Help needed with street photography

jamesoliverstone

jamesoliverstone

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Sorry for the length of post, but I could really do with some advice on this topic.

I have been looking at other peoples candid street photography and I have to say I have been utterly inspired by some of the photos I have found on this forum. I really REALLY want to start doing this kind of photography but to be honest the thought of taking pictures like this in the street makes me really nervous. I can imagine lots of people staring at me like I am some kind of madman and/or the people I am photographing confronting me.

I am quite a self concious person and I dont like confrontation, so whats the best way to approach people? I know that it all depends on the person you are photographing... ie. a candid shot of people chatting in the street I could probably use a telefoto lens to capture that, but what about the interesting fisherman on his boat on the harbour, or the homeless guy with the interesting face etc... you need to get up close an personal with these kind of people, and I just cant see how I even start the conversation without coming across like a nutjob trying to take pictures of a homeless guy... (does this make sense?)

for example, I was browsing through Luke Woodfords website and some of the shots he has taken of the people on the street have inspired me to do the same, I just am not sure how to approach this!

Thats my first issue lol :lol:

The next big question is the kit... is my kit up to the job of street photograpy?

I have a Canon 20D with a Sigma 10-20mm, Sigma 18-200 and a Canon 50mm prime with a Canon 550EX speedlight...

I assume the fifty is the best lens to use on the street for the DOF for interesting subjects, but then I have to get REALLY close to them!

Basically, I am off to Zante in Greece next week and have armed myself with 28GB of storage and a sturdy backpack for travelling the villages and countryside and I am desperate to come back with some great pics of local people... just really not sure how to go about it lol :'(

Any help you can offer on this subject would be greatly appreciated.
 
Hi James, I'll reply to your PM here so the forum can see I do actually try and help people ;)

I don't use flash on the street although I have been tempted to try some night time stuff so I might try it, its quite intrusive though. Whatever lens I use I shoot wide open 90% of the time. Now onto actually taking the shot...

With homeless people I always ask permission. People see me get a bit crazy and up close and personal people but I do have limits. They have always said yes to me. I usually buy them a coffee from Mc Donalds of give them a couple of cigarettes. I have a general chat and explain that im a photographer, I make my money from weddings and portraits but I have a passion for street photography etc etc. Ive actually got some of my homeless stuff printed and shown them, they absolutely love it.

I hope that helps, anymore questions (apart from a step by step guide of every tweak I do to my photos ;)) let me know.
 
Thanks for replying Luke ;)

Would a nifty fifty at say f2.8 (for clarity) be a good lens and speed choice for this kind of picture?

I suppose I should really sit the wife down outside for a day and just practise the technique before I fly out.

Do you not feel nervous about approaching complete strangers and asking to take their pic? What if they were complete nutters and tried to nick your camera lol :D
 
jamesoliverstone said:
Thanks for replying Luke ;)

Would a nifty fifty at say f2.8 (for clarity) be a good lens and speed choice for this kind of picture?

I suppose I should really sit the wife down outside for a day and just practise the technique before I fly out.

Do you not feel nervous about approaching complete strangers and asking to take their pic? What if they were complete nutters and tried to nick your camera lol :D
Click to expand...

I do have my bad days, ive actually only done street photography 6 times though so im still quite new to it. Ive only had one bad experience but I havn't got time to go into detail because ive got to go out. I will say im more confident when im shooting with people. If you go by yourself you will be fine once you nail a couple of shots.

I shot 90% of my street stuff with a 50mm. Its such a good lens for street stuff, if I could pick one prime that would be it.
 
I've basically copied a post I made some time ago ...

No explanation needed for these I feel.

Alan Wilson visits another foum I'm a member of ...
edinburgh9.jpg


Matt Stuart is a reknowned Street Photogrpaher ...

1.jpg


3.jpg


01.jpg


05.jpg


For me, Street Photography can be summed up in one words - juxtaposition.
Click to expand...

The above are real examples of Street Photography. Note the compostion, the timing, the subject matter. Real skill has gone into taking the above photos, not just technical skill, but moreover a canny and trained eye.

Shots of the homeless, people in cafes, or smokers leaning on a wall are not only hackneyed, but weren't even anything special in the first place. I liken it to shooting animals in a zoo, it's fine for editorial stuff but where's the field craft or the creativity?

There seems to be too much kudos attributed here for having the nerve to stand in a street and shoot or for approaching strangers and not enough for the compostion, the technical aspect of the shot and certainly not for the creative eye (or lack therein).
 
There's a lot to be said for composition, timing, and all that good stuff.

I had the same feeling of utter fear when aiming my camera at anything other than a landmark. I made a post in the Street thread a while back that was a busker that caught my eye just as I was shooting him. Guilt! - Oh yes. I dutifully went over and dropped a handful of change in his cap.

