Mastering Street Photography: What Should You Look Out For?

11/05/2024 ISO 1200 Magazine 0 Comments

The heart of a city beats in its streets. Street photography captures the essence of a city, telling the story of its people, culture, and the energy that flows through its veins. Today, we join Tim Northey on a day in Tokyo, as he shares techniques that elevate street photography from simple snapshots to powerful storytelling. This video distills his insights, providing you with actionable tips and strategies to make your street photography truly stand out.

Key Elements to Elevate Your Street Photography

Learn how to master composition, capture fleeting moments, and use light to create captivating images that tell a story.

📸 Seek Pockets of Light
Urban areas provide a playground of light and shadow, with tall buildings casting varied shapes and patterns. Seek patches of light in streets or alleys, especially in bright conditions. This approach not only highlights the subject but also adds depth and contrast to the scene.
🖼️ Use Foreground Elements for Depth
When overcast conditions or flat lighting threaten your creativity, enhance your frame by incorporating foreground elements. Shooting through windows or using reflective surfaces helps build visual layers and interest, making compositions feel immersive.
🎣 “Fish” for Moments in Pre-framed Scenes
The photographer emphasizes the “fishing” technique: finding a compelling scene and waiting for the right subject to enter it. This approach ensures that the story is rooted in the environment and allows spontaneous elements to shape the narrative.
🔎 Focus on Scene-Based Photography
Rather than focusing solely on people or action, observe unique backdrops that give the location its identity. Scene-based photography often produces distinctive images because it reveals the character of a place, with the subject complementing rather than overpowering the setting.
📍 Capture Unique Details
Small details, like lanterns in Tokyo’s alleyways, can become signature elements in your photography. Details add variety and help tell the broader story of a city when combined with other types of shots, enriching any photo series.

You may also like: 5 Essential Street Photography Tips & Techniques All Pros Use

About Tim Northey:

My journey as a photographer started as a side hustle purely for the LOVE OF IT. Eventually I took the plunge and decided to quit my job as a physiotherapist and pursue my passion wholeheartedly. Since this time I've worked with a huge range of international clients while constantly growing my own portfolio and audience online. Whether photo or video I'm always looking to push myself further and further in all that I create. My mantra is create to grow and I'm a big believer in constant growth and exploration