It is probably one of the simplest and yet the most complicated style of photography - Street! It is simple in such a way that their isn't much technicalities required for you to produce an astounding street photo, not even on the settings.
In fact, a simple "Shutter speed priority" or "Auto" settings will do just fine. No further sophisticated gear needed in most cases. Even a simple smartphone can result to an image with strong impact.
However, like in many other simple things; behind it is a challenge of complexity.
Let me start with the environment, it's on the street which means you are not in control of the situation. Everything that is happening along the street seems so random to us. In addition, there is also a factor of intimidation added to the challenge.
Since this type of photography mostly involved a person or a group of people in it. These people didn't agree on you shooting an image of them, especially when you are at a distance that they consider their personal space.
In some countries, people don't mind about it and the worst that could happen is that you might get frowned at by taking a photo of them.
Let's talk about the possible weather condition, the street is not a studio where you have control on the temperature or even light. If the weather is bad and so your situation. You may not mind about you getting wet but your camera does. Most DSLRs are not watertight.
With all the complexities of doing street photo, it also has a ton of possibilities of creating an astonishing shot that can not be replicated by anyone at a specific time. Since it's a piece of reality whereby the elements of the image are mysteriously arranged on that exact moment of time.
So, does that mean that street photo is just based on a random click on the trigger? Or a could it be that the photographer is lucky on that day? Probably neither of those.
Their are still aspects of this style that a photographer can control.
Firstly, the location where to shoot. The best place for doing it is at areas where people gather in high quantity. It could be at the market, busy street, or at an open ground with large public event. These are the places where people don't usually mind that they are being photographed. Since there are many people that are moving around, they won't even notice that you took a photo of them.
Finally, do your best to compose the the image well. Similar to any other style of photography, it is always important to position your subject in such a way that it will look better. And so the viewer will feel better looking at it. The key is to create a strong impact for the image and to avoid the subject being awkwardly positioned within the frame.
Aim for the subject to be in alignment to the "Rule of Thirds" which you can read about from this --> article.
Another thing to consider is the use of "Leading lines". These are elements within the frame that will divert the viewer's attention to the subject of the photo. These are the things that will tell the viewer to focus on a specific part of the image, the subject of the photo.
All images: source
If you wish to check out the recent articles about photography; feel free to click on the post links below with their respective titles.
Posted from my blog with SteemPress : http://photocircle.repollo.org/2019/03/11/photocircle-digest-street-photography/