How I Use Layers in Street Photography

Mastering Layers: Practice, Patience, and Persistence

I mastered using layers in street photography through years of practice. It’s a way of seeing that requires a lot of practice and patience to get these kinds of layered photos. I think the secret is taking LOTS of pictures of scenes you deem worthy. If there’s anything interesting going on, don’t stop shooting. You leave when the scene leaves you. Stay for as long as you can to get that shot! It’s not going to happen in a one-and-done quick snapshot. You’ve got to keep pushing through and work on your observational skills. It’s all about that foreground, middle ground, background!

“At the end of the day, photography is a visual game and a physical pleasure.”

Think: Where must I position myself and the camera for the puzzle pieces to align? Photography is visual problem solving.

Mexico: A Lesson in Patience and Persistence

Take, for instance, a photograph I made in Mexico. I found myself at the top of a mountain, watching a man exclaim “Mexico, Mexico” with his arms outstretched. Behind him, a sculpture of Jesus mirrored his gesture. This composition didn’t happen in an instant. I took hundreds of photos, experimenting with different angles and perspectives. I deleted most of those shots, keeping only the one where everything aligned. The scene unfolded naturally as I moved through it—following the man as he danced, laughed, and climbed the ladder.

“I positioned myself above him, looking down, and just as his arms extended, I clicked. That split second felt like the culmination of all the moments leading up to it.”

The secret sauce is simple: you observe, you adapt, and when the right moment comes, you act.

Building Relationships: A Day on the Mediterranean Shore

To create layered compositions, I spend time with the people I photograph. I immerse myself in their world, allowing connections to form. It’s a process of exploration, of being patient, and of letting the scene unfold. I remember a day spent on a rocky shore with some locals. They were pulling clams off the rocks, and we shared freshly caught seafood right there by the Mediterranean. They had tied a watermelon to a rock, letting it chill in the sea like a natural refrigerator. Hours later, they pulled it out, and as they sliced it open, I noticed the scene around me.

“To make a layered composition, maybe the secret sauce is this: you interact with people; you don’t just take a picture and leave. Half the time in these pictures, I spent some time working that scene. I spent some time photographing. I didn’t just take the picture and leave.”

I framed the scene from above, using the watermelon as a central element and positioning the people around it. A man swimming in the background created a dynamic triangle with the figures, adding depth to the composition. These are the moments that come from spending time with your subjects and letting the scene guide you.

Jericho: Play and Spontaneity with the Youth

There’s something special about photographing youth. It’s easier to capture their spontaneous energy, but that doesn’t mean it comes without effort. In Jericho, I spent time with a group of kids playing near a graveyard, a donkey nearby, and the empty frame of a playground. I joined them, doing pull-ups on the bars and becoming part of their world.

“These Palestinian kids, they’re playing on this empty frame right on the border in the desert of Jericho, and I captured the dynamic composition through my play—through me doing pull-ups on that bar, through me hanging out with these kids, and then I took the picture.”

It’s all about being present, interacting, and letting the scene evolve naturally. The photograph happens when you’re part of the moment, not just an observer.

Finding the Sweet Spot: Positioning and Intuition

Using layers in street photography is the most challenging approach that many people want to learn. Here are a few tips:

Observe a “scene” – A scene can be anything happening on the street: people waiting at a bus stop, children playing soccer, a vendor selling food at a market, or people exiting a church.
Be patient. Allow yourself time to watch the events in front of you unfold.
Pay attention to the background. A successful photo is a legible photo. Cluttered backgrounds are distracting. I tend to find my background first.
Position your camera. Layering is all about finding that sweet spot at the scene. Where can you position yourself to snap the shutter at the moment the events unfold? These tend to happen at a “choke point.” You can practice your camera positioning at any corner on the street where people are moving in and out, as these tend to be active areas.
Look for gestures. Watch the faces, hands, and feet of people as they move. These observations will determine when to press the shutter.
Shoot more than you think you should.
Move around. Maybe it would work better for you to get closer, but sometimes you need to distance yourself.
Interact with the people at the scene. Don’t be afraid to chat with people. Keep it candid, but making your presence known is not a bad thing.
Foreground, Middleground, Background. When you connect everything together, you will get the instinctual feeling that you pressed the shutter at the right time.
Never leave the scene. Let the scene leave you. Spend as much time as you need. Some of my best photographs were made with lots of time spent.

