3 MUST KNOW Tips for Better Street Photography
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 มิ.ย. 2024
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Here are 3 must know tips for better street photography! Whether you're shooting on a Fuji setup with your x100v or X-E4 or a Leica M6, these tips can apply for beginners wondering how to shoot street or for the more experienced folks looking for better compositions.
#streetphotography #howto #tips
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IG: / whoschrischu
Website: www.chrischuphoto.com/
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While I am not qualified to give any input or opinion on the subject of street photography, I will say it's refreshing to see people disagree with one another in a respectful way here in the comments! A great example of good, mature conversation.
I agree! People are pretty in-depth with their opinions (albeit some are more passionate than others). I don’t think I completely disagree with anyone in this comment section
Chris is really him. An honest guy with great great tips and humility. 👏
Damn, man. I appreciate the big love
Love street work, it’s literally how I started shooting portraits and it really helped me understand composition, light play, and how to capture emotion. It led me to shooting weddings actually, and I feel it really made my wedding style. Big fan of street work, it’s a lot of fun when you don’t have a model but want to shoot portraits.
"A person's back tells me more than the front" - Saul Leiter
Yup. Personally prefer backs. Leaves so much to the imagination.
I appreciate you sharing your opinions so publicly. I don't want to re hash what other commenters have already said but something I would like to address is your assertion that using a longer focal length or not getting up in someones face is "lazy", it's just different styles. Sure you are taking more risk getting in someones face but as you said that doesn't make it a better photo inherently, so if it dosen't make it a better photo is it only better because you were acting risky or brash? That seems odd when all that matters are the results. Plenty of street photography masters have shot on telephoto lenses and saying that people aren't doing anything new by shooting long or shooting silhouettes is pretty dismissive of different working styles that can produce results that are different and new because, like all other moments in street photography, times are always changing leading to new cultures and behaviors to photograph. That said the approach to street photography of getting up in peoples faces isn't new or different at all either. If I can wax poetically about the art of street photography here, I've heard some street photographers talk about the two main styles of street photography: hunting and fishing. If you are hunting you are out on the crowd getting all up in there, if you are fishing you are finding good light / compositions / a spot something could potentially happen, and you are patiently waiting. In my experience its way harder to fish, having that level of patience is daunting when I have fomo about potentially all the other shots I could be getting around me. Thanks for making this video and getting people to engage in the comments with the different styles of street photography!
Edit: Also, out of the photos you showed at the end the one you said was a "terrible terrible photo" elicited way more of a response from me than any of the others, I honestly found it to be quite touching. Especially the hand of the person on the rail. Don't box yourself in saying black and white is a cliche, it's completely different and in some ways, imo, can be more honest than color.
What I love about street photography is how challenging the genre is. You have to push yourself in order to get great images. I’ve struggled to shoot Street for years and yes I’ve done several backshots because I was chicken 💩. I can say I’m comfortable with capturing peoples faces and it’s improved my work immensely. I’ll say yes and no to your back photos because while it is lazy, if done the right way they can come out great. It’s also important to study the street photography greats.
Very much agree with these! Great video Chris.
Shooting back photos are really good when you trying to show affection, like couples holding hands, or childrens and parents, you still can make something very powerfull with the right subject
Your points are right on target, especially regarding shooting the backs of subjects. Excellent video.
Let's get this guy to 100k!
it's a slow crawl to the finish line, man
I love this video, but not because I agree with you. Why I love it is that we each have things about "street" that we like and don't like, but the most important thing in this type of photography (social documentary realism) is telling a human story. I personally don't like frames where eye contact is made, don't like backs of heads, silhouettes, human figures used as shapes only for compositions sake, flash "in your face" shots, but I sometimes break my own rules to tell a story.
To me, a great "GenPop" (general population, you know, like prison?) photo is one where the photographer is a ghost capturing a real human moment, combining the painting and composition understanding of HCB, the realness of Frank, the humor and mundane of Erwitt, and even the reaction of emotion of Gilden.
