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How to: Street Photography


Street photography is a challenging and rewarding genre of photography. It requires you to be in the right place at the right time, and more importantly, it requires you to have a keen eye for the moment that will make your photo stand out from the rest.

Here are 5 tips on how to shoot street photography:

Tip #1) Camera settings:
When shooting street photography, you don't want to be messing around with your camera's settings too much—they'll just distract you from what's really important. So start with a good baseline setting—ISO 100 and f/8, or ISO 200 and f/5.6—and then adjust from there based on how much light there is at any given moment.

© Janet Vuong

Tip #2) Play with shadows:
Street photography is all about composition, so if there are shadows present in your scene, play with them! Use them as leading lines for the eye to follow throughout the image (think about using them like a road sign!) Then, play around with different angles until you find one that works for your photo, keeping in mind that shadows can create beautiful textures and patterns that add depth and interest to an otherwise flat scene!

© Janet Vuong

© Janet Vuong

Tip #3) Try creative angles:
Shoot from high above or down low—experiment with different perspectives until one really clicks for you! We're all so used to looking at things straight-on that sometimes we forget how interesting they can look from an angle we don't usually see them from (like above or below). Give it a try!

© Janet Vuong

Tip #4) Look for interesting shapes, patterns, and leading lines:
If there’s nothing particularly striking about what’s happening around you or your subject (like a person), then look for other shapes that might be more interesting – such as those created by shadows falling across a wall. Patterns can help add interest to an otherwise boring shot – look for them in clothing or architecture. Use leading lines to draw attention where you want it most – the main subject of your photo should be placed directly along these lines so that their impact is maximized.

© Janet Vuong

© Janet Vuong

Tip #5) 5. Find your own style:
The best way to do this is just by shooting lots of photos and experimenting with different lighting conditions, angles, lenses, etc. until something clicks for you.

© Janet Vuong


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