My Street Photography Secrets

What’s poppin, people? It’s Dante. This morning I’m looking at my contact sheets, and I actually wanted to share this with you as a free PDF that you can access in the description or via blog post. All you have to do is click on the link, and it’ll take you to all of these contact sheets.

All of the information I’m going to be sharing in this video is for free. I figured I’d share that in the very beginning of this video because I want to empower you as a photographer. I want you to have the information that I wish I had when I was getting started. The idea with this video, and the idea behind sharing this information openly, is that you can improve your photography.

This is for anybody that’s getting started with street photography or even an advanced street photographer who just wants to understand the mindset behind the photographs I made, the reasons why I made certain photographs, and my personal process. Because with more information out there and open in the world, I believe that we can all improve, learn, and grow.

The Spirit of Play

In the beginning of these contact sheets, I have a picture of myself on a real contact sheet that my friend Matthew Wong made of me. I found this screenshot randomly and decided to throw it in. I was beatboxing at a random LAN party in Palestine, in Jericho City. It reminded me of being a little boy and having friends come over. Somebody would bring an Xbox, and then we would system link the original Xbox together so that we could play with more than four people.

We could have eight players on a Halo: Combat Evolved map and play with this system link setup—just like how these youth in a little computer room were playing. I embraced the spirit of play. I embrace this childlike spirit while I’m on the streets.

I think this, to me, is the essence of my process. I do not take myself seriously. I do not take myself like this serious, hardcore, kind of documentary photographer. I’m very loose with my approach.

I’m very playful, and I believe that is my biggest secret to how I’ve made a lot of my photographs over the years. By beatboxing and being playful at the scene, I was able to make lots of photographs in this new community.

Dispelling the Myth of the Decisive Moment

And so, again, I made this document so that you can empower yourself. When I got started, I always looked online for information about street photography, but I found it pretty hard to find useful information. Hopefully, some of the things I’ve synthesized today can be beneficial to you.

One of the first things I believe is important to dispel is the notion of the “decisive moment.” This is the idea where you think of a photographer making a photograph on the streets, and there’s this incredible moment where all the stars align, and you wonder: How did they get that shot? Was it really just that one decisive moment?

“In actuality, most of the great photographs you see have been made with multiple clicks of the shutter.”

By moving your body around at a scene and adjusting your angle and perspective, you can finally arrive at the conclusion of the photograph. My motto when I’m approaching the streets, seeing a scene unfold, and photographing it intensely is simple: shoot first and then ask questions later. Figure out what it all means when you get home and upload the photos to your computer.

Crafting Visually Compelling Photographs

It’s important to know that in order to create these complex photographs that are not only visually compelling, but also emotionally impactful, they must also be:

Compositionally sound
Concise
Legible and readable

These are the elements that allow a viewer to feel the impact of the photograph upon glancing at it.

By analyzing some of the photographs I make, you’re going to see how I achieve this. When I’m photographing at a scene, I make sure to be patient and watch life unfold in front of me. Oftentimes, I don’t leave the scene until the scene leaves me.

Composition as Visual Problem-Solving

When we talk about composition today, I like to think about it as visual problem-solving. I see the world like a visual puzzle. The goal of the photographer is to articulate the world and bring order to the chaos of spontaneity and those weird, unusual moments that often go overlooked on the streets.

As photographers, we become hyper-aware of the patterns in nature and human behavior—whether we’re observing:

The light
The lines, forms, and geometry
The way people move and gesture on the street

These nuanced things become something we’re highly aware of, allowing us to put order to those moments through composition.

Intuition and Shooting from the Heart

In order to make something strong and impactful, you must have sharp visual acuity and heightened intuition. Ultimately, most of the compositions I make come through intuition. As much as I’m looking at the world through my two eyes, I’m shooting from the heart.

The Controversial Tip: Asking for Permission

One of the first bits of advice I have for street photographers—which is extremely controversial in the realm of street photography—is to ask for permission. I believe this is one of the critical secrets in my process that has allowed me to make these photographs.

For example, at this scene, we had a group of young children playing on the sidewalk. Here’s what happened: I was exploring in Baltimore, and I noticed a mother outside of one of the homes with all of her children. They were getting ready to take a bath. The mother was telling me how the children wouldn’t give her a break—they kept playing, they wouldn’t stop moving, and she was having trouble getting them together to take their bath.

The energy at this scene was extremely high, and it required me to be on my toes. After asking the mother for permission, I remained playful at the scene. Through my intuition and dropping to a low angle, I was able to make photographs that captured the essence of the moment.

The Benefits of Asking for Permission

By asking for permission, you can be granted these beautiful moments—moments that otherwise might not happen. Without permission, you may hesitate or fail to press the shutter at the right time. As a street photographer, sometimes it’s best to be fluid with your approach, open to conversation and confrontation.