Philadelphia Backyard: A Layered Moment with a Rainbow

This is an example of a successful layered photograph that I made in my backyard in Philadelphia. I spent a few hours working this scene, carefully aligning each element for the perfect moment. It takes patience and persistence to get everything lined up just right.

I observed the rainbow from outside of the fountain and tried my best to position my camera to include it in my frame. I soon realized that I needed to face the fountain at a very specific angle for the rainbow to appear, so I decided to hop in the water and take the risk. A lot of successful street photography requires courage to get the shot.

This photograph came together after a lot of time and effort. Luck favors the prepared. Watch the video below to see the behind-the-scenes footage from my POV:

Grandmother and Gesture: Finding Emotion in the Everyday

Photographing the people close to me is no different. I captured a photograph of my grandmother, Mimi—rest in peace. Maybe it wasn’t the most flattering photo, but as a street photographer, we don’t pose each other; we take the shot as it is. I positioned my camera close to her face, using her arm to break up the frame, and I noticed how her gesture and the red of her lips interacted with the people in the background.

“You look for those things to break the frame up, and these things happen naturally through your vision.”

The gesture of her hand, the way it filled part of the frame, became the focal point that brought the composition together.

Embrace the Chaos: Letting the Scene Unfold

I’ve always enjoyed scenes with a bit of chaos—frames that are filled with energy and movement. For me, the unpredictable is where the magic happens.

“I like positioning my camera in a place where I don’t know what I’m gonna get… When you think of the foreground, middle ground, background, you start to see like this.”

It’s about placing yourself where things are happening, letting the elements move naturally, and being ready to capture when everything aligns. You can’t force a layered composition; you can only position yourself to see it.

Final Thoughts: Trusting Your Vision

Ultimately, no one can teach you how to see. Layering in street photography isn’t about following rigid rules; it’s about being curious, present, and trusting your intuition. Spend time with your subjects, follow their gestures, and embrace the unpredictability of the streets.

“You’ve got to be on your toes… The car breaks down—what do you do to make this composition interesting? You think on your feet, frame the foreground, middle ground, background, and start to see like this.”

And that’s my advice to anyone who wants to learn how to layer compositions. Be present, be curious, and let your vision guide you. When you’re out there with your camera, don’t worry about getting it perfect—just be there, and the layers will come.

Summary: Ten Best Tips for Using Layers in Street Photography

Shoot A Lot and Be Patient
The key to capturing layered compositions is to take many photos of scenes you find interesting. Stay with a scene until it leaves you—don’t expect a perfect shot with just one click. Patience pays off as you observe how the elements align over time.
Engage with Your Subjects
Spending time with the people you photograph allows for natural interactions and dynamic compositions. Don’t just take the picture and leave—immerse yourself in the scene. This creates opportunities for deeper layers and richer stories.
Focus on Foreground, Middleground, and Background
A successful layered photo connects these three elements. Think about how each part of the scene interacts with the others, adding depth and context. It’s all about aligning these layers to tell a compelling story.
Find the Right Background First
A clean background can make or break a photo. Start by identifying a good background before layering other elements into the frame. This ensures that your photo remains legible, even when more elements are added.
Position Your Camera Intentionally
Your camera’s placement determines how elements come together in a scene. Experiment with angles and perspectives until you find the sweet spot. This often means finding a “choke point” where elements naturally align.
Look for Gestures and Movements
Pay close attention to people’s gestures—hands, feet, and body language. These movements can create connections between different elements in the frame, making the photo more dynamic.
Be Willing to Take Risks
Sometimes, getting the shot means stepping out of your comfort zone. Whether it’s hopping into a fountain or positioning yourself in unexpected places, courage is often required to capture unique compositions.
Embrace Chaos and Serendipity
Layered street photography thrives on unpredictability. Position yourself where interesting things are happening, and let the scene unfold naturally. The best photos often come from moments you couldn’t have planned.
Practice Visual Problem-Solving
Think of photography as a puzzle. Ask yourself: Where do I need to stand? How do I arrange the elements? Constantly solve the visual problems in front of you, and look for ways to improve the composition.
Spend Time Observing the Scene
Don’t rush the process. Let yourself absorb what’s happening before snapping the photo. Some of the best images are made after spending hours in one spot, waiting for the right moment when all elements come together.