Last Updated on 01/24/2017 by Chris Gampat
Getting tips from other street photographers is typically how many people in the community tend to become better shooters. So to help others out, we asked the NYC Street Photography Collective for a few tips on how to create better street photos. Each of the contributing members gave some insights that are both helpful and motivational.
What you make a picture of is as important as what you don’t make a picture of. Check your corners and learn to see the way your lens does.
“Be bold. Get close. And smile. Intruding (on) someone’s personal space can be intimidating at first. Try to overcome your fear – and be friendly. Most people don’t mind if you take their photo when they realize you’re just some friendly person.”
Robert Doisneau once said “I find the stage and the players will come.”
Be patient.
If you find the backdrop for a great picture, just wait.
Eventually, your subject will come along and complete the photo.
Don’t worry about being original. Celebrate your inspirations while focusing on form and good story telling.
Don’t drop your camera.
Put your time in and be persistent. Spend time practicing, making mistakes, studying, over coming your fears. It’s only a matter of time before you start making great work.
The real journey of discovery in street photography consists not in seeking new streets but in having new eyes.
Study a lot, buy books, look at other photographer’s work and once you find what you’re interested on, get your camera and go look for it. Always carry a camera with you and spend a lot of hours just wandering, the gods of photography will reward you.
Have heroes. Find photographers who make work that inspires you and gets you excited, and learn as much as you can from them. Seek out and meet other photographers you respect, and share your work.
Don’t be afraid to make others uncomfortable. But more importantly, don’t be afraid to make yourself uncomfortable.
When shooting or editing photos: Each photograph must provide a satisfying response to the question, “Why am I looking at this?” If it can’t, your photo doesn’t have a strong, meaningful foundation.
Look at a lot of good work (not just street), spend a lot of time shooting, and meet other people doing what you do.
More so than other forms of photography, you may only have a split second to capture that one moment on the streets. When in doubt, take the shot.
– Eric Hsu