“We often think of street photographers as flies on the wall—detached observers—but for me, that’s not my process.”

Sharing the Camera

I oftentimes ask for permission, and a lot of the time, I’ll even give the camera to strangers. For example, I handed my Ricoh GR II to the children, and they started taking photos of me. I don’t take myself too seriously as a photographer. My process is visible, playful, and interactive.

Embracing Playfulness in Photography

You know, I’m not a very serious photographer. I really hope that comes across in my process and the way I talk about it. I’m not necessarily this serious, traditional photographer.

I have no problem handing my camera over to children and letting them take photos, too. I’m not shy to ask for permission. For instance, when I zoom in on this particular scene from the contact sheet, there comes a moment where a decision needs to be made about which photograph to select.

Choosing the Keeper Photo

This image here is quite strong and impactful. The reason I selected it as the keeper is the synthesis of elements within the frame. There’s something raw, spontaneous, and visceral in this photograph that the other images lacked.

The keeper photo stands out because of:

The hand raised in the background.
The wonky composition of the boy standing on top of the girl, who is looking down toward my shadow.
The shadow play and the light at the scene.

You can see how the boy’s shadow is cast on the sidewalk, creating depth in the image. The leading lines in the background draw you in, and the separation of the background elevates the gesture. I intuitively dropped low to make this composition. That decision made all the elements come together.

Getting Close: Physically and Emotionally

Going off the last image I shared, I believe it’s important to get close—not just physically but emotionally too. Photograph what’s closest to you. This is a photograph of my grandmother. She’s resting and sunbathing, as she always loved to do.

To me, this is one of my favorite street photographs of all time—because it’s of my grandmother. It makes me smile, despite the fact that it may not be the most flattering photograph. This is my grandmother.

Playing with the Scene: Closeness and Permission

When you’re photographing people you know or those you have permission to photograph, you can play more, you can tinker more. You can even put the camera extremely close to the subject’s face and create intimate photographs.

At this particular scene, I noticed how my grandmother’s hand was blocking the sun as she wore her sunglasses. The red lipstick stood out, as did her red nails, but the real moment was the way her hand rested on her forehead. There was this incredible gesture of her holding her hand up, and her arm created a beautiful shape.

The Process of Intuition and Adjustment

Initially, I recognized this gesture at the scene. I intuitively dropped low and moved closer, observing the photograph unfold in front of me. I made multiple photographs of the same thing, adjusting micro-movements and making small adjustments to arrive at the ultimate photograph.

“Sometimes, you don’t need to show the full face of the subject. By cropping to show only the lips, the photograph can become more mysterious and interesting.”

The Power of Low Angles

In this scene, the low angle was essential. It worked best because of:

The sky in the background.
The way the clouds popped out.
The vibrance in the scene’s colors, including the buildings on the rooftop.

This low angle brought all the elements together naturally, and getting as close as possible made the photograph even stronger. I believe closeness isn’t just a physical thing; it’s an emotional closeness you share with the subjects you photograph.

Emotional Engagement and Time

Spending time at a scene is where the magic happens. You become emotionally engaged with the people you photograph. There’s something more than just putting the camera close to the subject—it’s about creating a connection that gives the photograph both emotional and visual impact.

Emotional Closeness in Street Photography

I think there’s an emotional closeness for me, at least, when I’m practicing street photography. Speaking of closeness, let’s talk about Napoli. At the sea, we see these Pisans pulling watermelons out of the water, their natural refrigerator. They stored the watermelons in the water and then pulled them out, cut them up, and I got to enjoy some watermelon at this scene.

A Joyful Trip to Italy

My brother Julian and I went on a trip to Italy together during the summer, and it was an amazing time. It was one of my favorite trips of all time. Being with my brother, we got to experience our cultural roots as Italians and just enjoy time by the sea.

At that time, I wasn’t necessarily focused on photography—similar to when I photographed my grandmother. I was just hanging out with family, swimming, chilling on the rocks, sunbathing, and enjoying life. I wasn’t specifically looking to make photographs, but I always had my camera with me.

Always Carry Your Camera

One of the most important parts of my street photography philosophy is to always have the camera on you. You never know when these moments will unfold. I’m so thankful I had my camera at this scene.

We spent hours sunbathing, swimming, chatting with locals, and enjoying a beautiful day. It was a joyous day. And I really had a great time making this photograph. I think that’s what shines in the photograph—the joy itself. The photograph becomes a reflection of your joy.

Filling the Frame in Napoli

At the scene in Napoli, I decided to fill the frame by positioning my body and camera at a higher vantage point, looking down at the water. What caught my attention was the gesture of a man peeling a watermelon open. I photographed the entire process: cracking the watermelon, cutting it open, and handing pieces to his friends, my brother, and me.

