Depending on your point of view, street photography is one of the easiest or most difficult genres of photography one can pursue. The barrier to entry is low, with a small camera and fixed lens all you need to start shooting. Just step out your door and capture what’s happening on the streets of your town, and you’re a street photographer. The thing is, while it’s easy to get started with street photography, it’s not easy to create compelling images.
Many street photographers operate in stealth mode and try to capture candidates without asking permission. The goal of a live photographer is to capture scenes exactly as they happen naturally. Any intervention by the photographer ruins the ability to produce 100% realistic images.
Many street photographers find their images best when shot with a focal length of 35mm or wider. This requires the photographer to be close to the subject. If the subject notices the photographer standing nearby, the subject may change their behavior, making it difficult to capture what would have happened had the photographer not been present.
Another approach is to be more direct and just ask for permission before taking a photo of someone. This seems easier because the photographer does not need to develop the skill of being discreet while taking pictures. In practice, however, the direct approach is difficult for many photographers because it requires the photographer to deal with rejection if the subject doesn’t allow it. Many photographers consider themselves introverted and feel most comfortable hiding behind the camera in social situations. Approaching strangers and asking for permission to create a portrait is not a good idea for them.
I recently shot a video with The Raw Society Co-Founder, Jorge Delgado-UreñaI, in which we showcase both of these methods of street photography. Although Jorge demonstrates a straightforward approach in the video, he has a particular interest in street portrait photography. “Portrait personifies a story and puts a face in direct contact with your viewer. The story starts off as something very personal because someone is looking directly at you through the lens or the lens of the frame. The important part here is that you have to understand that portrait photography is a beautiful thing and people will often tell you that being photographed is a great experience, they will share with you the things that you will love. unthinkable, without you even asking.” Jorge said.
Watch the video for details on both approaches as you watch Jorge and I photograph the streets and subway tunnels of New York City’s Times Square.
