I started my street photography journey in London. I grew up in London and the streets were full of stories and wonder, I only wish that I had started as a kid, as London has changed so much and it still does from week to week.
This turned out to be a crucial moment because, even though I now shoot in various locations, the majority of my work still focuses on cities and street photography.
In this blog, I want to discuss why I believe street photography is ideal for beginners. Note that this blog is intended for those who are uncertain about what they want to photograph. If you already have a specific goal, this may not be relevant to you.
You can use the camera you have, even your smartphone.
When we first started, we all blamed our gear. We thought that once we got this camera or that lens, we'd put in more effort and improve. However, in street photography, all you need is your phone or a basic point-and-shoot to get started. Is it the best method? Certainly not, but in this style of photography, gear isn't that important. Conversely, if you choose to begin with arctic wildlife photography, you'll need to invest significantly more money. The photos below were taken with a £300 compact camera. The ones below that were captured on my Smartphone.
You don’t need special equipment
Continuing from the previous point, the most important gear required for street photography is a pair of good shoes. Since you'll be walking long distances, comfort and avoiding blisters are essential. Street photography is unique in that it doesn't demand any specific equipment, it's the story and emotion that is the most important thing to capture.
You don’t need to travel far at all
Most individuals reside in or around a major city, making it an excellent starting point. Even if your town seems dull, there's likely a more intriguing location within an hour's drive or train ride. While shooting in vibrant places like Tokyo, London, or New York can be advantageous, it's not necessary to begin there. Other genres might require traveling to distant or remote areas, which can create additional obstacles to getting started with shooting.
You can start somewhere familiar
I began photographing on the streets of London because it was a familiar setting for me, which eliminated many distractions and assisted in choosing locations. By capturing images in a place you already know, you position yourself for early success. Conversely, travelling to a distant location adds the stress of navigating an unfamiliar area. Additionally, photographing a place you already know allows you to deepen your understanding of it. Before I took up photography, my knowledge of London was only 5% of what it is now.
You don’t need the best weather conditions
If you want to engage in landscape, astrophotography, on-location portraiture, or any other type of outdoor photography, you understand the crucial role that weather conditions play. For many landscape photographers, the weather can determine the success of a shot. While weather also affects street photography, it doesn't spoil it; it just results in a different appearance. This means you can shoot in any weather, whether it's during golden hour, midday, cloudy, rainy, foggy, snowy, or at night. Some of my very best photos were taken in freezing cold conditions.
You will make a lot of mistakes
From what we've discussed so far, it's evident that there are few obstacles preventing you from going out and shooting. As a result, you'll do it much more often, leading to faster failures. You'll quickly get through your mistakes, aha moments, mishaps, lessons, and wake-up calls, allowing you to advance as a photographer much more rapidly.
You learn to observe like never before, you start to predict what is going to happen
As you walk through a bustling street, you can't help but notice your surroundings. Often, it's necessary for your own safety to avoid being hit. Over time, you'll begin to notice small details that catch your attention—postures, fleeting moments, color patterns, good lighting, unusual subjects, and more. As your observation skills improve, you'll start noticing things that other photographers might overlook. If you ever have the opportunity to shoot with someone more experienced, take it, as you'll quickly realize the importance of paying closer attention. This skill will then translate into all other forms of photography and likely into life as well.
You learn people skills
Street photography doesn't necessarily have to feature people, but if you want to incorporate a human aspect, you'll eventually need to master interacting with people and gauging the atmosphere. This isn't something you can learn in a classroom, and while books like How To Win Friends & Influence People can provide some insight, true understanding will come from personal experience. You'll discover how to interpret body language, sense whether you're welcome, and approach someone for a photo. You'll also learn to handle rejection, start conversations, and eventually manage situations with upset or angry individuals. The best part is that these aren't just photography skills; they're life skills.
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