The man swimming in the background became the cherry on top. This element made the photograph visually compelling. The watermelon formed a beautiful triangle, filling the frame and creating depth. Without the swimmer, the photograph would have fallen flat.

Key Tips for Filling the Frame

Include elements in all corners and positions of the frame.
Create visual depth and layering.
Look for small details in the background that elevate the composition.

By looking at the background, analyzing the swimmer, and noticing these little things, I positioned my body perfectly. Filling the frame makes a photograph much more striking, but it’s important to synthesize the frame so it’s filled yet easily readable. For example, having three subjects and three pieces of watermelon creates a composition that guides the viewer’s eye naturally.

A Journey to Jericho

This photograph is from Jericho and one of the first I made there. At this scene, I was praying in a mosque. My curiosity led me to observe how everyone in Jericho went to the mosque five times a day. During certain times, the streets would be empty, and I wondered where everyone was.

Curiosity led me inside the mosque, where I learned to pray, make wudu, and engage with the community. Eventually, I lived with a Palestinian family for a few months, sleeping on mosque floors and immersing myself in their culture. These experiences allowed me to tell stories through my photographs.

Capturing Stories: The Car Breakdown

At another scene, I encountered a chaotic frenzy of a car breaking down. The men got out and began pushing it uphill. After I prayed in the mosque, they noticed me, invited me to their home, and offered tea and coffee. We spent time on their rooftop, where they were constructing a new room for their brother. This time together allowed me to make photographs that tell a deeper story.

The Beauty of Stories in Photography

To me, the story behind the photograph makes it more compelling. To tell a story with a photograph, you need depth and connection to the subjects. In a visual sense, you create a story by the details you include in the composition, such as the car in the foreground and the mountain in the background.

“The stories we tell with photographs should reflect our life journey—our adventures in the open world.”

My adventure with this group of brothers involved climbing the Wadi Kelp mountain range, driving with strangers, and dancing, singing, and sharing tea at the mountaintop. The beauty of photography lies in the adventure of a lifetime, which is always waiting outside your window.

Photography as a Visual Language

I approached this day playfully. I made Instax pictures with my camera and gifted them portraits. Carrying an Instax camera becomes a way to communicate—a visual language. Gifting photographs transcends cultural and language barriers, sparking smiles and joy.

This day guided me. I allowed the camera and my curiosity to lead me. I responded intuitively, listening to my gut, which told me to follow the brothers up the mountain. When their car broke down, I hopped out and made a few different frames.

Elevating a Composition

Initially, the frame of the car and the mountain in the background felt flat. By including the car in the foreground, I created a much more striking composition. The added depth and detail elevated the photograph, making it visually compelling, mysterious, and intriguing.

“Adding small details in the foreground can elevate a photograph to new heights.”

I experimented with different angles, shooting through the car window and capturing the scene from multiple perspectives. The beautiful background and the interactions at the scene made it one of the most beautiful experiences I’ve ever had in my life.

Mastering Layering in Photography

Layering is something I believe I’ve mastered over the years in photography. I’ve spent a lot of time synthesizing compositions by combining the foreground, middle ground, and background. I approach life not as a one-dimensional, linear thing, but as a dynamic puzzle of elements unfolding naturally.

At this particular scene in Jericho, some boys followed me into a construction site. Rather than photographing the site itself, I became intrigued by the shape of a wall and the way light hit it. I noticed a boy with a tire coming around the corner and decided to include him in the frame.

Layering as a Visual Feast

When you layer a composition, you add depth and intrigue. An image that ties together multiple visual pieces becomes much more impactful than a simple moment. Initially, I photographed the boy with the tire through a window, using the window’s shape as a frame within the frame.

The world is complex, filled with details. When you analyze a scene, think of it as a puzzle, piecing together elements that create a complete composition. In this case, the open window became the puzzle piece that filled the frame and made the photograph successful.

Capturing Strange and Impactful Moments

While layering is a powerful tool, sometimes a photograph doesn’t need it. There’s something to be said for simple, decisive moments that elevate a frame. For instance, in a photograph of a boy throwing a stroller against a wall, the strange moment itself creates the impact.

This frame was very simple:

The boy.
The wall that separates Israel and Palestine.
The blue sky.

“These three elements create impact by focusing the viewer’s attention on the moment.”

The Role of Courage in Street Photography

In East Jerusalem, I spent time walking through the Shofat refugee camp. I wanted to photograph the wall there, but a lot of photography comes down to courage. It requires the bravery to explore new places and position yourself on the front lines of life.

You need to be out there in the world to make impactful compositions. At one point, I climbed on top of the wall to capture a scene. While standing there, a boy threw a rock at me, hitting my leg. It reminded me of childhood acorn fights.

Finding the Moment of Interest

As the boy tried to throw a stroller over the wall, I knew I had found my moment of interest. I photographed from multiple angles, which is the beauty of using a contact sheet—you can see how the scene was built. When I moved my body to the side, I allowed the lines and background to create dynamic framing, adding depth to the frame without overcomplicating it.