However, I've found that practice makes it a lot easier, and taking your shots in a place where others have their cameras out (i.e. touristy places) dulls the fear slightly. (Not much use to you if you're backpacking around villages)

I know it's really cliched, but I've also sat in a cafe (outside) with a 70-300 on the table, and just waited. Both components mentioned by posters above are important. It's so tempting to snap-snap-snap away to get the shot, then relax, but it's definately worth thinking about the shot (not always possible I know!). Sure the 50mm might be the "perfect" lens, but the zoom might give you a bit more distance to let you practice the shots you want, rather than the shots you rush.

What's more important to you? Quality, or Content? I'd go the latter every time, because I have to choose. Some are good enough to get both - which is great for them, but for me (most definately an amateur) I'd prefer to get the picture I want rather than rush it due to blind panic.

Above all - it gets easier the more you do it. At least that's what I've found so far. Your mileage may vary though, so have a think.

Hope this helps!

-H
 
Harlequin565 said:
Sure the 50mm might be the "perfect" lens, but the zoom might give you a bit more distance to let you practice the shots you want, rather than the shots you rush.
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There's no such thing as the 'perfect lens' for any genre. The perfect lens is the one that's right for the shot.
 
NorthernNikon said:
I've basically copied a post I made some time ago ...



The above are real examples of Street Photography. Note the compostion, the timing, the subject matter. Real skill has gone into taking the above photos, not just technical skill, but moreover a canny and trained eye.

Shots of the homeless, people in cafes, or smokers leaning on a wall are not only hackneyed, but weren't even anything special in the first place. I liken it to shooting animals in a zoo, it's fine for editorial stuff but where's the field craft or the creativity?

There seems to be too much kudos attributed here for having the nerve to stand in a street and shoot or for approaching strangers and not enough for the compostion, the technical aspect of the shot and certainly not for the creative eye (or lack therein).
Click to expand...


With the risk of getting into an arguement with you I have to say this....

What I do is mostly street portraits. Real street you cant just go out and do on a daily basis and come back with lots of great shots. The shots you have posted are amazing and are exactly my definition of street. Im not saying its impossible but the chance of getting those in one day I reckon you have more chance of winning the lottery. A real street photographers collection is built up over a number of years. I know you dont really like street portraits but take them for what they are- portraits of people in the street living their lives. I dont just snap anything I see walking by.
 
lukewoodford said:
What I do is mostly street portraits. Real street you cant just go out and do on a daily basis and come back with lots of great shots. The shots you have posted are amazing and are exactly my definition of street. Im not saying its impossible but the chance of getting those in one day I reckon you have more chance of winning the lottery. A real street photographers collection is built up over a number of years. I know you dont really like street portraits but take them for what they are- portraits of people in the street living their lives. I dont just snap anything I see walking by.
Click to expand...

No argument here, street photography is one of the hardest genres to become competent in. And I've no axe to grind with street portaits per se, other than the fact that unless there is a compelling theme to them they really do have to be brilliant to catch my eye. It's more the fact that far too much praise is heaped on the perceived effort of taking photos in the street and not enough questioning of the qualities of the photo itself.
 
NorthernNikon said:
No argument here, street photography is one of the hardest genres to become competent. And I've no axe to grind with street portaits per se, other than the fact that unless there is a compelling theme to them they really do have to be brilliant to catch my eye. It's more the fact that far too much praise is heaped on the perceived effort of taking photos in the street and not enough questioning of the qualities of the photo itself.
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Phew :)

I cant be bothed to upload it but my best street one is on my site the "one chance" one, like has he missed his? Problem recently when ive been doing it is im so foccussed on the portraits I would struggle to see the real street stuff. You really have to focus on one or the other but with real street stuff the hit rait is so low and its just not as fun because of that. Anyway thats it from we, im just glad we didn't argue :)
 
lukewoodford said:
You really have to focus on one or the other but with real street stuff the hit rait is so low and its just not as fun because of that.
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The very fact that you may go out ten times and not get a keeper makes me appreciate the better street shots all the more.

The frustrating part for me is that I see a real desire amongst many on this site to go and shoot on the street but all too often just doing seems to be an end in itself and the end prodcut seems to be forgotten along the way.
 
I think I've got over the initial hurdle of having the confidence to take pictures of strangers, and now take that extra step before I take the shot of moving my feet a little, taking on the background, and composing the shot properly.

My favoured technique for loosening up to take shots of strangers (especially ones bigger than me) is to go with a friend and make a mini pub crawl of it, couple of pints does wonders :)

Only done a few street shoots but will be out doing some more soon as I'm back from hols. Might even give it a go in Sri Lanka but will enquire about their etiquette and sensibilities first obviously.

Few of my shots here : http://www.diffracture.co.uk/index.php?x=browse&category=11
 
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