Street Photography: The Ultimate Guide For Beginners
Street photography is perhaps the most popular genre of photography. It’s also one of the most difficult to master. Many people believe the way to success is getting the best camera for street photography. It’s important, but there are other areas you need to focus on if you want to be successful in the craft. This extensive guide will help you get to exactly where you want to be.
Key Talking Points
The origins for street photography date back to the 1850s. The genre saw two booms in the late 1900s and in 2010s.
The practice offers significant personal development benefits, including building confidence, improving conflict management skills, and enhancing mental health through mindful observation.
For beginners, using aperture priority mode is recommended over manual settings. That’s because it allows photographers to quickly capture moments without missing shots due to exposure adjustments.
What to Expect
We will cover the origins of street photography, its different styles and some of the benefits you can expect to get from practicing the craft. We will also share useful resources to further your education. They will include YouTube channels, documentaries and photo books. We’ll also share some of the best cameras for street photography, as well as the best lenses.
Editors note: This article contains a small handful of affiliate links. If you invest in a camera using any of the links, Them Frames gets a little kick back which helps run the site.
What is Street Photography?
Street photography is the practice of creating candid, unplanned photographs of people on the street. That’s how it began at least. Today, many have opened up the idea of anything outside and candid falling under the category of street photography. This could be the beach, in an open mall or at a public event.
The beginnings of street photography go way back to the 1800s. According to online encyclopedia Britannica, “The first images to exemplify street photography were those produced by French photographer Charles Nègre”. This was as early as the 1850s.
Back then, street photography wasn’t really defined. It wasn’t overly popularized until the 1900s, when the likes of Henri Cartier-Bresson took over. Diana Arubs, Elliott Erwitt et al were also prominent voices in the field.
In the second half of the 20th century, Gary Winogrand, Bruce Gilden and Joel Myerowitz led the boom in New York, a place many people consider to be one of the best cities for street photography.
In the 21st century, street photography became the global giant it is today. There were several reasons for this. First, the entry-level camera meant more people had access to the craft. Then, the smartphone got into full swing and everyone had a camera in their pocket.
And, of course, there’s the internet. It made it easier for street photography to grow even further on a global scale as many turned to social media to share their images.
Benefits to Street Photography
There are several benefits to practicing street photography. We’ll break them down further to give you the best idea of what to expect from getting stuck into the craft.
Builds Confidence
Making candid photographs of strangers can be nerve racking. By consistently pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, you’re able to build up your self esteem. Letting go of your barriers also makes you more confident when communicating with a wide range of people. This is especially true if you venture into street portrait photography.
Helps You Manage Conflict
We’re yet to meet a street photographer who hasn’t experienced some form of confrontation. That’s not to scare you away. But, it’s good to know it’s highly likely going to happen when photographing strangers. The good news is the more it happens, the better equipped you become to manage conflict in day to day life.
If you’re smart about it, and learn not to escalate it. You’ll have a wonderful skill of being able to stay calm in stressful situations. If the idea of confrontation is holding you back, check out the video below for some helpful tips to avoid and overcome confrontation.
Improves Mental Health
We have covered photography and mental health a lot at Them Frames. Street photography requires you to focus, and for many can be a form of mindful meditation. It also pushes you to do physical activity, another important component for ensuring you have a healthy mind (and body).
Despite many practicing street photography alone, it’s also a very social practice. You become connected to other members of society, and it can give you a feeling of deep connection with humanity - something we need as humans for us to live a fulfilling life.
Street Photography: Top Tips
There’s a lot to learn in street photography. The last thing we want to do is to overwhelm you with so much information you go into freeze mode and choose not to pursue the art form. Instead, below are some bitesize tips that are essential for street photography beginners.
Don’t compare: Don’t rush to see if you make street photographers just as good as others. Instead, focus on enjoying the early phases of the craft and getting to know your camera.
Stand still: While it’s fun walking around and seeking candid moments, also remember to stand still. You don’t want shots to pass you by, so instead of hunting, relax and let the frames come to you.
Find your tribe: It’s good to be around like minded people. In this instance that’s street photography groups. They can be online or in person. Find one that suits your personality and enjoy learning and growing together.
Use aperture priority: Many people will rush you into learning manual mode. There’s certainly value in understanding the exposure triangle. However, due to the fast-changing light in the outside world, you can miss shots if you have to adjust your exposure triangle. Instead, put your camera into aperture priority, let your camera handle the rest so you don’t miss the shot.
