4 Street Photography Lessons from 4 Days in Istanbul
What if just a few days could completely transform the way you approach street photography? That’s exactly what happened to me during a recent trip to Istanbul. The energy, the culture, and the other photographers I met there all pushed me to see the streets in a whole new light. In this post I’m sharing 4 lessons I learned, lessons that will help you break out of your routine and capture more compelling, dynamic shots.
1. Be Curious
Curiosity is what being a great street photographer is all about. If you’re not curious about the world, how can you possibly capture compelling frames of life in it? On my recent trip, after meeting up with Eduardo Ortiz, curiosity led me into the local teashops of Istanbul where tourists don’t usually go which is where I took some images I’m really happy with - it was curiosity that was the biggest driver to explore somewhere different to the usual tourist spots.
So how can you be more curious and use that to your advantage in your street photography? Well, try to cultivate a habit of looking beyond what’s obvious. Don’t rush through your environment. Slow down, observe your surroundings and ask yourself what stories could unfold that you want to capture with your camera - be willing to explore areas that don’t initially seem interesting and you’ll find hidden gems.
2. Interact: Don’t Just Snap Candids All the Time
While walking with Eduardo we came across a group of people playing cards outside a teashop, I loved the colours of the tablecloth and the dynamism of the locals going about their leisure time. My first instinct was to snap a candid shot, but on the suggestion of Eduardo I approached the group and asked if we could take a few shots. They were more than happy for us to take a few images and it gave me more time to find the angle I wanted rather than just snap a quick candid and go. The resulting image was far more intimate than any candid I could have taken and it was also a fun interaction which is one of the things that make travel so enjoyable.
Sometimes we can get wrapped up in the notion that street photography has to be candid or it doesn’t ‘count as street photography’. That’s total rubbish, sometimes if you make your presence known people relax around you, don’t feel any threat and carry on about their business allowing you to get closer and make better photos.
Don’t hesitate to engage with your subjects - a brief conversation or even a simple smile can turn a stiff moment into a meaningful one. Street photography doesn’t always have to be about the candid, unnoticed shot. Sometimes, the most powerful images come from the connection between photographer and subject. Take the time to talk to people - it adds a human layer to your work and might just make your photo walks more enjoyable.
3. Don’t Be So Rigid: Tilt the Camera, Move Your Body
About a million years ago I studied graphic design at university and I’ve always had an eye for colour and bold graphic shapes. But in my photography recently I’ve realised that often I’m far too rigid with my composition. I was always trying to frame the scene perfectly, with the horizon straight and my subjects centred. This approach felt way too static for a city with so much energy and chaos as Istanbul, so I started playing around with perspective. One afternoon, while watching kids chase pigeons, I decided to crouch low and tilt my camera slightly. Suddenly, the scene felt alive—the movement of the kids and the birds became more dynamic.
So what are some practical ways to be less rigid with your compositions? Well, for starters turn off the camera guidelines and break the rules of composition. Tilt your camera, shoot from above or below, or even shoot while moving. Use the environment to inspire you. This doesn’t mean abandoning good composition but rather allowing flexibility to capture the energy and spontaneity of a scene. Try shooting from unconventional angles and notice how it changes the mood of your images.
4. Anticipate Moments: Learn to Predict the Future
Istanbul’s Galata Bridge is always alive with people and capturing the right moment in such a busy environment can be overwhelming. After observing for a while, I began to notice groups of people at the railings pointing out at the wonderful sunset and I started predicting where the next interesting moment would occur. Soon enough, I was in the right place at the right time, photographing a woman pointing out directly to where the sun was going down. Is it a mind blowing photo? No, but it conveys the mood and warmth of the evening and waiting for the right moment, anticipating a pointing finger, just made sure that I added a little more interest to the image than only the back of their heads.
So is it actually possible to predict the future on the street? Well, no it’s not, if I could predict the future then I wouldn’t be sitting by myself writing this blog, I’d be in Barbados. So no, you can’t predicted the future, but with enough time and practice you can learn to anticipate what’s going to happen with a remarkable hit rate. The more time you spend watching people and their interactions the more used you get to predicting human behaviour which will often lead to more exciting shots.
