Initially, I wanted to share some tips on street photography for beginners, as my oldest son is beginning his side hustle doing photography. But, instead of focusing on candid street photography, I want to just share a few basics to get you started.
But, first. If you are unfamiliar with what street photograph is, it is candid photography of people and humanity.
Simply put, street photography aims to capture everyday life in public places, particularly in urban landscapes, and typically the person isn’t even aware that they are being photographed (below).
But, in my case, I was very aware that I was being photographed, so we can’t technically call this street photography unless we focus on the fact that it was outdoor at the Sipyard.
Sipyard, 204 W Main St, Urbana, IL
The Sipyard is one of the most unique places that I have experienced. They are the only beer garden in central Illinois that operates out of a shipping container which is located in the middle of downtown Urbana.
The space is shared with an amazing outdoor graffiti gallery which makes for an amazing photoshoot location during the day.
In the evening on weekends, however, you can enjoy good beer specials, live music, and events. Their season runs for six or seven months usually starting in April running all the way to early November.
Now that we’ve covered a little background, let’s jump into some photography basics for beginners.
Use Whatever Camera You Have Until You Can Get a Better One
One thing that I have noticed in myself and others is that we tend to immediately want the very best camera. But, here’s the thing. We need to normalize the idea of just getting started with what you already have.
Perfect your skill along the way and when you have the money to upgrade, so so then But don’t let not having the latest and greatest camera stop you from getting started with your photography.
In fact, you can even get started using your phone’s camera or a disposable camera, if necessary.
The goal is to just get started.
If You Want Street Photography, Get in the Mix
If you want to take street photography with people in it, you’ll find that going to downtown locations make it a lot simpler because these areas are typically saturated with people. But, with COVID-19, you may want to steer clear of largely populated areas.
You can perform street photography in less densely populated locations, but you’ll have fewer possibilities to include people in your shots.
In this case, you can always work with a model and encourage them to walk off and do their own thing, while you take photographs.
Use A Lens with a Focal Length Of 35mm
If your equipment allows for it, you may want to shoot with 35mm, as it tends to be the most popular. However, there’s much to be argued for 35mm being a helpful focal length for all sorts of photography since it provides a close representation of what the human eye perceives naturally.
Start With Short Photography Sessions
Another thing to keep in mind when beginning is that you want to keep your sessions short. If you are photographing people without their knowledge, they could become upset. But, if you use a model, the model is already a part of the plan. Simply agree on a short session to give you the practice that you need and not tire out the model. As you begin to get better, extend your session times.
Take Single Subjects and Center Appropriately
When shooting a single subject, the natural inclination is to frame them in the most visible way possible: in the center of the frame, with the subject’s entire body or face, generally straight on. When done correctly it works out great for an ideal and balanced shot. After mastering your single shots, begin working on various angles.
Final Thoughts
Being that I’ve had a passion for photography since I was a little girl, I’ve learned a few tips and tricks along the way. But most importantly, I always use the camera that I have and just capture the various moments the best way I know-how. Now, that I have a son, I’m teaching him a few tips and tricks that I’ve learned along the way and want to share with you, as well.
This post contains affiliate links.