Change perspective: Don’t be afraid to get low on the ground or high above. Doing so can give a fresh perspective to the scenes you photograph. It also makes your portfolio more diverse and engaging.
Find footwear: You’re going to be on your feet a lot when doing street photography. Investing in a good pair of shoes is important - both for their longevity and your feet! You can find some suggestions in our best shoes for street photography article.
Different Types of Street Photography
Street photography is very much a blanket term for the candid frame. Within the craft are sub genres and below we will share some of the more popular categories. We encourage you to experiment with them all and see which one is for you. Perhaps, you’ll like them all, which is great for a diverse body of work.
Minimalist
Minimalist street photography is all about isolating your subject. You want as little in the frame as possible. It’s popular because many feel it’s very easy on the eye, calming and gives the most power to your subjects.
Fan Ho was an early pioneer of this type of photography. However, it’s disputed how much editing went into his work, and what he removed for his final exposures. It was like Photoshopping street photography but back in the days of the darkroom. Today the likes of Six Street Under and Josh K. Jackson are seen as authorities in the minimalist space.
Humorous
Funny moments are always happening in the street. They can present as coincidences, extreme juxtapositions or perfectly timed moments. We should state, humor should never come at the expense of the subject. The intention of this style of street photography is not to laugh at someone, but to raise a smile at the moment that is happening.
Jonathan Higbee is our favorite street photographer in this department. He’s got a talent for being in the right place at the right time. Anthimos Ntagkas is also great at this artforn and we strongly recommend you check out his work.
Flash
Perhaps the most controversial sub-genre is flash street photography. It’s simply the process of using flash when shooting street photography. It’s polarizing because many believe it’s an aggressive practice and one that can overly startle and scare people in the street. As controversial as it may be, it can produce some fantastic results.
Bruce Gilden is the godfather of this genre. He’s been doing it for decades. Other names that spring to mind are the Bragdon Brothers and Cam Crossland. They all produce fantastic and engaging imagery with the use of flash.
Normal Life
Just documenting everyday life is as equally valid as other sub-genres. Not every frame has to be the perfect moment, or mind blowing. Instead, it can simply be a photo of people being people out on the streets. We think this is the best style of street photography for giving the truest representation of a current time. It ages well and becomes more compelling as society moves forward.
Vivan Maier was wonderful at this, as was Helen Levitt. They both have a special talent for making the mundane extremely compelling. As far as research goes, there are two fantastic options for anyone wanting to learn the foundations of street photography.
High Contrast
High contrast involves creating images that are full of vibrant light and deep shadows. It’s a fun way to experiment with shapes and to frame your subjects within the contrasting light. You can also blend in architecture with the human element as it adds further depth to your frames.
Street photographer Polly Rusyn is one of the best in the business at this type of street photography. She is also a top educator too and has a skill for teaching others her signature style of street photography, as well as helping them find their own photographic voice.
Street Portraits
Street portrait photography differs a little from street photography. It’s not quite candid, but it’s certainly unplanned. It’s the process of asking a stranger if you can make a quick portrait of them. It can also be candid as well, if you time it right and wait for them to make eye contact with your lens, as you can see from the example above.
Amy Horowitz is a very good street portrait photographer, and we encourage you to view her on-going Don’t Smile project. If you’re new to street portrait photography, check out our ultimate beginners guide. Also, if you are nervous about approaching strangers, we encourage you to read our guide that can help you overcome your anxiety.
Street Photography Ethics
Every street photographer will have their own ethics. What is acceptable to some will be unacceptable to others. The hard and fast rule is, don’t be a bad person when doing street photography and you’ll be fine. Below are some points to consider if you want to practice the artform ethically and with respect.
Don’t escalate confrontation: Try to calm things down or walk away if things become heated.
Don’t humiliate people: Some people are at a low point in life, and this can happen publicly. Try not to document it and don’t put it all over the internet.
Avoid the homeless: Sadly, homelessness is still an issue around the globe. These people are at extremely low points and photographing them can make them feel even lower, especially in the internet age.
Don’t sexualize: Avoid images of women bending over. It’s disrespectful, unethical and in some countries, illegal.
Should you photograph children?
One topic that comes up in street photography is if it’s okay to photograph children. This is especially relevant if you're male. The short answer is yes, it’s fine to photograph children. They make excellent subjects and are full of life and joy. Apply the same ethics as you would if you were photographing an adult, and also operate with good intentions.