Too many times we all fall into a trope and think that's what we "do". Oh, red bag, red sign, silhouette, band of light...I've got it all! But if it fails at transferring a story, or human connection, it's a different type of photography.
"Street Photography" is a terrible name. Social Documentary Realism, is more accurate, but sounds terrible...that's why I like GenPop. Just like a prison yard, the worlds we capture are microcosms of the bigger us, whether that's a small town in Kansas (Jim Richardson's Cuba, Kansas) or the wanderings of a Nanny (Vivian Maier) in Chicago.
I really enjoy your videos and photography!
Can't wait to buy the book 👏
Thanks it was AWESOME. I’m new to photography & completely obsessed, went out first time last weekend in public with camera to a seafood market on the beach and the best photo is of a DJ - now I know why, he was looking right at me! Wasn’t sure if what I had done was right until just now, thank you
All good points, generally I agree that following these tips will improve your street photography results, but I would add a caveat for #2 - I think there is a TON of merit to street photography with a tele lens IF you do it in a way that is more creative and complex than just photos of people with bokeh. The obvious example is Craig Whitehead @sixstreetunder who mostly shoots on an 85, but very closely finetunes his subframes and combines a bunch of elements along with human subjects to create the most amazing photos. Imo the beauty of street photography is the fact that you can do it with any gear, but I do feel its important for beginners especially to understand the importance of creating intentionally vs just taking pictures of people for the sake of it, and tele lenses especially make things 'easier' and therefore you have to challenge yourself more to get a good photo
Valid points no doubt… I think street photography is missing two most valuable aspects these days… 1- interesting Light 2- composition. Too many shooters just snap without the thought of these points, just subject matter and emotion isn’t enough to make a great street photo.
you must be looking at the wrong shooters then man! Plenty of talent out there currently doing exactly what you say is missing in "street photography these days". Also if you seem to think this is a problem why not go out there and fix it / do it yourself?
@@darkwhale-og9ig do you have any recommendations to check out?
@@edwardfreije753 eatenbyflowers, paulie b, when dov cries, ilyan, davidsunsguam, the vetiver to name a few
I appreciate the “opinionated” caveat, but I personally shoot abstract street photography with a 50 primarily. And often you can’t see people’s faces. It’s just silhouettes (not harsh light high contrast) and layers. I do not have an issue with getting close at all, I prefer to spectate rather than interfere with the scene. That’s just a style preference. I really like your channel, but this one was a miss for me. Do you shoot street enough to give an informed opinion. Some of the all time greats have shot primarily telephoto, (Saul Leiter) and have strong timeless work. I hope this is received with respect. 🙏🏾💯
I appreciate your input. I knew my opinions and standards wouldn't be received by all, but that's serves a point I made in the video in which I say that street photography is broad. There is for sure an artistic value in street photos that aren't disturbed by the photographer's perspective; a spectator's POV like you said. It's just personally hard for me to feel impacted (although at times I am) often enough to appreciate that side of street like you enjoy it. We may disagree, but that's totally okay with me. I receive it with respect
@@whoschrischu appreciate the reply and the fact that you we’re vulnerable enough to put your opinion out there even if you knew the feedback would be mixed. Constructive dialogue on TH-cam is uncommon but always refreshing. Either way keep up the good work man.
Wow love your photos
Great tips! Curious what your take is on editing film scans Chris?
Street photography was my passion, wedding photography was my bread and butter. Shooting weddings will get you past your fear of photographing people close up. I agree with most of your opinions. And it’s not an easy way to make a living, but it’s the most rewarding experience ! I’m going to subscribe for awhile, because you are interesting, informative, and clearly good at what you do ! Thanks, Rick….. 📷
we love you chris chu !
love you right back, bro!
