When it comes to street photography, your gear and equipment are not as important as you may think. The key is your connection to the moment and the life unfolding before you.
Clothing is most critical
Clothing and being prepared for the elements is more critical than your camera and lenses. Having proper rain gear, layers, and footwear means you can stay out shooting no matter the weather.
One camera, one lens
Using just one focal length for an extended period of time helps you master composition and framing. You become in tune with just one lens. Constantly changing lenses and cameras makes it harder to improve as a street photographer. Stick to one setup and become an expert with it. Technical aspects like composition and lighting become intuitive over time. You react in the moment without overthinking those elements.
Embrace the now
Street photography is about embracing the present, observing life, and finding meaning in the mundane. Gear and equipment play little role in that creative process. Forging a connection between yourself, the street, and the life in front of you is what matters most. The camera should fade into the background. Slow down, detach from specific outcomes, and enjoy the process. Great street photos will happen when you are fully immersed in the now.
Gear obsession distracts from the core of street photography – engaging with the world around you and revealing its complex beauty.