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Star Letter
Streets ahead
enjoyed the street
photography article
by Ross Harvey in
N-Photo 103. For me
personally, I define
street photography as
not simply capturing
what people are doing in
their environment, but also
an emotion they might haveat that time. Often, an
emotional change in their
facial expression only lasts a
fraction of a second, so you
have to anticipate it and
shoot it quickly.
This is rarely easy to
achieve, but the more you
observe people’s behaviour
and anticipate what might
happen next, the easier
getting good shots is.I
Frank offers such extensive advice on photographing life on the
streets that he might even give Ross Harvey a run for his money!I have spent the last year,
or three, trying to perfect a
technique or two that get
successful shots with a wide
range of cameras and
lenses. Here are my
conclusions...
Less equipment is best.
One camera and lens works
and does not intrude
significantly on those being
photographed. Mirrorless
works better than a DSLR,
especially with a small and
discrete lens, like a 35mm.
Never hold the camera up
to your eye. Many subjects
will change their behaviour
and you could lose a
potentially great shot.
Instead, either look down
at the upturned LCD screen,
or just shoot from the hip.
At many events, such as
classic car shows, there are
some individuals with great
character. Normally, I simply
approach them, we discuss
their car, and I ask, “Can I
take a few pictures?” They
never say no, so you have an
opportunity to get shots of
the vehicle with them, and
often on their own.
Go where there are great
opportunities. I live close to
Cardiff and, on big match
days, like Wales playingEngland, there are
opportunities aplenty.
Likewise, when on holiday in
popular ‘touristy’ locations,
such as Venice or Rome,
nobody takes notice of a
single photographer.
Don’t expect every shot to
be a keeper. Last year when
Wales played South Africa,
I was happy with probably
only 10 shots, but I must
have taken over 200!
To be successful, like
most things in life, requires
some planning combined
with hard work. But good
results are very rewarding.
Be prepared to take time to
learn how to be successful.
Your technique will take a lot
of practice. What method
works well for you may not
be a success for someone
else. For example, I tried
using my mirrorless camera
set up wirelessly with my
iPhone – it was not a
success for me. I found
shooting from the hip
yielded better results.
Anyway, enough about
street photography. Thanks
for a great magazine.
Frank WheelerThanks for sharing your
excellent advice, Frank!Readers’ letters
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READERS’ LETTERS