Um . . .I really don't agree with several of your premises about shooting methods that, for you, constitute so called "bad" or "lazy" street photography. First, I live in a country where photographing people's faces carry definite legal risks and hassles (like the subject telling you so, arguing with you, following you, demanding to see your photos to make sure they're not among them [this has all happened to me] and even threatening legal action or physical altercation). Also, I really don't agree with your generalizations that using a telephoto for street photography is "lazy". Tell that to André Kertesz, a veritable *pioneer* of photojournalism and street photography. Shooting someone from behind or not showing a face is "lazy" street photography?? No, but really; Are you joking?? Sorry, but here you're really off target. Tell that to Louis Stettner ( "Brooklyn Promenade"). . . or *Cartier-Bresson* (Hyéres bike; the puddle jumper; Srinagar, Kashmir, etc. etc.), or to Elliot Erwitt (dogs witha TELEPHOTO). I think you might be projecting your own self-limitations and self-restrictions as if they should apply to everyone else. They shouldn't. Sorry to speak perhaps too honestly, but I need to prove to those photographers - especially beginners - who are reading this that this is *not* just my "opinion", but is backed up in fact .. so they will hopefully not similarly limit themselves, as you have. The only "rule" for any Artist should be: Do WTF you want in order to get your point across ... with or withOUT the face in the photo, painting, sculpture... That's why it's called expression. ... It's Art, not commercial photography or photojournalism, which, to me, DO and should obey certain "rules".
yikes
Damn... its just his opinion man 😂 wrote a whole book
@@dylanbernadina4767 Well, at the very beginning, Chris invited our "thoughts and opinions", so I just accepted the invitation! Plus - he's an influencer, right? So I just felt it important that photographers (again, especially *beginners* ) will be influenced in the right direction! (By the way, that doesn't mean that he doesn't makes several good points! For example, I agree and have always said that "Humans 'see' in wide angle" .. But we 'think' in telephoto! ;)
I personally don't enjoy street photography as much. As you mentioned with the subjects arguing and shouting at you and etc I feel like that is something that turns me off from street at least getting up close and all.
@@Mocha_122 I agree with you, but that's one of the reasons I simply find interesting aspects to photograph from behind, or - don't forget - not *all* street photography even has to include people, at all (Ever hear of Walker Evans? Ernst Haas? Even Vivian Maier has a few of those)! Don't give it up!
7:40 For me thats the best photo you have shown in the whole video.
But like almost everything else, having different styles and opinions is what makes photography better.
I'm not sure I totally agree with the "you-should-be-using-18-mm-and-get-close" take. Only because some of the GOATS of street photography used 50mm and created stunning work that made you feel like you were there. In terms of lenses, I think you should shoot what you're comfortable with and the overall look you want to go for. No doubt, getting close with wide angle is a vibe and make some dope photos, but it's not he be-all, IMO.
Wide angle lenses and "get close" is really more a contemporary composition phenomenon. I also think it's a function of some laziness as zone focusing with a wide angle is easier than on a standard 50mm. The great mid-century street photographers shot on 50mm. Cartier-Bresson, perhaps the most renown, started as a painter and stated that painting remained his actual passion. I don't think there's a coincidence that the greatest street photographers shoot 50mm as the greatest art about real life was painting. Realist painters, like Hopper and Bellows, were forerunners to street photography. They didn't paint landscapes or fancy portraits. Their art was about the mundane subjects of everyday urban life - very modern for the day. These painters didn't paint in "wide angle." They painted how we see the world, which is most similar to a 50mm focal length. I think you can see the influence of late 19th and early 20th century realist painters on the mid-century street photographers. The compositions are very similar and much more elegant than the "if you're photo isn't good enough, you're not close enough" school.
And, by the way, there are several renowned street photographers who use or have used ZOOM lenses (Harry Gruyaert and Martin Parr, for example). This fixation on wide angles and fixed lenses is the stupidest thing ever...
You are not wrong, and I quite enjoyed the video. Still, I have come too see street photography as a spectrum running from content to aesthetics.
There are two schools where the former is more concerned with catching funny/intimate/etc moments, embracing chaos often with less regard for light, color and composition. This is perhaps the more 'true' school.
The latter is more concerned with minimalism/implied presence/etc. The picture will not work unless the background is also carefully considered.
