Why You Should Get Close in Street Photography
“If your pictures aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough.” – Robert Capa
Getting closer is a fundamental principle in street photography that can transform your work. By stepping in and embracing proximity, you’ll create images with more impact, authenticity, and raw energy. Here’s why getting close is key to elevating your street photography.
Impact is Important
The best street photographs are those that make a lasting impact. When you get closer to your subjects, you fill the frame in a way that creates intimacy. A filled frame doesn’t mean cramming a million elements into one image—it means including just enough to leave a strong impression on the viewer.
Why Get Close?
- Fill the Frame: A closer perspective brings out the details that capture attention.
- Create Connection: Proximity allows the viewer to feel like they’re part of the moment.
I’ve always found that when I get close, my photographs resonate more deeply. It makes the viewer feel connected to the scene, as if they’re right there in that fleeting moment.
Be Authentic
“Authenticity is important in street photography.”
Getting closer to your subjects encourages an open and honest approach to making photographs. You don’t want to be that person hiding across the street with a telephoto lens, zooming in on strangers. Instead, be in the heat of the action, showing what life was like in that exact moment. Being close allows you to capture life as it unfolds, with an authenticity that is hard to achieve from afar.
Why Authenticity Matters:
- It builds trust with your subjects.
- It ensures your photographs feel genuine and unposed.
- It aligns with the spirit of street photography—documenting life up close.
By closing the distance, you become a participant in the scenes you’re capturing, not just a distant observer.
Raw Energy
“Street photographs that evoke raw energy are powerful.”
There’s a certain energy that comes from photographing up close—a rawness that captures the life and pulse of the street. To create images that feel dynamic and alive, you need to get in close to your subjects.
Capturing Raw Energy:
- Focus on details: People’s gestures, the movement of hands and feet, the gaze in their eyes.
- Capture the tension: Close proximity allows you to photograph those subtle, powerful moments that convey emotion.
Getting close allows you to hone in on the little things that make a moment special. It’s in these details that the true energy of a scene comes through.
Connect with People
“By getting close to your subjects, you can connect with people on a new level.”
One of the most rewarding aspects of getting close in street photography is the opportunity to connect with people. Don’t let the fear of rejection hold you back—instead, embrace it! Be playful and engaging on the street. Sometimes, it’s worth starting a conversation to get closer to the moments you want to capture.
Benefits of Connecting with Strangers:
- Build rapport with your subjects.
- Create photographs that are more personal and emotionally rich.
- Return home not just with successful images, but with shared memories and stories.
You don’t always have to be a fly on the wall. By interacting with the people you photograph, you bring a human touch to your work that’s difficult to achieve from a distance.
Conclusion: Embrace Proximity for Better Photos
Getting closer in street photography isn’t just about physical distance—it’s about creating images that connect, engage, and resonate. By embracing proximity, you’ll capture the essence of a moment, with all its energy and emotion. So, take a step forward, hold your camera with confidence, and close the gap between you and your subjects. The results might surprise you, and you’ll walk away with better photographs, new experiences, and perhaps even a few new friends.
Happy shooting, and remember—sometimes the best photos are just a little bit closer.