Learning lessons in street photography

 

Promenade Festival, Tramore

Train station, London

Pride Parade, Vienna

Two young Vikings, Waterford

Woman posing, Vienna

Familiar sight everywhere

 

 

 

More often to be found sneaking up on hares in the wild, I was recently asked how to take photographs of people in public places. This made me realise that I must have made some progress in what was once such a huge challenge.

A few things have inhibited my street photography. There’s my own shyness, the way certain people react so negatively to a camera, and the impulse not to interrupt the flow of some one’s private life. Over the years I’ve learned how to capture relaxed scenes in public places but mostly of people’s backs!

There is a distinction here between what I see as urban”portraits” like Humans of NY and “street” which I would define as casual and candid photography of the moment…..think Vivian Maier  Her street shots of a strangers tell a story in a particular way. It doesn’t matter who it is or where, her images always captivate me.

While photographing a context, an event, a building, sometimes it’s just a blessing when some one literally walks onto the set. Other times I am interested in a face, an expression, a pose. I like reflective and grounded people who are staring meditatively into the distance…….well they kind of remind me of hares and rabbits but that’s another story!

Tending to draw more on the contemplative aspects of human nature, I have a particular soft spot for watching elders and their individual body language. There’s also an ethical aspect to how I would want to portray some one and although I hugely admire documentary and human rights photographers I am reluctant to snap people in all their vulnerability.

In case like me you are slowly building up an interest in street photography her are three tips I’ve learned from my experiences over the years.

1. The best way to study other human beings is where everyone has their cameras out, festivals, parades, weddings, etc. People are so much more relaxed and everyone is at it….small camera phones are perfect for this.

2.  If I pick up unhappiness in people when a camera is produced and if I can’t find a way for them to be more relaxed I just stop.

3.  I am wary of photographing children unless I get specific permission. (Yes technically you are legally entitled to photograph anyone in a public place, but I think it’s best to get a nod from the parents……)