Some parents and guardians may confront you if they catch you photographing a child. This is understandable and we would also do the same if a stranger photographed our children. Keep that in mind and respond to them calmly and with respect. Explain what you do and why you do it. If they ask you to delete the photo, then it’s best practice to respect their request.
Study Street Photography
Learning about street photography is an ongoing process. Although this guide can get you started, there are other useful resources available online. From YouTube channels to photo books, below are some of our recommendations for where you can level up your street photography game.
YouTube Channels
Here you’ll find a selection of our favorite YouTube channels relating to all things street photography.
Paulie B
The Walkie Talkie series offers a POV experience of street photographers doing their thing and sharing their process. It’s an excellent real world view of what life is like on the street and how photographers make their shots.
Roman Fox
Roman is a traveling street photographer that takes you around the world with him. Via his YouTube channel, he discusses everything from editing street photography, gear and how to make different types of street photos. You can also learn more about him in this interview he did with Them Frames.
Them Frames
We cover all types of photography, but street photography is very much at the center of what we discuss. On our channel you can learn how to fix common mistakes, how to manage confrontation and find the best gear for you.
Documentaries
Documentaries are a top source of information, inspiration and education. Below are some of our favorites.
Fill The Frame
Directed by Tim Huynh, Fill The Frame is a street photography documentary following the stories of different photographers from the field. From sit down interviews to live action, it’s a compelling watch from start to finish.
Wrong Side Of The Lens
Wrong Side Of The Lens is a docu-series that interviews leading street photographers. Daniel Arnold, Matt Webber, Valerie J. Bower, plus many more share their experience within the field. There’s a good blend of both long form and short form video, helping you get the type of content that suits your learning style.
Photo Books
Whether it’s the best photography magazines or the best photo books, print photography is still such a great source of education. There are too many quality photo books for us to list them all. But, below is a selection that no street photographer should miss.
Magnum Streetwise: The Ultimate Collection of Street Photography
Joel Meyerowitz: Where I Find Myself - A Lifetime Retrospective
Alex Webb and Rebecca Norris-Webb: Street Photography and the Poetic Image
Meryl Meisler: Paradise Lost
Best Camera For Street Photography
Photo by Airam Dato-on
The best camera for street photography largely comes down to your personal style. A fixed-lens will suit those who enjoy getting into the thick of the action. Alternatively, an interchangeable lens camera is for those who like different perspectives within their portfolio. As a rule, the smaller the camera the better, as it’s easy to carry for long periods and stands out less in a crowd.
Below are some of the best options for street photographers…
Fujifilm X100V (or older)
Ricoh GR III (or older)
Fujifilm XT5 (or older)
iPhone 16 Pro (or older)
Canon G7X
Sony RX100 series
Leica M
Leica Q3 (or older)
Best Lens For Street Photography
Photo by Nguyen Huy
The best lens for street photography tends to be between the 35mm to 50mm focal lengths. Below we will list a range of focal lengths, plus the style of street photography they suit.
23mm - suitable for those who prefer wider frames that contain multiple narratives and layers.
35mm - perfect for those who like to document the normal everyday happenings on the street.
50mm - ideal for those who prefer an “how the eye sees” style of street photography. It’s also suitable for anyone looking to do street portrait photography.
85mm - suitable for street portraits and minimalist street photography that includes only one subject.
Lenses to buy
Leica Summilux-M 50mm f1.4
Leica Elmarit-M 28mm f2.8
Signing Off
You should now have a better understanding of how to kickstart your journey in street photography. Please use this as a guide, but also make use of the external resources we have shared. A good street photographer gets their education from multiple points of view.
The best advice we can give to a street photography beginner is to go out and shoot. The best learning comes from practice, not reading. There’s no substitute for experience and you can only gain that by consistently making street photographs.
Be patient, and accept it will take time to get to a point where you deem yourself a “good street photographer.” The good news is it’s a wonderful journey and there are many positives and joyful experiences you can gain at every point of your street photography journey.
Did you find this guide useful? What tips would you give to new street photographers? Is there another photography guide you would like us to write? Let us know in the comments. Thanks for reading.
FAQs
What is considered street photography?
Street photography is the art of making candid, unplanned images in public spaces.
What are the rules of street photography?
The main rule of street photography is that it’s unplanned and candid. There are some ethics to consider also, like not documenting people who are having a bad moment. This could be someone who is upset or homeless.
Do street photographers make money?
It can be difficult to make money from street photography. Some possible income streams include selling photo books and prints. You can also generate income through hosting workshops and teaching street photography through articles and videos.
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