The Art of Street Photography Composition

Yo, what’s poppin’ people? Today we’re diving into the art of street photography composition, breaking down a few of my photographs and analyzing what makes them great.

When you’re out there in the world, things are happening fast—there’s chaos everywhere. And as photographers, our goal is to put order to that chaos. Composition is key to making sense of the world through the lens.

The Photos We’ll Analyze

We’re going to look at three of my photographs:

Mimi on the Rooftop (Philadelphia)
Children in Baltimore
A Beach Scene in Tel Aviv

Three different locations, three different compositions, and three different lessons to learn.

Breaking Down Mimi on the Rooftop

What drew me in to make this photograph? Gesture. The hand on the forehead instantly caught my eye.

Key elements in this frame:

Gesture: The hand and arm position created a strong visual cue.
Color: Red lipstick and nails added a striking contrast.
Layering: A repeated hand gesture in the background tied the image together.
Background: The cloud and skyscrapers added depth and context.

“Find what draws you in, and position it as close to the camera as possible.”

By getting close, I was able to emphasize the gesture and create a composition filled with depth and visual interest.

The Children in Baltimore

This scene was full of energy—kids running around, the golden light of an evening summer, and pure spontaneity.

How I Approached This Scene:

Engagement: I asked the mother for permission to photograph.
Perspective: I got low to the ground to capture the children’s energy.
Foreground: Filling the frame with the boy running toward me created depth.

“Position your body in relationship to the subject and background—that’s everything.”

Layering the scene with foreground, middle ground, and background elements brought everything together beautifully.

The Beach in Tel Aviv

This composition was about patience. Dogs running, people relaxing, and the spontaneous elements coming together at just the right time.

What Made This Shot Work:

Foreground: The dog in motion added a sense of immediacy.
Middle ground: Subjects washing off sand, providing a natural focal point.
Background: Fences and leading lines added structure.

By observing and waiting, I was able to capture a composition that feels dynamic but also well-structured.

Practical Tips for Strong Composition

Get Close: Fill the frame with visually compelling elements.
Observe Backgrounds: Pay attention to what’s behind your subject.
Use Layering: Combine foreground, middle ground, and background.
Look for Gestures: Hands, movement, and emotions create storytelling moments.
Position Yourself: Your body placement makes or breaks the shot.
Be Patient: Sometimes you need to wait for everything to align.

Intuition Over Analysis

As a street photographer, I’m not walking around with the camera to my eye, analyzing leading lines, shapes, and forms. I’m looking at life itself. I’m responding with my gut, with my intuition, to ultimately create the composition.

“Composition is physical. Composition is intuition.”

When I’m looking at life, it’s like a visual problem. In order to solve it and put order to the chaos, I must position my physical body in relationship to the subject, the moment, the gesture, and the background.

Final Thoughts

Street photography is all about visual problem-solving. It’s about observing life, responding with intuition, and positioning yourself to capture the decisive moment.

“Don’t walk around with the camera to your eye—use your two eyes and respond with your gut.”

For more behind-the-scenes content, check out my YouTube channel at youtube.com/streetphotography or visit my website at dantesisofo.com.

Thanks for tuning in, and see you in the next one!