Improve Your Photography

One of photography’s most important roles is to create a visual record of the society in which we live. Our understanding of what life was like for people in any given time and place over the past 150 years comes largely from photos taken at the time. Street photography is about capturing candid moments of everyday life in public places, and is strongly embedded in the DNA of image making – indeed, some of the earliest photographs ever taken were of street scenes. It’s also a genre associated with some of the greatest photographers of the 20th century, including Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Doisneau, Martin Parr, Diane Arbus and Vivian Maier. Documentary photography is a related genre that’s more focused on telling in-depth stories exploring events, issues, groups or individuals, usually with their…

Mobile phone Smartphones are capable of taking great street shots – they are light, portable and discreet. Some models have similar levels of control to a camera. Mirrorless camera Delivering great results without weighing you down, mirrorless cameras are a great choice for street. The Fuji_ lm X-T3 can shoot 30 fps and offers a resolution of 26.1MP. Spare batteries Carry plenty of memory cards and spare batteries with you when you’re out shooting. If your camera has a double card slot, use it as backup. Prime lens A quality prime, such as the Zeiss 35mm f/2.8, can be great for street photography. Instead of using a zoom, be brave and move in closer. Shoulder bag A bag should be comfortable, waterproof, and discreet. The Billingham Hadley Small Pro’s inserts can be removed to convert it into a ‘casual’…

Only a few decades ago, the term ‘street photography’ didn’t really exist. But while more formally posed portraits and urban or rural landscapes were fashionable in the 19th century, a lot of early travel and documentary photographers were, of course, taking photographs of street scenes. By 1897, French photographer Eugène Atget was taking images of a Paris he saw expanding and developing quickly. As well as capturing old buildings, he was keen to record ordinary people on the streets, and how they lived their lives. Atget went on to influence future generations of big names, including Man Ray and the surrealists, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Diane Arbus, William Klein and so on. Martin Parr, arguably Britain’s best-known photographer, along with David Bailey and Don McCullin, is also best known for his street…

Public right of way If you’re on a public right of way – such as a public pavement, footpath or public highway – you’re free to take photographs for personal and commercial use so long as you’re not causing an obstruction to other users or falling foul of anti-terrorism laws or the Official Secrets Act. Pictures of people Photographers can use their pictures of people taken in public places as they wish, including for commercial gain. While this is reassuring, common sense does need to be applied. A lot of pedestrians in the UK won’t react favourably if you go right up to them and shove a long lens in their face. Sensitive subjects Take care where children are involved, and you also need to be sensitive to cultural and religious differences (when taking photographs…

Alan Schaller ‘There are certain things that can be enhanced in black & white, such as shape, structure, line and even human expression. I made it my mission to do something fresh – a modern twist on B&W. I started off emulating others but found my own direction once I had the skills.’ Alexey Titarenko ‘For long exposures you need to work with a tripod. Shooting with a tripod in the street may get you into jail, even in New York. I developed strategies for keeping a low profile!’ Marina Sersale ‘Be patient: if you wait long enough, something interesting is bound to happen. Be ready with your camera or phone, and when you’re at home do your homework. Study other photographers who inspire you.’ Jay Maisel ‘Humour is the saviour in a horribly conflicted world. I…

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