5 Things I Do as a Street Photographer

A lot of street photography comes down to being ready, paying attention and leaving room for something unexpected.

Here are five things I do when I’m out shooting.

1. Always have a camera with me

An interesting moment doesn’t wait for a planned shoot. Sometimes I’m just walking somewhere when something catches my eye. Having my camera with me means I can do something about it.

2. Keep it ready

My camera is around my neck, with my hand on the shutter. Having it buried in a bag is very different from having it ready when a moment happens.

3. Keep testing the exposure

I shoot in manual, so I take test shots as I walk and adjust for the changing light. Moving from shade into sunlight can change everything. I’d rather make those adjustments before the photograph presents itself.

4. Find a frame and wait

Sometimes the setting is already interesting. It just needs something to happen. I’ll frame the scene and wait for a person, a gesture or an unexpected detail to bring it together. It doesn’t always happen, but it’s worth giving it a moment.

5. Experiment with the same scene

I’ll shoot the same scene with different settings just to see what happens. A slower shutter or a different exposure can completely shift the feeling. Sometimes the version I didn’t plan is the one I like most.