Study the Street
Street photography is more than a style — it’s an ethos, a way of engaging with and viewing the world. Don’t let basic definitions or ideas from books or videos restrict you. Just go out there with an open mind, driven by curiosity and intuition, and see what you discover.
Photograph on Repeat
To truly understand a place, it’s essential to photograph the same area repeatedly, at different times and in different conditions. Go out in all types of weather, at different times of the day, throughout the week, month, and year. Embrace the elements and observe how they change the scene.
Look for the everyday patterns in your city. Perhaps there’s a street vendor who sets up at the same time each day or familiar faces like security guards and janitors you’ll see again and again. Interact with them. This awareness helps you understand the city’s rhythm, which in turn can deepen your photography.
“When you study the way in which your city operates on a day-to-day basis, this can actually help you with your photography.”
Keep It Simple
Don’t let gear or settings slow you down. Keep it simple by shooting in P mode and just focusing on making the shot. Overthinking settings or aiming for the “perfect” picture can hold us back. The simpler and faster your approach, the more opportunities you’ll have to capture moments spontaneously.
“The simpler and faster your approach to making pictures and culling through photographs, the more you can actually study the work itself.”
Make Slideshows
This past year, I’ve found that slideshows are an excellent way to study my work. Viewing photos in consecutive order lets me retrace my steps, revealing patterns in how I see and shoot. By reviewing your own photos, you can draw inspiration from the way you see the world, not just from other photographers or galleries.
“The more photographs you make, the more photographs you have to study from and draw inspiration from.”
Tip: Dig into your own archive and reflect on the photos you’ve taken. A slideshow can highlight subtle details you might otherwise miss, helping you learn from your work in a new way.
The Beat of the Street
When you’re on the street, pay attention to the rhythm and movement around you. Observe the way people walk, the cadence of feet on the pavement, and the subtle “dance” of pedestrians. This rhythm, or beat of the street, helps you stay in tune with fleeting moments, always ready to capture something spontaneous.
“The point is, the more you study the street itself, the better your photographs will become.”
Street photography is about being connected to the world around you. By embracing simplicity, studying your work, and aligning yourself with the rhythm of the street, you’ll make better pictures — the kind that satisfy your soul. Keep photographing, keep studying, and you will inevitably become a better photographer.