What makes a good street photography photo?

Street photography is the art of capturing moments on the street. To take great street shots, photographers must be spontaneous and be able to observe their surroundings in ways that capture a story or candid emotion. Good street photography photos are often characterized by sharp images, vivid colours, interesting subjects and dynamic compositions. Additionally, photographers should aim to create pictures that evoke some feeling or convey a narrative without any judgement or bias.

Introduction

Street photography is an art form that can capture everyday life in a meaningful way. From candid shots of people interacting to images of the architectural elements in urban settings, this photo art can be both dynamic and evocative. Learn what makes a good street photography, and learn some tips for capturing great images on the go.

What makes a good street photography photo?

Look for Interesting Moments and Interactions.

Street photography is all about capturing the vibrancy of daily life. Look for interesting moments and interactions between people, from meaningful conversations to unexpected incidents. It’s also helpful to keep your eyes open for patterns, shapes, colours, and other elements in the environment to create striking compositions that draw viewers’ attention.

All great street photographs have one thing in common: they carry a powerful message or emotion. While light, shapes and faces can play into creating a successful and effective image, they should not be the only factor to consider when looking at a potential photo. Great street photographs should make the viewer think, feel something specific, or recall a story or idea.

Use Angles to Add Interest.

As with any kind of photography, angles are an important tool for creating interesting images. Experienced photographers know how to use angles to draw in their audience and direct attention exactly where they want it. By angling your shots you’re able to create distinct views not easily predicted, as well as highlight elements otherwise invisible to the eye such as lines and symmetry that can really take a photo up a notch. Playing around with different angles can also help make scenes more dynamic, full of energy and vitality.

Pay Attention to Light and Shadows.

One of the most useful techniques for creating a successful street photography shot is to pay attention to light and shadows. Use natural light to guide the eye towards subject matter and emphasize shapes and patterns. Exploring contrasting qualities – bright subjects against shadowy backdrops, for example – can keep your viewers interested in discovering what’s visible in the shadows. Not only does this technique give you an opportunity to experiment with visual contrasts, but it also allows you to create emotionally charged images that really draw viewers into a scene.

Focus on Lines, Shapes and Compositions.

While light and shadow can add an extra layer of interest to street photography, good composition is essential for creating standout images. Start by experimenting with lines, shapes and patterns to create visually appealing compositions by drawing the viewer’s eye around the image. Straight versus curved lines or contrasts in shapes can help lead the viewer along a journey through your photograph, ensuring that parts of the photo don’t get overlooked or ignored. As well as this, why not try out different shooting angles and focus points such as shooting from high vantage points to capture scenes from above or playing around with zoom-depth-of-field settings to discover stunning new camera perspectives.

Don’t Forget the Backgrounds and Contrasts.

Great street photography shouldn’t just focus on the subject at hand, but also on its surroundings. Look out for interesting backgrounds and contrasting elements which will add extra dimension to your photographs – a vivid backdrop; reflections in windows; striking signs or banners; details like graffiti, store fronts, architecture or bright colors that are sure to attract the attention of viewers. Contrasts can also be found by shooting street scenes deep in the shadow or capturing a person walking against the light. By incorporating all these features you’ll soon build up a portfolio of other-worldly images that capture life on the streets.