Street Photography Workshop

So I’ve embarked on this journey to shoot street photography. Since I typically tend to observe things in depth, I find the city and its’ activity interesting. I like the interesting looking people from the fashionable young ladies to the distinguished old timer.

I recently took a photography workshop on street photography for the purpose of simply getting the shot. I was finding I would see great images but I was not ready, hesitated or just didn’t have the “stones” to take the shot.

So here is a recap of some of the things I learned.

1) The primary issue with shooting street is mental. We feel we are taking something from someone and invading their space. Part of it may be our own resistance as photographers to have our own pictures taken. Our instructor Eric Kim, in a sense, gave us permission to shoot street. It’s legal, many people enjoy it, it’s not hurting anyone, it can make people feel special and can produce some really compelling images. We are doing it for the art.

2) Next is your attitude. Your attitude plays a large part on how people perceive and react to you. If you feel you are doing something sinister you will come off guilty and suspect. Your attitude affects your body language. Your body language gets picked up by those around you. Hey, it’s OK to shoot street!

If you command confidence and carry a smile, people can be quite receptive and welcoming. Once you begin shooting, all of a sudden you are in the pilot’s seat. People begin to look for your direction from you and respond very well to instructions and appreciate compliments and positive feedback.

3) It is really about your intension. Are you there to exploit someone’s situation and document their personal ugliness or capture their strength, courage uniqueness, expression and beauty. I like to capture what is special about my subject.

Angelo (AJ) a photog from the Philippines said that in his country they have something that is call poorism. This is where those who are well to do go into the poor areas of town as a tourist attraction. It is really exploitive. It is something to think about when shooting the homeless on the street. Unless you’re taking a compelling image or raising awareness, the homeless are simply easy targets. It’s all about your intention.

Misc Thoughts

• Always wear your smile
• Often the meanest looking people can be the most friendly
• The worst thing that may happen is that they ask for you to delete their image.
• Taking street photography isn’t really as spooky as you make it out to be.
• Many people like to have their picture taken – it can make them feel special

 Conclusion

• It’s mental – Get in the proper head space about street photography. You are cheery picking the street’s special moments.
• Attitude – People reflect what you put out there. Put on a smile and say thank you.
• Intention – Shoot with caring and heart. We are not just shooting things. We are shooting real people with live just like us and since we spotted them, we are shooting special people. So treat them that way.

If you are intersted Street Photography, I highly recommend Eric Kim’s Street Photography Workshop. It is a great experience and you will walk away with something you just can’t learn from a book. Check him out at http://erickimphotography.com/blog/

Also I would like to give a shout out to Jason Martini a guest instructor who is also a talented streetog. Good stuff  at http://www.flickr.com/photos/mr_martini/  

A couple of images from the workshop . . .

Motorman

 

Preach in the Streets

And Then There Were Three