Scoring high on both is incredibly hard, but when it happens the photo gods have an orgasm, and we as photographers have a keeper.
With this in mind I would say your first two points are not ends in themselves, but rather helpful tips in achieving point three, the overarching goal of content.
If you are still with me, rather than grading the example pictures I would like to place them in one of four quadrants:
The 1st - Have content and aesthetics
2nd, 3rd and 4th - Have some content, but low on aesthetics
5th - Have neither
(Also I would not discourage beginners by calling out clichés. You should keep at the clichés until you have mastered them, but self editing is key here.)
My 2 cents, anyway
Welp I felt personally attacked by this 😂 thanks for the brutal honesty lol! Gotta go back out there and just shoot more and closer 😤
I think it really all depends on the type of street photography you are doing not everyone is trying to copy everyone else with the 28 mm crooked up close shots that literally dont look like anything
Some people focus on the actual scene with a 50 mm some go for a specific feeling with the telephoto more cinematic look I guess either way street photography is a genre that’s really hard to get an actual great photo out of so whether it was shot on a 28 up close or farther a way at the end of the day a good street photo will get recognized by most street photographers and the focal length and everything won’t matter just the photo itself
for sure! there's an audience for both cases you present. As I showed in the last part of the video, I've taken 28mm shots that don't mean a thing and are quite terrible! The contextual wide shot from a distance is still a valuable perspective to fill in the street genre whether it's on the 50 or 28. I provided advice that was very opinionated and contrasted with most tips videos on TH-cam, but street is a broad genre and everyone can play
@@whoschrischu for sure it’s a genre that everyone tackles differently it’s also a genre with very little control outside of the gear used but that’s what makes street fun you have to work to get certain frames nothing will just be perfectly laid out for you with you moving so I understand that lazy aspect of a telephoto I used to think the same until I saw certain peoples work with different focal lengths and saw that great shots can be made with anything
It initially takes guts and courage to get started. Once you get past that then the skill needs to be developed.
100% agree. The courage aspect is prob the toughest hurdle in street photography
@@whoschrischu thanks Chris! Love your channel. Can’t wait to see you shoot more with the 35mm V4 summicron KOB !
I believe this video is one of the most objective and matured “street photography tips” I’ve seen. Those of you who disagree would likely come back to this years later and find new meanings. We should realize a photo of a random generic subject from far away (or no subject at all) isn’t necessarily a street photo just because it happened on the street. Maybe they’re better as landscape or cityscape photos. Street photography should be expressive and intimate.
thanks so much for the love! I agree that street photography that has impacted me has had a very intimate and expressive look to them :) I hope some of these viewers do come back to this video in the future and see what I mean :D
I think you are confusing distance and wideness. A shot from a distance is not necessarily wide and it might not even include any landscape/cityscape at all. You're thinking of photos taken from a distance with a 28mm lens...
85mm is generally considered an ideal focal length for portraits, for crying out loud...
Using a wide angle in the streets is cooked, I find I have to get wayyyy too close for comfort - however I love using a 50 for depth, isolating space and pronouncing light.
I don’t necessarily agree with calling photographers lazy for using telephoto or shooting further images. As long as it is intentional and you know the compression and impact of your lens. Personally I think a 28mm zone focus is lazier than an intentional image made with a longer focal length. Images can get a good environment even with telephotos. Just lazy calling people lazy for their approach if it differs from your own style.
40mm is the GOAT and I won’t hear otherwise.
You and i need to have a word.
is that a @Faizal Westcott video in the background?! Amazing!
Faizal is the man!
@@whoschrischu he truly is!
I usually shoot people from the front as well, but last month I thought "why not shoot people from behind for a change?". I added in some rules to the images, like it could only be that one person in the shot and they needed to be in the centre. Individually, the shots weren't that interesting. Together, as a set of images, well, they still weren't that interesting! 🤣
With respect Chris, I disagree with street photographers (such as yourself) taking and posting photos of children and teens - that is a line I would never cross. It is possible to take artistic photos of people without showing their faces (this has been done effectively by countless other photographers) or exploiting their privacy. I do love your channel but I believe we can improve our photography without only shooting street style. I think a conversation around the ethics of shooting people is a conversation that isn’t had enough. I personally would be very upset if someone was photographing my children/family without permission. I send my best wishes to you and all in the photography community. And I appreciate the dialogue you are starting. Take care, stay safe and be well everyone.
