The Benefits of Street Photography
Credit: Craig Boehman
Street photography has all kinds of benefits. I want to share a few of these with you because even if you’re not a hardcore enthusiast, you might be surprised by what the genre can do for you if you decide to pursue it even occasionally. I’m personally working on my ninth year of shooting street photography and I hope to be doing it for decades to come. Here’s what I’ve learned so far.
Become a City Expert
Credit: Craig Boehman
I’ve lived in Mumbai for more than a decade. During much of this time, I’ve practiced street photography. Thankfully, I’ve had the privilege of knowing a lot of great people who’ve shown me around to places that would have probably taken me longer to discover, if at all.
Mumbai is such a big place! Over twenty million people are situated in 233 square miles. The ninth largest city in the world. Surrounded by water (yes, it’s technically an island), there are countless thousands of micro-locations to explore. I’ve come to learn where some of the best locations are for street photography over the years I’ve spent here.
If you live in a city and you shoot street photography, you’ll pick up new locations to explore. The genre has a way of making you see the place differently. It’s only once you’ve acquired the eyes of a photographer that you start to see potential where perhaps there was no inspiration before to prod you on to explore from another perspective.
Don’t worry if you live in a smaller city or don’t think you have any tourist attractions. Even though I love Mumbai for its street photography potential (I think it’s the best place in the world), it doesn’t really have any tourist attractions. Case in point: can you name one site in Mumbai where people from around the world flock to specifically? No? That’s because there aren’t any worthy of roundtrip tickets, at least in my opinion. But for street photography…it’s a bonified mecca! Over time, you’ll realize this too about your own city or the closest one that you visit regularly.
Tip: If you’re out of ideas of places to visit where you live, ask a street photographer in your city. Google them if you have to. Chances are there’s someone there who can point you in the right direction.
2. Learn to Photograph Strangers and Deal with People
Credit: Craig Boehman
If you haven’t taken pictures of strangers before, especially asking them for a portrait, you’ll pick up the skills that you need to take portraits and candid images. It may take a lot of practice and time to overcome any anxiety that you might have, but it’s well worth the effort.
The above shot is of a farmer whom I visit occasionally in Aarey Colony in Mumbai. He’s always up for conversation and likes to pose for pictures. There’s a certain joy that I feel when I have a conversation with a subject before and after picture-taking sessions. I typically gravitate towards candid street photography but I don’t mind switching things up. Typically, these exceptions are made when I’m showing clients around or people who are on photo walks with me.
Task
Up for a challenge? If you find yourself uncomfortable approaching strangers, it’s time to stretch your boundaries. If you live in a highly populated area, set yourself the task of asking 100 strangers for their pictures. If you live in a small town, ask 25 strangers. Doesn’t matter if they say yes or no. If they say no, move on to the next person. If they say yes, then you’ve got some work to do!
Once you start doing this and getting comfortable, you’ll discover that asking people for their pictures when you really want them won’t be difficult at all. Then it’s all down to your photography skills. You may also find yourself dealing with people overall in a better way, at least in a way that’s geared towards photography and getting the shots that you want.
3. Get Faster as a Photographer
Credit: Craig Boehman
What I mean by speed is your overall ability to recognize a shot, frame up, and take it. This probably doesn’t matter for many genres because usually there’s no need to rush like you in street photography. But what I’ve discovered after a few years of shooting street photography is that the experience has made me naturally faster when I’m shooting other kinds of photography.
For instance, in portrait shoots, I’m in a state of mindfulness and readiness that’s borderline OCD. I’m just always ready, always “on”. That’s because the brand of street photography I shoot can be fast-paced and I’m used to being alert and with my finger on the shutter button, camera raised and in front of me. It’s like being trained for war and retiring to a small town that has almost zero crime: you’re vastly overprepared and overqualified for the job. Your instincts kick in before they need to kick in. You were ready yesterday for the shot.
There are things that you can practice to become a better, faster photographer. But with experience, this all comes nevertheless. Street photography is one of those genres that will benefit your overall photography in the long run. You will become a better, faster photographer after a few years under your belt.
There’s a Whole Lot More
I could talk about a few more line items that apply to me personally but which may not apply to the vast majority of people reading this. For example, I love to walk so street photography complements this passion so very well.
Also, because of my love for street photography, I’ve begun running my own street photography workshops. Because I’m a virtual city guide, am not afraid of photographing strangers, and know my way around a camera, it was the natural conclusion for me to start doing this professionally.
Tell us about any benefits you’ve experienced after doing street photography for some time in the comments below.
