You can add a human element, having somebody's hands or feet in pictures. Stay out of the professional photographer's way and leave them to do their thing. A bee on a flower is always interesting but again, you can't capture the expression on their face. People love photographing architecture by incorporating different light and shadows into that.
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We call ourselves street photographers, but let’s face it most of us don’t practice just one form of photography.
If this applies to you, then you have the opportunity to add interest to some of your other work by incorporating your street photography style in other genres. Of course this doesn’t apply to everything but it can add an interesting twist areas where you least expect it.
In this episode of I’m joined by guest co-host Debby Cole, a street photographer, speaker, author and visual storyteller from Austin, Texas. Together we discuss how we and others have applied a street-like, spontaneous style to other forms of photography like events, travel, weddings and even urban landscape.
So have a listen and please share your experiences and examples by sending them to editor@streetphotographymagazine.com. We’ll post some of your responses in our newsletter.
Some examples of “street photography moments” found in other places
Events
As photographers we are often asked to record the people and activities at various events, or we’re just here as participants (like weddings). These can be parties, parades, concerts…you name it. Just because you’re not on “the street” with your camera doesn’t mean that you can’t still pay attention to a moment that captures your attention and interest. These are often the photos that stand out.
@Robert Patterson 2019. My job this evening was to photograph the awards ceremony for a long-time corporate client. When you listen to the podcast, you’ll hear me tell Debby about the details behind the event and why I did this. When I saw this guy walk in with his cool hat and distinctive beard I switched into street photography mode and made several frames. This isn’t what the client paid me to do, but they loved it. I didn’t think much of it that day, because I do this all the time. I shot a similar event for them in DC a few weeks later they asked me to do the same thing.
Travel
This one is probably not a stretch for street photographers, but it’s worth a discussion. Most people when traveling to new places travelers are caught up trying to capture the perfect postcard shot of famous landmarks or landscapes. But a street photographer with an eye for “the moment” can spot them in the interactions and reactions to the sights by their fellow travelers
Even with no people present a photo can still be about them. Sometimes it’s a gesture made by a plant or inanimate a humanlike expression on an animal’s face or something that results from human presence. These can capture the street photographer’s attention inspiring them to capture the moment.
This is just a small example of where you can apply your street photography style in places other than “the street.” Wherever you are, keep your street photography antennae up to capture moments that are meaningful to you.
