Travel street photography tips

When traveling, it’s not just about seeing the most beautiful scenery. We still remember these unforgettable moments from our travels, so we can’t avoid street photography. As for street photography, many people actually like it. They can always capture the scene they like, but it’s really hard to do so.

So, today the editor will recommend some street photography skills to you. Friends in need, come and take a look!

1. The less equipment, the better

If you want to take good photos while sweeping the streets, it is not a good idea to bring too many lenses and lights. These burdens will distract you from your observations and prevent you from attacking quickly when a good photo opportunity arises. Small digital cameras, side cameras, cameras with rotating screens, and even mobile phones are also great tools for sweeping the streets.

2. Choose the scene of rejuvenation.

Don’t just go to places like tourist spots to find your subjects. Even though there are a lot of people there, it’s easy to find the courage to point your camera at strangers and instead try to find the more realistic scenes that lie beneath the surface. For example, start with your life and familiar environment.

3. Learn to predict the decisive moment

Learn to predict the scene that will appear, prepare the camera in advance, press your shutter, and take the decisive moment.

4. Try more color photography.

Street photography is mostly documentary. At this time, black and white photos will make the facts appear more powerful and beautiful, especially when news photography is shooting emergencies.

But some street photography themes are very suitable for color photography. For example, when you want to express a happy mood or objectively describe the street environment, the restored colors will be more vivid, real, and pleasing to the eye.

5. Discover the visual symbols on the street

Billboards, signs, graffiti, these visual symbols on the street, if used as the background, may make your photos more street-like and more Distinctive. They can also be used as subjects when there is no eye-catching subject.

6. Street photography can be very experimental.

Try diagonal compositions to break the constraints of horizontal and vertical compositions. Or diagonal graphics appear in the picture, or tilt your camera. Street photography is inherently casual and random. Throw it over, zoom in and out, and experiment with your photos.

7. Change your perspective

Take photos of the scenery across the street. The unique perspective will surprise people.

8. Acting

Parades and performances, as well as other street entertainment activities are also common scenes in street photography.

9. A place where people gather.

When taking pictures of big scenes, go to places where many people gather, such as amusement parks, markets, performances, parks, sports events, and exhibitions, and you can take good photos.

10. New shooting angles

Try shooting at a higher or lower angle. Even the flat angle is unique, and it's easier to direct your gaze when shooting downward or upward.

11. Practice brings true knowledge.

After a period of practice, not only your shooting skills will improve, but your insight into the things around you will also continue to improve.

12. Luck favors courage.

Don’t be afraid of a little resistance from the subject. Only by approaching your subject bravely and staying close to reality can you shoot shocking and impactful works.

13. Break the conventional use of lighting.

We often try to avoid the highlights and shadows that direct sunlight can create. When shooting street photography, you need to be good at breaking these conventional light applications and using different lights to get better images.

14. Stand aside and watch.

Stay ready and only those fleeting images can be captured. Hang the camera around your neck or shoulder, or if it's portable, put it in your pocket or the outermost part of your bag so you can grab it as quickly as possible. Automatic is a good idea, but manual exposure and focus can also be very fast if you have experience.

15. Follow up with reshoots

When we realize that a story is about to happen, we can take subsequent shots to make up for it until we get a satisfactory picture.

16. Fast photography and slow photography on the street

There are often moving people and cars on the street, so the shutter speed must be above 1/125 to capture them effectively and clearly. Setting ISO to 400 also ensures higher shutter speeds during the day. Slow shots make car tracks at night and moving apparitions during the day feel magical.

17. Road Maps

Many people have plots of roads, not to shoot specific events, but simply to appreciate the street style of different cities and countries, shooting from a completely objective perspective street. Silent or bustling streets also have their own unique charm.

18. Wide-angle shooting

Exaggerated angles of view will make street scenes very interesting, and you can even use a fisheye lens.

19. Communicate with subjects.

Street photography provides many opportunities to communicate with your subjects. Treat the subject politely and with a smile. They generally reciprocate politely, but sometimes they encounter special circumstances. After they protest, you also need to be willing to delete the negative attitude in a friendly manner.

20. Location, location, location

The most important thing about street photography is the choice of location. A group of musicians appeared in the butcher shop and a lot of imagination was generated.

Have you learned it? If you learn it, don’t forget to bring your equipment when you start traveling and start your street photography!