Some Thoughts on Street Photography

One legged man spotted in Trafalgar Square

Street photography to me is taking candid, primarily unposed photos of a person or situation, adding elements to illustrate these everyday scenes in a visual way. I prefer the term Urban Photography personally, as it covers more than one genre.

It does not need to include people, although it usually does—there is often a suggestion or visual hint of human presence (shadows, reflections), even when people are not featured directly. The interaction of people and their surroundings, with each other, and the conjunction of incidental detail all count to make a successful image.

Another key aspect of street photography is the sense that the captured scene is unplanned, with a lack of prior arrangement, although a predetermined location is useful to construct an image. A favourite location will often yield results.

Man At Work

Sneering

 The urban environment, the disorder of streets, the solitude of quiet places, all can be observed and recorded. Some pictures seem more right than others, akin to the "magic hours" for the landscape photographer. 

Immersing myself  in a city, observing and feeling the street, almost the pulse of it is a real buzz, and I find interest in the buildings, people, the discordant colors, randomness of signage, shop windows, all adding to picture haul.

Timing is imperative, the person in the right place, the shadow or reflection easy to "read", and this is sometimes difficult, when things happen in a split second. Strength of character is sometimes needed, as a possible response can be vehement, with a hard look,  but I have never found it a problem.

Most of my shots really do not make the cut to be more than record shots, although these are not to be decried, since street landscapes are changing so quickly. A new building appears and you think "what was there before" so maybe that is another form of urban photography, if you have the desire, take a whole street and document that timeline.

The Grey Man - Literally my favourite shot ever

As to gear, I think any wide to medium range lens will do, purists praise the Leica, of course, but that is out of my price bracket. I now favour my Sony RX100 II a lot, as it is so versatile, it's output quality is fantastic, and compact too. I often carry a Canon 5D II or 70D with the 24 -105 zoom lens too, so I can gather some architecture shots, and general snaps.

See Many More Here ....Street Choices

Somerset House Stillness

Now Look Here !

That Horse Lost !

Looking Attentively