First attempt at street photography

[Destin]

I'm a pretty confident landscape photographer these days, but I've found myself getting too comfortable with my photography, and I'm not really pushing my limits anymore. I've found myself lacking motivation at times, so I decided that it's time to try and learn a new genre of photography. Street photography has always interested me, so I'm going to give it a shot!

Took my first photo walk around Rochester, NY a couple days ago. It was nice to get out and walk around, but I found that street photography is totally foreign to me. I really struggled to see compositions, and I found myself uncomfortable photographing people on the street - but that's kind of the entire point of giving this a shot, so I'm going to keep pushing through it.

Anyhow, here are the best four photos from my first attempt at street photography. I'm not in love with them, but I enjoyed taking them and that's the important part.

All photos shot with my 55-200 at the shorter end of it's range. I tried using my 35mm but it just felt too short most of the time.. I probably need to get comfortable being closer to people when I photograph them.

C&C absolutely welcome as usual.

 

[Original katomi]

For a street photographer newbi you are off to a good start
As you say you could be closer
For what it’s worth here are my bits of advice as I like to street photography
Here is how i work
I find a place to sit(I am disabled and can’t walk far)
Pre focus on where you think the action will happen and pre set your camera iso, s speed and f stop
Just check every so often
Watch what is happening after a time you will be able to predict what will happen next
Eg a sweet shop will have people opening bags just as soon as they exit the shop
Be patient
Here in the uk photography of children can be risky, outraged parents who think you are a no good.
So I don’t photo kids
In the years I have been doing street photography I have been challenged twice
Once was an undercover police officer and someone who worked with (protected) kids and did not want photos of him
A polite reply and moving on if asked avoids agro
One last thing
If it don’t feel right or safe don’t do it

 

[Destin]

For a street photographer newbi you are off to a good start
As you say you could be closer
For what it’s worth here are my bits of advice as I like to street photography
Here is how i work
I find a place to sit(I am disabled and can’t walk far)
Pre focus on where you think the action will happen and pre set your camera iso, s speed and f stop
Just check every so often
Watch what is happening after a time you will be able to predict what will happen next
Eg a sweet shop will have people opening bags just as soon as they exit the shop
Be patient
Here in the uk photography of children can be risky, outraged parents who think you are a no good.
So I don’t photo kids
In the years I have been doing street photography I have been challenged twice
Once was an undercover police officer and someone who worked with (protected) kids and did not want photos of him
A polite reply and moving on if asked avoids agro
One last thing
If it don’t feel right or safe don’t do it

Thanks so much!

 

[Original katomi]

You are welcome if I can help you know where to find me

 

[jcdeboever]

Street photography is more than people. Follow the light, looking for shadow. Focus trapping people in interesting light is advantageous. College towns are pretty good areas if you want to capture people, they're more acceptable as it is common. Night photography opens up opportunity for interesting light. Architecture is good. Walk slow, look carefully, follow the light. Talk to people for permission on street portrait. Walk around at night, look and journal interesting light pockets / spots. Bring a friend at a later date and do some portraits. Go at night and look in windows, sweaty windows and neon light offer reflections og color and subject. The x100v is a great street camera. These guys are pretty informative.

https://youtube.com/user/lafotoboy

https://youtube.com/user/JohnFreePhtography

https://youtube.com/c/olafphoto

 

[Jeff15]

Nice set......

 

[Destin]

Street photography is more than people. Follow the light, looking for shadow. Focus trapping people in interesting light is advantageous. College towns are pretty good areas if you want to capture people, they're more acceptable as it is common. Night photography opens up opportunity for interesting light. Architecture is good. Walk slow, look carefully, follow the light. Talk to people for permission on street portrait. Walk around at night, look and journal interesting light pockets / spots. Bring a friend at a later date and do some portraits. Go at night and look in windows, sweaty windows and neon light offer reflections og color and subject. The x100v is a great street camera. These guys are pretty informative.

https://youtube.com/user/lafotoboy

https://youtube.com/user/JohnFreePhtography

https://youtube.com/c/olafphoto

I love a lot of this advice, and interesting light is what I went looking for.

Unfortunately the day I went out was snowy and totally overcast. No shadows anywhere, perfectly flat even light. No puddles for reflections because it’s all frozen. I don’t live in a huge city so options are limited.

Pretty much found myself just looking for interesting shapes and people.

I’m super excited to get out on some rainy summer nights later this year, and take some trips to bigger cities when life allows.

 

[jcdeboever]

Street photography is more than people. Follow the light, looking for shadow. Focus trapping people in interesting light is advantageous. College towns are pretty good areas if you want to capture people, they're more acceptable as it is common. Night photography opens up opportunity for interesting light. Architecture is good. Walk slow, look carefully, follow the light. Talk to people for permission on street portrait. Walk around at night, look and journal interesting light pockets / spots. Bring a friend at a later date and do some portraits. Go at night and look in windows, sweaty windows and neon light offer reflections og color and subject. The x100v is a great street camera. These guys are pretty informative.

https://youtube.com/user/lafotoboy

https://youtube.com/user/JohnFreePhtography

https://youtube.com/c/olafphoto

I love a lot of this advice, and interesting light is what I went looking for.

Unfortunately the day I went out was snowy and totally overcast. No shadows anywhere, perfectly flat even light. No puddles for reflections because it’s all frozen. I don’t live in a huge city so options are limited.

Pretty much found myself just looking for interesting shapes and people.

I’m super excited to get out on some rainy summer nights later this year, and take some trips to bigger cities when life allows.

Overcast... think graphic. B&W. Or saturated velvia simulation to bring out color in a muted canopy.

 

[K9Kirk]

A real good start but the one thing I feel was missing is the feel of the streets, the grittiness. These almost seem too sharp and clean if you get my drift. Maybe some in B&W with some added "grunge" would be an improvement. Getting in a little closer to bring out more detail would help with bringing out the grit & grunge, they seem a little flat at distance, maybe that's from the lighting. IDK for sure. I don't do street photography but I do know what I like in it.

 

[Space Face]

Some good advice here to help you with what I think are good efforts and a fine start in your venture into this genre.

 

[mountainjunkie]

From someone who knows next to nothing about street photography, I'd say these were better than expected reading the intro to your thread.

I think the photo with the (I'm assuming) homeless person next to the "space for lease" sign has a lot of potential for those who want to read or apply meaning into a photo. From a technical perspective it needs something but I can see how the conditions made it tough. Can't tell if the subject is out of focus or just dark...perhaps try to bring up the shadows in PP to brighten him/her? Could look decent in B&W as the dirty snow in the foreground doesn't add much IMO. (Just guesses here, again not my area of expertise...not that I have one. lol)