Introduction Street Photography
There is no universal definition of street photography after. Unique Street Photography. It is about capturing fleeting moments of everyday life, the aesthetics, the humor of every day, but also situations that make you think – so you will find in the portfolios of Fototgrafen the most diverse approaches.
Common to many actors but a basic idea, namely the respectful treatment of people. It should never be shown uncritically to people in distress or in compromising situations, no one should be put on display – the first question will always be, how would I react to such a picture of me.
What is Street Photography?
Street photography is a professional way of taking pictures of people and their experiences in public places, without having to show the street. The origin of the word ‘Road’ means time and not place. The time (on the street) can be when a couple is walking, a man is exercising, or a woman is walking in an open area surrounded by working people.
Public places should not be on the street. Some public places like a cafe, malls, markets, or even a garden can be used as public places. The concept of interest may also vary. For example people, events, equipment, equipment, weather, shadows, and more.
In other words, taking pictures on the streets is like seeing what is happening in the community. There are no tricks or specific instructions for the person in the picture to do anymore.
The bad news is that it can be stressful for photographers, especially for those who are unable to remain calm under pressure. Often people do not like their photos taken by a stranger. They may yell at you in anger or ask for their photos to be deleted.
A guide to taking unique street photos
If you want to stand out from their photographers, you have to come up with a few things. There are several ways to do this. For example, choose an interesting focal length or lens that other photographers don’t use. This way you create a unique point of view. You can also shoot analog because hardly any photographers do that these days. This creates photos that no one else does.
Social media and street photography
Social media opens up a whole new world of possibilities for you as a photographer.
The reach-through of Instagram or similar services is unmatched. Your photos will be shared worldwide and your street photos will get the attention they deserve.
Best hashtags for photography
As mentioned earlier, Instagram is a great platform. Social media, and Instagram in particular, is a valuable tool that you can use to your advantage. Instagram hashtags play a crucial role in this. It is not that easy to find the appropriate hashtags for Street Photography Hamburg. Therefore, it is recommended for newcomers to focus on niche hashtags, because these find little use. This way even unknown photographers can be found quickly.
How do you take good photos on the street?
The smaller, lighter, quieter, and faster your camera is, the better.
You never know when something interesting may happen on the street. And this is exactly the moment you need to prepare for. This is where a small camera comes into its own because you don’t have to dig it out of the camera bag. Because you can always have it ready to shoot in your hand. As a result, you will not miss any great moments. Besides, even with small cameras, the image quality is more than sufficient – so don’t worry, the pictures will look great.
Regardless of the size, it’s important to know your camera well so you don’t lose time later when you’re shooting and need to adjust a setting. I know that today’s cameras have incredibly complex menus and some settings are hard to find. We all have to deal with that. But much more important than these hidden settings are the basics of photography: shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. You should at least master these three things and how they relate to each other if you want to focus on your subject and your surroundings.
Great pictures- the small things are often decisive
Of course, it’s important to choose a pleasing main subject. But for a good street photo, you need more ingredients. The background and the light can turn a good picture into a fantastic one. So make sure to find an atmospheric urban backdrop that will add even more depth to your photo. The light is also crucial. Neon lights, clouds, and fog create a special atmosphere. Your street photo will stand out and remember.
But it is often quite different virtues that are important for good street photos
Curiosity, creativity and the irrepressible desire to really see/discover that one moment worth seeing. In the same way, a vision, i.e. an idea of what you want to photograph, also helps with image composition.
No question, in this process of seeing, discovering, and walking, I need a tool in my hand. But in the end, it is not decisive. This tool must meet my requirements and help me to implement what I see.
Street Photography in a different way: Deep in the night
The main difference is the type and variety of lights, as well as the subjects you can find on the street. At night, the light is much lower and comes exclusively from artificial sources, on the streets you can usually find small crowds and people dressing up for an evening out. Also, as we all know, some things happen only at night, which provides a great opportunity for distinctive photos.
For all the above reasons, it is very important to keep in mind the main principles you need to follow if you want your nighttime street photos to stand out.
Street photography: what is allowed.
Is it even allowed to photograph people without their permission?
As explained earlier, Street Photography has a documentary nature. Since the point is precise to photograph people and situations as they are or as they happen, you should arrange as little as possible. But you don’t have to rule out the possibility of staging in general. If you see an interesting person, you can simply approach them and ask if you can take a photo. This is a great way to capture intimate portraits of someone in their natural environment. And asking costs nothing!
But of course, in every country the legal situation is different. So first inform yourself about what allows and what is not. Germany is quite liberal in this regard. Here street photography considers an art form. Thus, you allow photographs of almost anything you want. Regardless of this, you should always respect the privacy of the people. So in case of doubt, delete a photo if a person demands it.
The best places for street photography
Street photography can do wonderfully in all many big cities. But my personal favorite is Hamburg because the city offers everything that photographers usually look for:
Urban worlds, quirky people, variety, and dynamics. But Hamburg has much more to offer, so if you like street art and graffiti, this is the place to be. You’ll also find quite a colorful mix of culture, pubs, clubs, and bars.
Read more: Why Should you Consider Fine Art Photography for Prints?
