5 Street Photography Habits For Life
I’ve been photographing in cities for over six years, and although I am not strictly a street photographer, much of my work can be classified as some form of street photography. In this blog, I’ll share a selection of good habits that I’ve developed over the years, which have served me well, in the hopes they’ll help you too. Please keep in mind that this is based on my personal experience and approach to photography; it isn’t gospel. Additionally, this post won’t cover technical aspects such as lighting and composition, but will instead focus on more holistic elements.
Numbers Game
Street photography is a numbers game, and the more you take part, the luckier you get. The most successful photographers I know are not necessarily the most talented but are the hardest-working, spending more time shooting in one week than most people do in a month. This is a genre that rewards hard work and time invested above all else, so if you want to improve, put on your shoes and get out there.
Miles
Building on the previous point, you’re not going to get the best shots if you don’t walk. Many photographers I know easily hit 30,000–40,000 steps on an average day of photography. Often, the best shots come when you’re walking from A to B. Get a comfortable pair of shoes, map out some routes in your local city, and start racking up the miles.
Always Have a Camera
Make it a habit never to leave your house without a camera, even if you’re just popping to the shops for milk. So many of my favourite photos were taken while waiting for my girlfriend to finish shopping or during a commute to the dentist. If your usual gear is large, consider investing in something pocketable, like a Ricoh GR, and always keep it with you.
Empathy
When you’re immersed in street photography, it’s easy to assume everyone knows what it is. The reality, however, is that most people have no idea why a stranger might be taking their photo, and they may question it. This isn’t an article on the moral and legal aspects of street photography, but a simple reminder that 95% of people don’t understand what you’re doing. Next time you’re pointing your camera at strangers on the street, bear that in mind and have empathy for those who may feel rightly confused or concerned.
Minimalism
There’s nothing wrong with owning a lot of camera gear, but when you go out, try to keep things minimal and lightweight. By now, you already know you’ll be covering plenty of miles, so it makes sense to do it with as small and light a setup as possible. The more gear you carry, the more likely you’ll be focused on which piece to use rather than simply taking photos. Additionally, you don’t want to attract too much attention. A small setup and a sling bag look far more inconspicuous than a large camera bag with a tripod sticking out. I suggest taking only one camera body and no more than two lenses for a general walkabout.
Bonus: Mindset
Two key mindset changes have made the biggest difference for me: cultivating a long-term approach and being open to whatever you encounter. Street photography is a labour of love, and unlike other genres, you can’t plan or prepare for what you’ll see, so approach each day with an open mind and let your gut instinct guide you. Lastly, view street photography as a lifelong pursuit. This isn’t a list of photo spots you can tick off and complete but rather an ongoing project that documents what you observe over the decades.
