Street Photography Guide
What is street photography?
This is not necessarily about pictures taken on the street. Street photography is basically an honest portrayal of everyday situations, taken in public spaces such as the train, a cafe or a park. It's about capturing a moment as unadulterated as possible.
What's the best way to go about street photography?
Just point and shoot is not enough; image composition also plays an important role in street photography. The image should always have a clearly recognizable motif, for example, you can use negative space or guiding lines to direct the viewer's gaze. You should try to make the viewer think with his picture or tell a story.
Tips for better street photography
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Look for objects, places or situations that are interesting. Many things we see every day, so take your time and take a closer look at your surroundings.
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Your picture doesn't always have to be pretty. Sure, exposure and ISO should be set correctly, but what matters is that the image piques the viewer's interest.
- As in everyday life, respect and friendliness will get you far, because not everyone wants to be photographed. So if someone asks you to delete their picture, you have to comply with that request, no matter how well done you think the picture is.
- If you don't feel comfortable photographing people on the street, start from a distance. Look for unusual backgrounds, for example, and if you photograph a person in front of them, the background can become the subject.
- Also go out during or after it has rained. On the wet street then beautiful reflections of, for example, neon signs can arise.
Also, people are more focused on themselves and the weather, that also makes it a little easier for you. - A high contrast between light and dark, for example shadows cast by a building, make your image more exciting and can contribute a lot to the image composition. You can use this to bring a person especially into focus.
- Hard geometric shapes combined with a person in the center offer a different kind of contrast. Here the focus is on the architecture, which also triggers feelings in us.
- Not every picture is successful in the end. The best photos are usually the result of a huge amount of shooting. In street photography, there is always a bit of luck involved. Being in the right place at the right time and then also a good image composition. If you take a picture just 2 seconds too late, the pedestrian is no longer in the middle of the street, but almost on the other side. So don't be afraid to press the shutter button.
- Judging yourself is difficult. Get feedback from others. That doesn't mean share it on Facebook and count likes and comments. Get honest and qualified feedback from people you trust.
What times of day are good for street photography?
That's not an easy question to answer. But first of all, there is no perfect time for street photography. Depending on what time or weather you set out, the mood will be different. If you leave on a Monday morning at 8 o'clock, you will meet many people who are on their way to work, for example, and may be in a hurry. But if you go to the same place on a Friday evening, most people are already on weekend and the atmosphere is more relaxed. Of course, this also changes the atmosphere of your image.
What features should the camera have?
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It should be small and light. When you're out and about for several hours with your camera at the ready, it can quickly get heavy. But small and light is not only good because of the weight. Your goal is to capture moments unadulterated, with a large camera you will probably always attract attention.
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Autofocus also plays a big role. In street photography, nothing can be planned or predicted, so a fast autofocus is important to be able to react to unforeseen events...,
- Just as important as a fast autofocus is the ability to take fast burst/continuous shots.
- Nice to have, but not a must, is a silent shutter release. With this, you don't make yourself noticed as soon as you shoot your subject.
Which focal lengths are suitable for street photography?
Fixed focal length or zoom? Fixed f ocal lengths are usually brighter than zoom lenses, which gives them an advantage in low light conditions. Zoom lenses offer the possibility to get "close" to my subject even from further away. Most commonly used are lenses with a focal length between 20 and 50mm. Different focal lengths offer different image looks and also change the way you photograph. A 50mm lens images the subject almost as we perceive it with the human eye. With a wider angle lens, you may have to change your point of view.
Camera recommendations
Ricoh GR III
The camera is available in 2 versions, the GR III with a fixed 28mm lens and the GR IIIx with a 40mm lens. They have a 24MP APS-C sensor and a light intensity of f/2.8. Also on board is an integrated image stabilizer. It is extremely small and lightweight and fits easily in a jacket pocket. What it does not have is a viewfinder, but this can still be purchased as an accessory.
Fuji X100V
The Fuji X100V has a 24MP APS-C sensor and a fixed 23mm lens (35mm equivalent) with a speed of f/2. With it you have the possibility to take pictures without noise. The performance in high ISO ranges is also impressive.
Unfortunately, it does not have an image stabilizer, but it does have a very special viewfinder. It offers the possibility to switch between digital and optical.
Fujifilm X-S20
With 26.1 megapixels, the Fuji X-S20 offers plenty of potential for a crop or two in the shots. At the same time, the X-S20 offers the new autofocus system of the X-T5 and also a longer battery life, which makes the camera even more attractive. Besides all this, the form factor and weight are also important aspects that make the X-S20 attractive for street photography. It has an image stabilizer and also features the popular image simulation for analog film, which many Fujifilm enthusiasts appreciate.
