JPG Magazine: Stories: Ten Tips: Street Photography

Ten Tips

Street Photography

By Andy Cole

19 September 2008

Street Photography is what got me into taking pictures. I started out as a teenager skateboarding downtown and photographing my friends. 1.)The first thing I like to do before I set out on a photographic outing is to pick a subject matter so I am looking for something specific throughout the day. It may be water faucets, fire hydrants, pigeons whatever appeals to you. 2.) You don't have to limit yourself to black and white. Color is not the traditional medium for street photography but it dose have its benefits. 3.) Alley ways, sometimes it's best to get off the main street and venture behind buildings. You can find very interesting things in and around dumpsters. 4.) Gear: I live in Miami, Florida where everyone tries to scam and rob you. I use a Crumpler 4 million dollar home to carry my kit as to not look like I'm toting a camera bag. 5.) I live downtown at the moment so it is easy for me to take photos of the city at night. You can get some great shots with moving light at slow shutter speeds and a tripod. 6.) People: people will often let you shoot them if you ask. And sometimes it works best when someone dose not know they are being photographed. 7.) Wildlife in cities is very interesting to me. My city is surrounded by the ocean and the Everglades so we get all types of wildlife in our city streets. Birds, snakes, turtles and so on. 8.) Development: Document your city being built new buildings under construction, old ones being demolished. 9.) Technology: technology changes so preserve it for the ages. You don't often see phone booths anymore, or kiddie rides so photograph things that will identify a period in time. 10.) Public Art and Landmarks: these make great photographic subjects. They tell the history of where you are and where you're going.

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