What makes a great street portrait? Is it the lighting, the composition, or the subject themselves?
Street portrait photography can seem daunting for a beginner, but with the right guidance, anyone can master it. With our essential street portrait photography tips, beginners can now capture stunning street portraits that truly stand out.
Let’s dive into 15 essential tips that any beginner can use to master the art of street portrait photography.
By the end of this blog, you’ll have the skills and confidence you need to take captivating portraits and tell stories through your photography.
Table of contents
- 1. The Art Of Observation
- 2. Seek Natural Lighting
- 3. Choose The Right Lens
- 4. Connect With Your Subjects
- 5. Be Respectful & Ethical
- 6. Utilize Negative Space
- 7. Pay Attention To Backgrounds
- 8. Tell A Story
- 9. The Art Of Candidness
- 10. Play With Aperture
- 11. Pay Attention To Details
- 12. Try Black & White Portraits
- 13. Shoot In RAW
- 14. Don’t Be Afraid To Use Flash
- 15. Edit With Care
- To Sum It Up
1. The Art Of Observation
Before you even lift your camera, try to observe the world around you. Train your eye to spot interesting subjects, unique backgrounds, and compelling moments.
Street portrait photography is all about capturing people and their stories in everyday settings. To begin, sharpen your observation skills by keenly observing your surroundings.
Notice the unique backgrounds that can add depth and context to your portraits, such as graffiti-covered walls or bustling city streets. Be patient and attentive, as interesting moments can unfold in an instant.
2. Seek Natural Lighting
Lighting can make or break a photograph. As a beginner, it is best to opt for natural light whenever possible. Soft light creates a flattering effect, highlighting the features of your subjects without harsh shadows.
Morning and late afternoon are great times to shoot, as the sun is lower in the sky, creating a warm and golden light that adds a touch of magic to your portraits.
Are you planning on starting your portrait photography journey? Check out this list of best portrait photography courses available online.
3. Choose The Right Lens
Selecting the right lens can greatly enhance your street portraits. A prime lens with a focal length between 35mm and 85mm is a popular choice. This range is widely favored by photographers because it provides a natural perspective that closely resembles what the human eye sees.
Additionally, these lenses enable you to maintain a comfortable distance from your subjects, preserving their privacy and ensuring they feel at ease during the shoot.
Remember, picking the right lens is like finding the perfect tool to bring your street portraits to life, so select one that fits your style and vision.
4. Connect With Your Subjects
Building a connection with your subjects is crucial for authentic street portraits. Approach people with a friendly smile, engage in conversation, and show genuine interest in their stories.
When they feel at ease, their true personalities will shine through, resulting in more natural and captivating portraits.
So, take the time to connect on a human level, and watch as the authenticity of these connections becomes the soul of your street portraits.
Want to master street photography? Check out this ultimate course.
5. Be Respectful & Ethical
Respect the boundaries and privacy of your subjects. Not everyone may be comfortable having their picture taken, so it’s important to be considerate of their wishes.
Always ask for permission before taking their portrait. Additionally, be mindful of cultural sensitivities or restricted areas. Treat everyone with kindness and gratitude for allowing you to capture their essence.
Want to learn how to capture awesome outdoor portraits? Check out this list of tips for outdoor portrait photography.
6. Utilize Negative Space
Negative space refers to the empty areas in your photograph. Use it wisely to create a balanced composition and draw attention to your subject.
By adding negative space, you give your subject room to breathe and stand out against the background. It can add a sense of serenity or emphasize the significance of the moment captured.
7. Pay Attention To Backgrounds
The background plays a crucial role in street portraits. Look for complementary or contrasting elements that enhance your subject’s presence.
Look for clean backgrounds that allow your subject to be the focal point. Simple walls, open spaces, or even a blurred background can provide a clean canvas for your subject to shine.
Check out this interview with James Maher and learn more about the twisted simplicities of street photography.
8. Tell A Story
One of the key aspects of street portrait photography is the ability to tell a story through your images. To achieve this, keep an eye out for expressions, gestures, or interactions that reveal a story.
Look for subjects who exhibit a range of emotions or engage in interesting activities. Pay attention to the small details that can speak volumes about their personalities or circumstances.
9. The Art Of Candidness
Candid moments are the heart and soul of street portrait photography. Learn to anticipate and capture true expressions, fleeting gestures, and stolen glances.
Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and approach your subjects with respect and curiosity. Allow them to be themselves and let their unique personalities shine through in your photographs.
Looking for portrait posing inspiration? Check out this ultimate bundle.
10. Play With Aperture
Experimenting with aperture allows you to control depth of field and create amazing bokeh effects. Use a wide aperture (low f-number) to blur the background and draw attention to your subject’s eyes and emotions.
With practice, you’ll develop an understanding of how aperture impacts the visual impact of your images, allowing you to create captivating photographs.
11. Pay Attention To Details
Details add depth and richness to your street portraits. Zoom in on captivating accessories, interesting tattoos, or weathered hands. These details tell a story within the story, showing the intricacies of your subject’s life.
Remember, every accessory, mark, or texture is an opportunity to unravel a story within the story.
Learn old school street photography with expert Alex Coghe in this comprehensive course.
12. Try Black & White Portraits
Black and white photography adds a timeless touch to street portraits. It adds a layer of nostalgia to your images. Black and white gives your pictures a classic and emotional feel.
If you’re using a digital camera, you don’t have to take only black and white photos; you can convert your color images to black and white in post-processing to experiment with different effects.
13. Shoot In RAW
To have greater control over post-processing, shoot in RAW format. RAW files retain more data, which enables you to fine-tune exposure, white balance, and other factors during editing without compromising image quality.
While it may require more storage space and a bit of extra time during the editing stage, the flexibility and control over the final image are well worth it.
Learn how to unlock your earning potential by doing volume portrait photography for membership directories.
14. Don’t Be Afraid To Use Flash
Don’t hesitate to experiment with flash as it can add drama and light to your pictures.
It will help you to provide additional lighting to your subject that the natural light cannot provide. This will help you to adjust the lighting according to the effect that you want to create.
Flash can sometimes be a bit overpowering, so experiment with different settings to find the perfect balance between flash and natural light.
15. Edit With Care
Post-processing is the cherry on top of your street portraits. Enhance colors, adjust exposure, and fine-tune contrast while keeping the final image true to your vision. Use editing tools to refine and bring out the best in your photographs.
While editing is a creative process, it’s important to remember that the goal is to enhance the original image rather than completely changing it. With practice, you’ll develop your own editing style.
Check out portrait photography pricing guide to help you market better.
To Sum It Up
Street portrait photography can be a rewarding genre of photography. To be successful in this area, you need patience, skill, and creativity. But with the tips mentioned above, you’re well on your way.
Remember to be patient with your subjects, experiment with different techniques, practice and improve your skills.
Don’t limit yourself to the tips provided, and let your creativity soar when you take your next photo. There’s no better time to start, so go ahead and capture those unique moments, and tell your story through your lens.
Did you find this blog helpful? Feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions, comments, or reviews.
To see more of our blog content, visit our BLOG PAGE!
