Street Photography Tip: Have a Reason

A quick tip that improved my street photography and made me more comfortable working closer to people when shooting:

Make sure that you have a reason for taking a person’s picture before you press the shutter:

• if you’re spotted, you have something to say. You’re ready to smile and say “I love your hat/style/energy/the way you were sitting” or “You look great” etc. It has to be genuine — bullshit is immediately transparent. This diffuses potential confrontations and creates a brief but warm connection. It makes the interaction feel fun and playful, rather than creepy and uncomfortable. Almost all successful people photography is about making the subject/s feel comfortable — and if you aren’t comfortable you are never going to set people at ease.
• much of online ‘street photography’ depicts random people, shot from too far away, wandering around. There’s no character, drama, or humour on display. It’s boring. Making sure you have a reason for each picture isn’t just a hack to avoid arguments, it leads to better images. If you seek a ‘why’ for each picture, you become more selective. You aren’t merely snapping whoever walks past or seems less intimidating to you. Instead, you’re sensitised to what is notable about people and situations — strong emotions, interesting gestures, punchy outfits, characterful faces, strange juxtapositions. Like all creative pursuits — success is as much about refining your taste as it is about sharpening your skills.
• lastly, if you might interrupt someone’s day you should have a reason for doing so. In street photography, you’re collaborating with the world — and so it’s important that you treat your subjects with the respect they deserve.