Chapter 1: A first taste

The biggest challenge for budding street photographers is to overcome their fear of shooting in the streets. Use the tips in this chapter to learn how to conquer that fear.

1. Get close! Now take two steps closer.

Robert Capa, the famous twentieth-century war photographer and co-founder of the international photo agency Magnum, once said, “If your photos aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough.” This is especially true for street photography, as getting close to your subject is an important consideration if you want to capture a compelling image.

Whether out of respect for their subjects, laziness, or shyness, photographers often try to keep their distance. As a consequence, their images often lack feeling and soul.

By getting close to your subject you create an image that feels more intimate. You make the viewer feel that he or she is there. Rather than being a voyeur looking in at the scene, the viewer becomes an active participant.

By getting physically close to your subject, you also get emotionally close. You are able to experience your subject’s perspective, which allows you to connect with him or her on a personal level and makes you feel part of the action. By getting closer, you fill the frame with more energy and action. Presence cannot be registered from a distance; it must be up close and personal.

Type in dext.mobi/ae2U to see a YouTube video of Eric shooting in Venice Beach, California

2. Show respect

Street photography should be done without permission, candidly, and from the heart. However, shooting pictures of people in public raises delicate questions about showing respect for your art form, and your subjects. Remind yourself of the why—that is, why you are shooting in the streets. Respect demands that your intention should be to capture the beauty of everyday life. For example, think twice before shooting photos of homeless people or others struggling in life. Do you truly empathize with their situation and want to shed light to it? Or are you taking photos to exploit their misery and to call yourself an artist? It’s all about the why.

Recall from the introduction what street photography is: Besides being about capturing beauty in the mundane, it is about capturing a slice of life, unedited and raw. It is about affirming the world around us and all the things we are often too busy to notice. Showing respect for your art form is about staying true to it. And this respect will help you with the why: your motivation, your intention.

What, then, about your subjects? Although street photography dictates that you should work candidly, people in many cultures will find it rude and intrusive to be photographed in public. Show respect for your subjects by considering their emotions and their reactions to being photographed (should they notice). Show respect by listening to your conscience when you find yourself in a sensitive situation. And when you are truly in doubt, show respect by asking your subject for permission.

3. Ask for permission

Because street photography should be unposed, it might seem counterintuitive to ask your subjects for permission before taking their pictures. But most beginning street photographers have at least some fear of photographing strangers in public, and a great way of getting over that fear is to ask for permission before you start shooting.

When you ask for permission, it signals that you find something intrinsically interesting about your subject. That’s flattering to your subject, and as long as you look like someone with the best of intentions (which you have, don’t you?), most people will gladly accept.

When you approach your subject on the street, remember to keep a smile on your face. By smiling, you might alleviate feelings of distrust. It also makes your subject feel more comfortable.

To break the ice, say something along the lines of, “Excuse me, I know this may sound weird, but do you mind if I take a photo of you? I find your face absolutely beautiful.” This simple icebreaker might seem artificial, but it contains some key elements. It starts by offering respect and politeness (“Excuse me”), then acknowledges the unusual aspect of your request (“I know this may sound weird”), and ends with a compliment (“I find your face absolutely beautiful”). By complimenting your subjects, you may make them want to get their photograph taken.

Feel free to exchange any or all of the phrases above to create your own icebreaker. Just remember, it should ideally contain some versions of the key elements described above.

And if your subject should decline, remember to say “Thank you!” and move on to the next person you find intriguing.

4. Ignore those who call you weird

Street photography is an art that is largely misunderstood. Many people see street photographers as “creeps” who invade the privacy of others, rather than artists who capture beauty in the mundane. Be prepared to be regarded as “strange” by the people around you—and this goes for your closest friends as well as the man on the street. After all, shooting photos of strangers without their permission is taboo in many cultures around the world.

