is a scene with a constant light, you can also dare in manual. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain ?
3. WORK WITH MEDIUM FOCAL LENGTHS (50MM) OR LESS
If you are terrified of having to get so close to people, try starting with longer focal lengths and each foray you make force yourself to lower it a bit. Surely you have a zoom that allows you to vary the focal length. Do something like this:
- Day 1: I die of shame. Focal point 100mm.
- Day 2: I have seen that there is light at the end of the tunnel, yesterday I took a few photos and nothing unpleasant happened to me, on the contrary. Focal point 80mm.
- Day 3: Little by little it seems that I am gaining confidence, I feel safe and wanting more. Focal point 70mm.
- Day 4: This is my thing, it seems that I'm getting the hang of it. Focal point 50mm.
- Day 5: Well, there is no stopping me, I am a true Doisneau. Focal point 35mm.
- The team: The more discreet the better. No tripod, flash, reflectors, spotlights, etc. Take only the essentials.
- You: Try not to look like a National Geographic photographer in the savannah ;-).
- Learn to shoot from the waist . In addition to being discreet, it will give you interesting points of view.
- Practice with your poker face.
- Avoid eye contact. We all realize if someone looks at us insistently.
- Show that you photograph something else…
- Or that you fiddle with your camera settings.
- And above all, don't be nervous, that's the most indiscreet thing you can do ?
- Smile : It works better than you would imagine and many times it "saves" you from having to explain yourself.
- Take a prepared and memorized speech with you in case someone asks you for explanations. Why do you do what you do, why do you do it, if you are going to publish it somewhere, if it is a school project, etc.
- Always be polite and respectful .
- Be empathetic . Don't do to others what you don't want them to do to you.
- If someone asks you to delete their image, do so. Although you can try to show him the image and offer to send it to him by e-mail so that he sees that there is nothing wrong with it and thus saves you from having to delete it. It usually works.
- If it doesn't work, delete it. Don't "fight" over a photo, if it didn't have to be, it will be another one ?
4. DO A DISCRETION INTENSIVE
One of the things that we carry the worst and that terrifies us the most is facing bad looks, bad words, having to explain ourselves or seeing ourselves exposed in public. Although that is our main fear, the truth is that this type of situation occurs less often than you expect. Even so, if you prefer to avoid them at all costs, it is best that you learn to be discreet.
5. DO AN INTENSIVE ON EMPATHY AND GOOD MANNERS
If you want to convince someone that you really do nothing wrong, the first thing is to convince yourself. Don't look guilty, you're not doing anything wrong. If you convey that, people will feel much more comfortable with you around.
6. ASK PERMISSION
If you're really uncomfortable with what others might say or think about you, try starting by asking permission from someone who has caught your attention. Tell him why you want his photo: Because you like his hairstyle, because you do a job on beards, whatever you like. Once you see that people are more willing than it seems to be photographed , go ahead and do it without permission, so the photographs will be spontaneous and natural , which is what we are looking for in urban photography.
7. START WITH “PHOTOGRAPHABLE” PEOPLE
In other words, street artists, dancers, acrobats... Anyone who works on the street is usually used to having the occasional photograph taken of them. They are a good reason to start and dust off your camera without feeling so self-conscious. Once you have mastered it, look for "more" interesting and spontaneous subjects.
8. DON'T FORGET BLACK AND WHITE
Street photography fits like a glove. Although of course it is up to taste, because it depends on which images are maintained or not in black and white . Learning to see it takes practice, so if you like monochrome, you already have a place to start ?
9. GIVE YOUR WORK A TITLE
It's easier to find something when you know what you want. For example, you are interested in the activities of the elderly on the street. That's your theme. Or you are fascinated by the dependents of the street stalls. Another subject. Or what fascinates you the most is the face of the people waiting for the traffic light to turn green. Another topic… This will help you focus and get more and better results and not feel so lost in the multitude of possible images that urban photography offers.
10. LEARN HOW TO ADD INTEREST TO YOUR IMAGES
At first it seems to us that everything is interesting and likely to end up being a great photograph. Over time you will become more critical and demanding and you will see that, unfortunately, it is not that simple. Many times it is not only the person you photograph that is “interesting” enough (visually speaking) but you need to learn to look for photogenic contexts , by contrast (old and new, high and low…), by theme, formal, etc.
11. STUDY THE OLD MASTERS AND THE NEW ONES
Soak up his style, his good work, decide what you want to do and why, what is the style that "goes with you" and little by little you will begin to find your own style, your way of doing things.
12. ABOUT LEGALITY
If Street Photography is your thing, before you go shooting like crazy, find out what you can and can't do in your own country. Even more if you go to unknown countries. Make sure you have understood well what you can photograph and what not to avoid greater evils, or at least to be warned of the consequences of your behavior.
13. PRACTICE
Only with practice will you learn to find interesting motifs , to be quick and discreet , to chase the image instead of settling for what's in front of you. Only with practice will you gain confidence , fluency , learn to discern an interesting photograph from a flat and boring one , and improve your composition . The more you practice, the more you'll fill that photographic eye of yours, so eager to learn.
And you know, if you liked it, it has been useful to you and you think that someone else may be interested in this article, please share it on your favorite social network. (Or all at once) Facebook, Google+ and Twitter. Thank you so much! ?
