8 Tips to Improve Your Street Photography Basics of Photography

The term street photography can apply to so many different things. It doesn’t refer to one type of photography, or even one style or aesthetic. But, no matter what kind of street photography you prefer, there are certain tips and tricks that can help you improve your skills across the board. Here are eight tips to improve your street photography as you continue on your photographic journey.

1) Don’t be nervous 

The best way to learn street photography is to just start taking pictures of people in public. The idea of shooting strangers can feel weird and uncomfortable, but you’ll have an easier time if you make it a goal to take photos only of people who are engaging with you (i.e., not just looking at their phones). That may sound obvious, but too many photographers aimlessly wander around hoping for something interesting—or worse, keep their camera stowed away because they don’t want anyone thinking they’re a pervert. All that adds up to missed opportunities and underwhelming results!

2) Find your niche

There are several options for finding your niche in street photography. One common approach is to select a city or region and focus on that area exclusively, returning regularly. Another is to focus on a type of subject matter. Some photographers only shoot candid shots, while others take portraits of passersby with permission. If you're serious about taking street photos, think about what you want out of it and what motivates you; from there, you can create your own niche within street photography by developing expertise in that area.

3) Shoot what you love

Shoot what you love and let that be your guide. There’s no point in taking an art class if you want to learn about architecture. Not only does shooting what you love give your work authenticity, it also allows you to hone in on your style and avoid being distracted by things that don’t interest you. Plus, when you’re passionate about what you’re doing, it shows in your work and helps improve your photography over time.

4) Practice, practice, practice

The best way to learn anything is through practice, and photography is no different. You'll need thousands of hours behind a camera if you want to become a street photographer (also, a lot of luck). This means you can't expect overnight success when taking photos on location. Stick with it and shoot every chance you get. It will take time, but eventually your skills will develop. In the meantime, there are lots of things you can do short-term to improve your current level of skill: Go out and shoot : It doesn't matter how good or bad your photos are; by simply going out on a regular basis and taking pictures in different locations or different lighting situations, you're giving yourself experience that helps over time.

5) Move past your comfort zone

In street photography, it’s important to get outside of your comfort zone. Be willing to take photos of strangers, candid photos and situations that might make you feel uncomfortable or even scared. When you do, there are two likely outcomes: Either you’ll find a way to get through those fears, or you won’t. In either case, being comfortable with pushing past your own limits is an important step in learning how to be comfortable taking photos of strangers in real-life situations.

6) The holy trinity of street photography

plan, anticipate, and capture : Any photographer who’s worth his or her salt knows that street photography is less about showing up at an interesting place and hoping for a good photo than it is about planning your shots in advance, anticipating what you’ll see when you arrive at your destination, and capturing those photos when they present themselves.

7) Think about composition

Here’s a lesson about thinking about something before you start shooting. By now you know that well-composed images can make for more compelling work, and yet it’s easy to let composition fall by the wayside when your subject is in motion. If you want your street photography to be snappier, it helps to establish some ground rules beforehand. Remember: Rules are meant to be broken—but it sure doesn’t hurt to think about them first.

8) Watch other photographers at work

You’ll learn a lot by watching others at work. Finding other photographers in your area can be difficult, but many major cities have photography clubs where you can meet other artists. And if you’re really serious about improving your street photography, sign up for photography workshops—you might find that an intensive workshop is a good way to get new insights into your work and make new connections with other artists.