Street Photography Breakdown Series, Part Three
What’s poppin, people? It’s Dante.
Today we’re doing Street Photography Breakdown Series, Part Three. In today’s video, we’re going to be sharing five photographs, going behind the scenes of how the photos were made, breaking down the compositions, and giving you some tips and ideas about how you can apply my philosophy, my technique, and my kind of way of seeing and breaking down a scene with your street photography practice.
Basketball in Baltimore
This is one of the earliest photographs I made on the streets.
In 2016, I was photographing around the West Baltimore neighborhood — Sandtown, Winchester — very frequently with my Ricoh GR2. I’d tuck it in my pocket, walk around… this was just the kind of scene available to me in my backyard while attending university.
I spotted the mural. I noticed the beautiful light — it was golden hour, the sun setting. I saw the shadows and the light cast on the mural and I had to approach.
One of the first things I did:
- I approached the people.
- Asked for permission.
- Told them I’m a student.
- They were eager and open to letting me photograph them.
Pro Tip:
Breaking the ice, getting permission, and getting closer physically and emotionally leads to more impactful photographs.
In the frame:
- Foreground: A man gazing downward at his hand.
- Background: Another man looking up at the basketball on his fingertips, with light casting on his face.
- Right side: Two men looking back towards me.
There’s a spiral composition here — a windmill effect. It’s strange, mysterious, visually impactful.
Other details:
- Shadows of basketball players, including my own shadow.
- The interaction of the shadow basketball with the mural basketball.
- Gesture of the boy with an outstretched hand on his forehead.
- Smokestack from the mural interacting visually with a hand gesture.
Always follow your intuition.
I saw a beautiful background, I approached openly, and through honesty and curiosity, I came home with complexity.
Boy in Mumbai
Similar to the basketball photo, I was drawn to golden hour again, but this time alongside the ocean in Mumbai.
During sunset, I knew it was a fruitful time for street photography. Tons of people gather at the beach.
The main focus:
- A boy eating in the foreground.
In the background:
- A woman smiling with red lipstick.
- A man holding a child looking out at the skyline.
- Three people gazing at the skyline.
- A couple interacting and looking back at me.
Foreground, Middle Ground, Background — all connected before even clicking the shutter.
Elements:
- Rocks, skyline, ocean, leading lines, and an open blue sky.
- Low vantage point separated the subjects cleanly.
- Final spontaneous moment: A bird flying through the frame.
Key lesson:
Be present. Work the scene. Let the scene unfold naturally without forcing it.
Woman at Penn’s Landing
Golden hour again — but more than just light and shadow, the human element takes center stage.
Backdrop:
- Benjamin Franklin Bridge
- Ferris wheel
- Skyline
- Dramatic stormy sky
Drawn in by the set, the stage… the possibility.
Foreground:
- A woman gazing back towards the right side of the frame.
Left side:
- A man looking out at the bridge.
Middle:
- A woman looking at the Ferris wheel.
Special moment:
Her head lines up perfectly inside the Ferris wheel creating a bullseye effect.
Photography is physical.
Recognize patterns. Move your body. Trust your gut instinct.
No permission needed in a scene like this.
When the environment is beautiful, people are generally more receptive.
Brothers Kissing in Jericho
I spent months traveling the West Bank, living among the Palestinian people, photographing.
This moment happened after Salah (prayer), while people were drinking coffee and smoking cigarettes outside.
Photographing:
- A man kissing his brother.
- Another man holding coffee.
- A man in the background smoking.
Human engagement is everything.
The way you interact with humanity reflects back into your photographs.
Because I was there — open, curious, engaged — I was able to make the frame.
Composition:
- Clean background (wall and doorway).
- Emotional impact captured with formal composition.
A great photograph synthesizes content and form.
Mexico City Kiss in the Rain
One of the rainiest days of my life. No umbrella. Running through the streets looking for cover.
Standing under shelter, I witnessed:
- A couple engaging in an emotional kiss.
Perfect moment:
- Tight space forced proximity.
- Rain creating dramatic atmosphere.
- Leading lines drawing your eye back into the street.
Elements:
- Text on the wall.
- Garage door.
- People huddling for cover in the background.
Photograph in all conditions.
Don’t just shoot the sunny golden hour. Shoot in rain, snow, shade. You don’t need “perfect” light to make a great photo.
Final Thoughts
If you want to learn more about street photography, check out my website: dantesisofo.com.
Also:
- Start Here Page: Free PDF with contact sheets.
- YouTube Channel: Mumbai POV street photography series.
Thank you once again for watching today’s video.
And with that being said — I’ll see you in the next one.
Peace.