“Layering can be as simple as placing the subject in front of a clean background to enhance depth and composition.”

Courage: The Core of Street Photography

Courage, derived from the Latin cor (meaning heart), is essential in street photography. It’s about positioning yourself in the world to get closer to life itself. Whether capturing quiet moments in your hometown or confronting chaotic scenes in new places, courage shines through your approach. At this scene, adjusting my position to the perfect angle allowed me to create the impactful photograph I was aiming for.

Courage is not just about facing chaos—it’s about the willingness to immerse yourself in life and tell stories with your camera.

The Blend of Street and Documentary Photography

Now you’ll look at this photograph and think, “This isn’t street photography; this is war photography.” What are you talking about, street photography? I’m a street photographer. When I approach new locations, travel the world, or go anywhere, the label “street photography” doesn’t really matter to me.

“For the most part, I approach the streets and the world with a documentary mindset, engaging with life through a visual aesthetic that aligns with street photography.”

Courage at the Core of Photography

Courage, derived from the Latin word cor (meaning heart), is essential in photography. A strong photograph comes from the heart and the willingness to position yourself out in the world. As I spent more time in the Jericho community, I noticed conflict breaking out, and I decided to test my courage. I got closer and closer to the front lines, determined to make meaningful photographs.

At one particular scene, smoke filled the background, a tire was on fire, and live ammunition whizzed past. I noticed a man with a tattered mask, visually compelling in the chaos. I decided to stand at the barricade with him, even as rubber bullets and tear gas rained down.

“An important question to ask yourself when reviewing your photographs is: Did it require courage to make this?”

Courage doesn’t require a war zone. You can display courage in your hometown by approaching strangers, getting closer to life, and creating impactful compositions. At this scene, I got as close as humanly possible, and it remains one of my favorite photographs.

Embracing Playfulness in Photography

I don’t take myself too seriously as a photographer. I love to play, stay on my toes, and have fun. At one scene, young boys were working—collecting sand in buckets to build bricks. They noticed my camera and began doing tricks, flipping over the sand with impressive athleticism. Naturally, I started photographing them.

“This spirit of play aligns with my photographic process. It’s about being present and playful, capturing life as it unfolds.”

During my time as a Peace Corps volunteer in Zambia, I lived in a mud hut and worked in aquaculture. This is where I fully embraced the importance of play, even in serious contexts. In one scene, I captured a boy mid-backflip against the vibrant blue sky. It took time, patience, and dozens of photos to perfect this moment.

Observing Gestures: The Key to Strong Frames

Gestures—especially hand movements—are critical in photography. When you’re on the street, pay attention to people’s hands, feet, and the patterns of their movements. These simple observations can significantly elevate a photograph.

At a Seventh-Day Adventist Church camp in Zambia, thousands gathered under makeshift tents. For two weeks, we slept under the stars and celebrated together. The camp culminated in a series of baptisms at a nearby lake. I waded into the water, up to my chest, observing the patterns of the preacher’s gestures and the rhythm of the baptisms.

Initially, I thought the most interesting moment would be when individuals emerged from the water. However, I soon realized the preacher’s raised hand before the dunking was the stronger gesture. This insight transformed the photograph, showcasing the significance of studying patterns and gestures.

Honoring Humanity Through Photography

Photography is about championing humanity—the joy, sorrow, and in-between moments. While in Zambia, I witnessed many funerals. In Zambian culture, it’s encouraged to attend funerals even if you don’t know the family. Communities gather from all over, mourning together for weeks.

“It’s respectful to be present at these moments, and I was given permission to photograph a funeral.”

At one funeral, as the casket was lowered, I noticed a man mourning intensely. I followed his emotional response, dropping to a low angle to capture the rawness of his grief. Smoke, dirt, and the gathering crowd created a visually compelling frame, but the man’s gesture was the emotional focal point.

Celebrating Movement and Light

In Philadelphia, I often photograph Market Street in the summer, where breakdancers and street performers fill the streets. Movement fascinates me—anything that moves is fair game. At one scene, I captured a dancer mid-flip, his shadow cast strikingly on the ground.

“Light and shadow play can elevate a scene to a more mysterious level, creating a dynamic photograph that invites the viewer in.”

This photograph’s impact lies in the interplay of three elements:

The dancer in motion.
The shadow on the ground.
The background that ties the composition together.

Wrapping It Up: Sharing the Journey

At the end of my journey, I photographed a piece of paper with my name written in Arabic, scanned it, and included it with a photo of the Jalin brothers from Jericho. My goal is to inspire others to approach photography with curiosity, courage, and playfulness.

“You can access my contact sheets and explore this journey on my blog. I hope this new video format and shared process provide value to your photographic practice.”