Documentary photography: Why you don't have to travel far

Most people say they don't have enough inspiration for photography in places they live. At least not for documentary and street photography. And as most people are limited when it comes to travelling with both time and money, it might be a problem. But here is a fact: YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO FAR TO FIND YOUR INSPIRATION. And there's why:

Street photography: Tips on how to overcome your fear

Let's face it - we all had fear from approaching strangers and taking photographs of them. At least during the first period of our photography. Well, here is the fact: very few people, if any, will even notice we're taking photographs of them and even fewer number of them will mind if knowing we are. Sure, there is some distincivness in people's culture and laws around the globe, but people in cities full of crowds won't usually notice you and your small/big camera and why would they? There are tourists taking pictures and both amateur and professional photographers everywhere these days! 

But on the other hand, just the fact of knowing people usually won't even notice you, doesn't help in overcoming your fear. So here are few tips that might be helpfull.

1. Forget those 200mm, 300mm monsters - in street photography you need to come close not zoom in for hunderds of meters. You are photographing people, not wild birds. Many of us use the telephoto lens only beacuse of fear of approaching people. And that is WRONG! Sure, if you use those lenses beacuse you need them in order to capture what you want, it's another story. Otherwise, it's very wrong. And remember: when you're in crowd you want to blend in, not to look like a paparazzi sneaking around with full photo gear.

2. Get yourself 50mm or 35mm lenses. Kit lenses might do the trick until you do, but these two are essential in street photography. Their field of vision is largerly similar to one of human eyes. While some argue over the fact which one is more similar to human vision field, the truth is both are great, and you should try both if you are not sure and see for yourself. With both 50mm and 35mm you'll need to come close to the subject. That is the key in overcoming your fear of approaching. You WILL HAVE TO come close when you have these lenses.

3. Look for atipical, strange, and people with any form of emphasized character, clothing, profession, etc. If you want to capture the character and soul, you need to capture the eyes. It's not essential that they should look straight to your camera, but eyes must be largerly revealed.

4. Wait for a moment. You probably already heard of that "decisive moment" essential in street photography and introduced by one of the first street photographes Henri Cartier Bresson. Decisive moment isn't just a myth, nor is just a tip. It's ESSENTIAL in street photography. Sure there are more and less perfect "decisive moments", but perfection isn't what's important here. What is important is thinking ahead, choosing the scene and light conditions, predicting the possible outcome, and waiting. It's easy to explain it in three steps: 

a) Find the right framing. Be aware of "three thirds" rule and put objects around in the right spots. Also, look out for light conditions - sun, shadows and/or artificial lights. Leave an empty space - a space where you predict someone or something will appear

b) Wait. You don't have to wait for days or months like the wildlife photographers do. The amount of time of you spending waiting depeneds on how good you where on planning that scene. If the "empy spot" you chose is some corner in the non-busy part of the street, you might wait a bit longer. It is also good beacuse you do need to learn to be patient. 

c) Shoot. Don't be satisfied with first capture unless it's really great. Sometimes if you wait only a bit longer and shoot few more pictures, that first shot of yours seems less great compared to others. 

5. Be spontaneus. Sometimes you don't have to plan ahead and wait for a moment. Sometimes you just make that moment when you don't even realize. It's happening pretty fast, you recognize the scene that might give good results - and you shoot. The results might be astonishing. Sure, you need to have creativity and experience in order to recognize the scene.

6. Go alone. You don't need anyone else with you when you photograph, unless you're on some kind of photo training course and you all go together. Everyone will be just a distraction, your best friend, your mother, your boyfriend or girlfriend. You only need yourself, and a camera. And if you think about it it's pretty hard to plan a "decisive moment" while your friend talks about that new fancy restaurant, or to spend time concentrating on sceenes while someone talks next to your ear and expects response from you. If you go out with friends - you are with friends. Taking your camera with you won't give any results expect maybe when your friend asks you to shoot him/her for his/her new Facebook profile picture. 

7. GO! 

 Author

AOK Photography

Streets and People

It is often said that cities are somehow graves of people's souls. They are busy and crowded leaving a little for true pleasures of life. In constant worrying about paying the bills and earning a decent amount of money one is often lost in inability to find true nature of itself. However, ones that found the true nature of their lives can be easily recognized. It is street photographer's work to be able to find those kind of people, people with character, knowledge and soul.

  

By AK Photography