Awesome take. I draw the line with children and homeless people. I have to say, though, that while in public, you give up certain levels of privacy. Of course I am not posting names or social security numbers as, well as keeping in mind not to post sensitive information. I say that to say that I don't believe it's as intrusive as people may think it is. Of course, I use common sense. I don't mean to generalize; I loved your take, though. It's something that I always am aware of.
Its definitely worth having a conversation in today's age. When it comes to children and homeless I always ask.
We shouldn't look at artists with such malice. There are no bad intentions on street photography.
Perfect response. Despite identifiable details in my street photography, I’ve tried to find good light, composition that takes away details of subject and allows for space/place. In my eyes, often they are the best images.
Unfortunately some people think just because there’s no laws for/against street photography - allows for them to do whatever they want, which lacks a great deal of understanding, empathy and social responsibility for members of the community being photographed.
Disagree
I can see Faizal’s eyebrows from here 😄
I love Faizal's videos. I think he offers a great set of art and photography that does contrast what I said in this video, but he serves as a huge inspiration to any street photographer esp for those who are nervous about participating in the art form
I've been wanting to do Street Photography with my students, but its not the safest genre especially when someone gets triggered on the street when you take their photos.
actually it's said that 50mm mimic the human eye the most
I'm not sure just heard it all the time and it's also what Google says
when you say that youtubers use 16 mm, are you taking about full frame 16mm or cropped 16mm (equivalent to 24mm) ... i know this is an annoying question but still important i think, and I am honestly curious about this ... :), also actually nice usable tips :)
I'm talking about 16mm focal length :) nice and wide
I like the video, but I think you should talk a little bit more about the fact that all of street is different, and the line between street and documentary and other kinds of photography is really blurry sometimes.
mainly, everyone has their own spin on street photography, your way of doing it is a very specific one, so, maybe instead of street photography, specifying that this is and I have no idea what to call this, but kind of action street photography, or maybe saying that it's like the works of that guy or this guy might be good.
I recommend watchin "Street Photography" it gives a great history and overview on the different street photographers of New York City.
I agree with this take! I'm also, sort of, lost where the line is between street & doc since I've been dabbling in the latter in the past 6 months. My style is very subjective, and I'm very much aware of it. I think my main goal was to provide contrasting perspectives + tips that the majority of TH-cam is broadcasting right now; however, I'm not trying to call anyone out in a malicious way. I do understand the language I used in some of the tips kinda comes off that way, but at the end of the day, it's just my opinion :)
Is that Faizal in back!? 😂
Wow! u r animated (authority?) & i can see u have deut. equipment. 3 must know tips ?
I got 3 things decades ago, (prob. all ?) from a book by a Chinese press photographer, one of which is heart. { A few yrs ago I read about him still hiking w/ groups (fototogs?), he has to be well over 80 yrs old } . I have quite a few memorable photos of people (30 deg?) from the back. With his CLE the (late?) Senator Baker , from the back, got some good photos of a president addressing the masses in public. U flashed a photo of Washington Sq.Park . ok. for yrs I could be found in the park w/ a rangefinder, a TLR or a lazy man's tele zoom.
