How to Master Street Photography in 10 Minutes

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Lessons from a Decade of Street Photography

What’s popping, people? It’s Dante. Today, I’m going to be teaching you how to master street photography in 10 minutes. I’ll distill a decade of experience into a concise lesson packed with insights, behind-the-scenes footage, contact sheets, and actionable steps to improve your photography immediately.

Overcoming Fear & Getting Close

The first hurdle in street photography is overcoming fear. I’ve photographed all over the world, from everyday city streets to the front lines in Palestine, and fear is always present. One technique that helped me early on was using an Instax camera to gift prints to strangers.

This simple act allowed me to:

• Break the ice with people
• Gain access to homes, coffee shops, and cultural spaces
• Build deeper connections and experiences beyond just photography

By carrying an Instax camera, you can present yourself as a playful tourist rather than a serious documentary photographer, making people more receptive. Street photography is about how you engage with humanity, and the way you present yourself will reflect in your photos.

Action Step:

Take 10 portraits of strangers with an Instax camera and gift them the print. Experience the joy of giving and see how it transforms your interactions.

Photography is About Engagement

Photography has nothing to do with photography; it has everything to do with how you engage with the world. When you go out with an open spirit, with a smile, and embrace the spirit of play, doors will open for you. I’ve been invited into homes, treated to tea, and had unexpected opportunities just because of how I carry myself in the streets.

Composition: Visual Problem Solving

Composition is intuition. It is visual problem solving. To create strong compositions, you must move physically. When photographing a scene, I make decisions based on:

1. Foreground
2. Middle Ground
3. Background

Example: The Car Breakdown in Jericho

In this scene, I instinctively positioned myself to include:

• The car in the foreground

• The people in the middle ground

• The sky in the background

This composition came naturally from moving my physical body in relation to the elements. Photography is about seeing and positioning yourself accordingly.

The Three Pillars of Street Photography

To improve your street photography, focus on these three core principles:

1. Courage – Push yourself to get closer, to step out of your comfort zone.
2. Curiosity – Approach the world with the wonder of a child.
3. Intuition – Trust your gut instinct when pressing the shutter.

“A photograph is a reflection of your courage.”

Street photography is about the heart. You need the courage to explore, the curiosity to see the world anew, and the intuition to capture fleeting moments.

Action Step:

Set a goal to take 1,000 photos in a single day. The more you photograph, the more you learn.

Finding Your Style

To develop your personal voice in photography, study the masters. Avoid social media and immerse yourself in photo books instead.

My Influences:

• William Klein – Fearless, interactive, dynamic

• Alex Webb – Master of layering, color, and depth

• Larry Towell – Documentary approach, deep human connection

Pick five photos from a photographer you admire. Analyze:

• What makes them strong?
• How is the composition structured?
• How does the photographer interact with the scene?

Action Step:

Choose five photographers, study their work, and break down their compositions.

Forcing Your Luck

Photography isn’t about waiting for lucky moments. You force your luck by putting yourself in the right situations repeatedly.

Example: The rainbow shot at Logan Square, Philadelphia.

• I spent hours walking around the fountain.
• Recognized patterns of light and water.
• Positioned myself to capture the moment before it happened.

The Photographer’s Responsibility:

Your job is to position your physical body in relation to the moment and background. Approach the world as a visual puzzle to be solved.

Printing & Studying Your Work

Studying your own work is just as important as studying the masters.

Practical Tip:

Use the Canon Selphy CP1500 printer to print your photos and create a sketchbook. Analyzing your own images will teach you more than anything else.

The Key to Mastering Street Photography

“The more you walk, the more you see. The more you see, the more you photograph. The more you photograph, the more curious you become.”

Final Action Steps:

• Shoot daily
• Always carry a camera
• Study photo books
• Print your work and analyze it
• Stay consistent

The secret to improving is making more photos. The more you shoot, the better you become.

That’s it. Now go out there and master street photography. Peace.