Street photography for beginners: try it yourself
This is the practical for the lesson. Work through it in order. Nothing here is a test of memory. Keep the lesson open if you need it and check the instructions as often as you like.
Aim
You should discover that street photography can begin with observation and timing rather than approaching strangers.
What you need
Your own camera or phone, enough battery power to complete the exercise, and a memory card or free storage space where your equipment requires it. You do not need to buy anything specially for this practical.
Do this step by step
- Choose a familiar public place where you feel comfortable.
- Spend five minutes without taking a photograph and identify three possible backgrounds.
- Choose one and frame it before anyone enters.
- Wait for a person, bicycle, shadow or other moving element to reach a useful position.
- Take the photograph and then try again with a different timing.
- Finish with one photograph that contains no identifiable person, using light, signs, reflections or architecture instead.
What should happen
You should discover that street photography can begin with observation and timing rather than approaching strangers.
If it does not work
Stop rather than changing lots of things at once. Check that the camera is switched on, the battery has charge and the card or storage is available. Then return to the last step that definitely worked. If a named control is missing, your camera may use a different name or menu location. Check the manual for your exact model. Never force a card, battery, lens, door or control.
Before you finish
Explain out loud, or in one sentence on paper, what you changed and what happened. If you can explain the result in your own words, you have understood the exercise. If you cannot, repeat the part that was unclear.