W/ a lazy 75-200 I had eye contacts (if that is a must) w/ the d_g dealers. It was hard not to laugh when I made them look so stupid, one of them looked like a comedian whose name I never knew. I've never owned a tv in my life. By the way, I got my first leica after shooting
for only 20 yrs. u don't need to join the red-dot brigade to docu. streets and those minor
groupees put up so much air these days. U provided all failures to illustrate ur 3 tip. could
you please come back in 5 yrs w/ successes to illustrate by then 10 must knows. Thanks.
yo people are not subscribing to a dude who is so close to 100k
but why tho
Hey Chris! Just out of curiosity, but do you delete or not use photos if someone tells you not to use it? ily as a homie, but it would make me uncomfortable if someone I didn’t know used a photo of me without my permission. It would make me even more uncomfortable if it were my nephew. Coming from a parental point of view, it is scary since there are child predators out there who are “pleasing” themselves while looking at children’s photos. I trust you and I know you’re a respectful person, but I think I’m just more worried about the photographers that have zero boundaries.
If someone does ask me to delete the photo, I will. Most of the times I do shoot on film, so I can’t delete on the spot but I usually tell the person that I won’t post them online (and I follow thru all the time).
I totally understand the perspective of the parent esp with the more than valid fear of child predators out there with cameras. I’m not discounting that feeling at all. I come from the combined perspective of “you’re in public so it’s fair game” and “I want to make tasteful art”.
I never take photos of homeless people or people inside their homes from outside. I do, however, take photos of genuine human excitement (which younger ppl are more prone to expressing) or scenes I find humorous.
It’s a risky game I play, but if anyone knows me, I’m not a predator at all. I do respect all people tho and I do push boundaries to make art
For those complaining. Just remember that CCTV cameras film all of us all the time without ‘consent’. a Photographer that takes your photo in a public area where it is legal is a honour and you should be stoked. You made a artistic person feel inspired.
Just here to show Chris Chu some love. He’s a dope guy, and tbh everyone is entitled to their opinion and approach to art. It’s subjective and unique. If you don’t agree then make your own video expressing your opinion and approach and link it down below
Appreciate the support, Reggie!
Cant show us your work 😅
Great video tho
2:25 Pierre T. Lambert has left the chat. And hopefully he will never return back. Ever.
Man, the field of view of the human eye is 43mm...
Capa, who's famous quote is used by every 28mm shooter around, used a 50mm lens.
"Studies have measured the cone of visual attention and found it to be about 55 degrees wide. On a 35mm full frame camera, a 43mm lens provides an angle of view of 55 degrees, so that focal length provides exactly the same angle of view that we humans have. Damn if that isn’t halfway between 35mm and 50mm. So the original argument is ended, the actual ‘normal’ lens on a 35mm SLR is neither 35mm nor 50mm, it’s halfway in between." (from "The Camera Versus The Human Eye" on PetaPixel - after three times trying to post a link to the article, I decided to try this instead)
No more back of the head shots but also that shot of someone walking into the lit part of the frame with dark shadows. We get it, you like Fan Ho but like try something else please 🙏🏽
Everyone has photographers they draw inspiration from, and Fan Ho is a great photographer to look at.
@@dannycardenas3898 omg absolutely! Not taking anything away from him, just tired of seeing the poor imitation of his work.
Oh yeah, that isolated subject in the sunlight is also quite a cliche
@@whoschrischu copyings become cliche
and black and white isnt Cliche'.plus your opinion on those images... :facepalm: the baby pic.. trippin.
None of these tips you can do in Germany I guarantee you. Try to take pictures of children on the street here (as in your examples). Here you can also be nice as you like, it is not going to work. People are unrelaxed, don´t trust you, always become super aggressive - this is at least my experience i have made here in Germany.
but of course thanks for the tipps - will try them in my next holiday :D
Can I get my 11:06 back? lmao... This might have been you being "honestly opinionated" but You should return whatever book you memorized all this random information from. And plus youre gauging this off a camera that no beginner photographer would even consider owning lol. Try this again with a Minolta Hi-matic or something Kodak Retina lol
It’s clear, you have nothing to do with street photography
50mm is similar to what our eyes see...
sorry but it's not, it's about 22mm-24mm but it depends on the person's eyes
Ya those photos sucked. At least you're not delusional.
Respectfully, I think that film photography is kind of like poo and digital photography is kind of like pee. What do you guys think though? Like my comment if you agree.
only tip you need for street is to keep at it / not give up