Try to disregard what others think. Instead, go out and shoot what you love and make great images. And while you’re at it, don’t be afraid to get yourself dirty—literally. Shoot with your chest or back on the ground and experiment with different angles. When you’re waiting for the right person to come into your frame, ignore people who may be looking at you curiously. You might hear someone say, “Did that guy just take a photo of that other person?” Be aware of how others may react, but try not to pay too much attention.

When you publish your images on the Internet, people may question you. Those who don’t grasp the concept of street photography might tell you that you must ask for permission. They might tell you that publishing your street photos is wrong, or even immoral. If this happens to you, stay calm. Explain your country’s street photography laws and tell them that publishing your photos is within your legal rights. Let them know that street photography is not about exploiting people; it’s about art. Even so, some people might still refuse to listen. That’s part of life. Just ignore them.

Type in dext.mobi/Jah8 for YouTube video.

5. Conquer your fears

When I first started in street photography, I was petrified. Taking photographs of strangers without their permission felt wrong. I feared their reaction, should they catch me in the act. Whenever people caught me taking their photos, my heart would race and heat would rush to my face. However, over the years, I have come to change how I think about street photography. I have also come to change how I approach it. And in turn, the fear I used to feel is all but gone.

I advise you to try to rewire your brain. Identify exactly what makes you afraid. Are you afraid that the strangers you photograph will physically or verbally attack you? My experience is that the vast majority of people either won’t notice or don’t seem to care. Within the minority of people who do mind, some have asked me to delete their images. And really, is that something to worry about?

Learning street photography is, in a way, like learning to swim or ride a bike. You cannot learn it by simply reading books. Theory alone will not do it. You need to take action. You need to practice. You need to get out there and shoot. It’s the only way of getting over your fear. I offer no shortcuts, because I don’t think there are any. So go out there with a smile on your face, and you will be surprised how many people don’t mind.

Type in dext.mobi/Quah for YouTube video.

6. Learn to defuse tension

When you’re shooting photos in the streets, most people won’t even notice you, as they are typically lost in thought. The ones who do notice you will typically assume you’re photographing something or someone else. And even among the people who notice that you’re photographing them, some will feel honored and happy about it.

However, there is a small risk that someone will approach you and be aggressive. Should that ever happen, there are two things to do. First, look the person in the eye and offer your friendliest smile. Most often, a smile will dissipate any feelings of suspicion. Think about it: If you were doing something wrong, would you stand your ground, look the person in the eye, and smile? Second, stay calm. Offer your business card and explain what you are doing. Motivate your subject by sharing what it is you found beautiful about him or her.

In the rare case when a person continues to be aggressive, simply delete the photo and show that it’s gone from your memory card. Although street photography is perfectly legal in most countries, it might be wise to avoid getting into a fight with a stranger who insists you should delete an image. If your gut tells you that you just snapped the Image of Your Life, keep in mind that you have no obligation to erase it. Whether it’s worth a public fight with a stranger, well, that’s a judgment call.

7. Practice instant responses

When working in the streets, you need to know how to respond if you’re questioned. If a person you photograph approaches you’ll, you have about a second to react. Should you hesitate or stutter, the person’s suspicion of you and your motives might grow. So it’s a good idea to prepare and practice your instant responses.

The second you feel a questioning look or notice someone approaching, take a step closer, look directly back at the person, and—most importantly—have some good responses prepared. Here are a few you might use:

“Sorry for the confusion. I thought you were someone famous!”

“You have beautiful eyes.”

“I am a photography student. One of my assignments is to take photos of interesting people on the street, and I find you absolutely fascinating.”

“You have a smile that could light up a room.”

“I didn’t mean to confuse or offend you. I am a street photographer and I capture beautiful moments and people I see in my everyday life.”

Whatever your personal phrases, your objective should be to defuse the situation, ease any feelings of anger or distrust, and foster an understanding of what you do. Good phrases, spoken with confidence, will generally help even the most suspicious person accept what you are doing.