How to Get Close in Street Photography

The Meaning of Getting Close

Robert Capa once said, “If your pictures aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough.” While this quote has become a mantra for many photographers, getting close in street photography isn’t just about physical proximity—it’s about breaking barriers, building connections, and immersing yourself in the scene.

When we think of getting close, names like Bruce Gilden and William Klein come to mind. Their in-your-face style showcases raw energy, but getting close is more than just putting a camera up to someone’s face. It’s about engaging with people, understanding their world, and capturing moments that resonate beyond the surface.

Why Get Close?

Getting close in street photography transforms your images by adding:

Impact – Filling the frame makes a photograph more visually striking.
Authenticity – Being physically present in a scene leads to more genuine images.
Raw Energy – Close proximity allows you to capture gestures, emotions, and tension.
Connection – The closer you are, the more the viewer feels like part of the moment.

By stepping into the action rather than observing from afar, your images will carry a sense of presence that’s hard to achieve with a telephoto lens.

Overcoming Fear: The First Step to Getting Close

For many, the hardest part of street photography is the fear of confrontation. You might wonder:

“What if they get mad? What if I get rejected?”

The truth is, this fear is part of the process. The best way to overcome it is to face it head-on. Push through the anxiety and embrace the unknown. The moment you press the shutter despite your apprehension is when the real magic happens.

“The secret for harvesting from existence the greatest fruitfulness and the greatest enjoyment is—to live dangerously!” – Friedrich Nietzsche

Getting close requires courage, and courage is built through repetition. The more you photograph in public, the less fear will hold you back.

Physical Closeness: Framing for Maximum Impact

Being physically close adds an intensity to your images that distance simply can’t replicate. Consider:

A couple kissing in the rain in Mexico City.

A man mourning at a funeral in Zambia.

A butcher in a cramped shop in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

These moments carry weight because the photographer was inside the moment, not observing from a distance. By positioning yourself correctly and filling the frame with meaningful details, your photographs will carry a stronger emotional pull.

Practical Ways to Get Physically Close

Use a wide-angle lens (28mm or 35mm). A wider field of view forces you to move in.
Find busy events (parades, protests, festivals). Crowds make it easier to blend in.
Move with confidence. If you hesitate, people will sense your uncertainty.
Don’t hide your camera. Be open with your intentions.

Emotional Closeness: The Hidden Ingredient

Getting close isn’t just about stepping forward—it’s about connecting on a deeper level.

In Jericho, I slept on mosque floors, drank coffee with locals, and immersed myself in their lives. After prayers, I captured two Palestinian men greeting each other. That moment was possible because I had built trust.

In Philadelphia, I spent nearly an hour talking to a man practicing a form of Tai Chi. Because I was genuinely curious about him, I was able to capture his movements in a way that felt personal and real.

How to Build Emotional Closeness

Engage with people. Have conversations before taking out your camera.
Spend time in a location. The longer you stay, the more comfortable people become.
Show genuine curiosity. If you care about the scene, your subjects will sense it.
Be a fly on the wall. Don’t force moments—immerse yourself in them.

The Joy of Risk: Why You Should Push Your Limits

Street photography is about embracing the edge of discomfort. There’s joy in taking a risk, in stepping closer when every instinct tells you to step back. The best images often come from moments when you push beyond your comfort zone.

In Mumbai, India, I photographed a chai vendor who gifted me free tea. Because I accepted the offering and took the time to sit with him, I was able to capture an intimate moment of him drinking coffee and smoking a cigarette.

In a Palestinian refugee camp, I engaged with locals through conversation and humor. I didn’t just run in with a camera—I connected, played, and built trust. Because of that, I was able to make photographs that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise.

Practical Exercises for Overcoming Fear

Approach strangers and ask for a portrait. Getting used to interaction removes hesitation.
Carry an Instax camera. Give people prints to break the ice.
Force yourself to take 10 close-up shots per outing. Train yourself to step in.
Photograph at public events. It’s easier to practice in places where cameras are expected.

Final Thoughts: The Path to Stronger Photographs

Street photography is not just about capturing moments—it’s about engaging with life.

Getting close is about courage.

Getting close is about connection.

Getting close is about curiosity.

The more you push yourself to engage, to interact, and to step into the scene, the more impactful your photographs will become. So grab your camera, walk into the world, and get close.

Happy shooting!