Why You Should Do Street Photography
Reading time: 4 mins
Recently I’d been reading about the depressing potential of AI and saw yet another review for a brand new camera that does the exact same thing as every other camera and to be honest I’d just gotten into a bit of a rut with photography and had really lost motivation. I really didn’t feel like taking any photos but it was sunny and I decided to go for a walk into town with my camera anyway, not necessarily to take photos but just to get some fresh air and have the camera around my neck just in case I got out of my funk and saw something worth capturing.
As I was walking down the high street I noticed this young girl with her grandfather and she was stroking his hair. I didn’t really think about it, I just captured the moment and it just felt so real and human. I didn’t know these people but felt part of their shared experience. Even though I was alone, I felt connected and ultimately saved a slice of time that to me felt really meaningful.
That’s the magic of street photography.
If you’ve ever wondered whether you should give street photography a try, or perhaps you’ve done it before or want to get better at it, in this post I’ll walk you through why this genre can be incredibly rewarding both creatively and personally.
The Thrill of Capturing Life Unfiltered
Street photography is about spontaneity. Unlike studio work, where every element is controlled, the street is wild and unpredictable. You never know what you’ll find - a street performer entertaining a small crowd, a dog peeking through a window, or a stranger lost in thought, all moments that when framed through your lens tell a story. Or maybe you’ll go out and see absolutely nothing worth capturing with your camera which is all part of the process and in fact what usually happens on a street photography walk. Sometimes though things just happen and you can’t get enough of it snapping it all up with your camera.
I remember another time when I was exploring London. I saw this bunch of teens all practicing their dancing in Piccadilly Circus. What really caught my eye though was they blindfolded themselves in thin pieces of ribbon and then performed their dance. I’d never seen anything like that before and thought it would make for an interesting shot, so I captured the moment and went on my way.
When I developed the roll and scanned the image it was exactly as I’d hoped, not only does it show the act of dancing in blindfolds in the street but also the serene expression on the lead character’s face and the unbridled teenage joy of the others doing what they love - it’s one of my favourite photos I’ve captured on film. Moments like these, unplanned and authentic, are what make street photography so captivating.
Learning to See the World Differently
Street photography teaches you to pay attention. Every corner of where you find yourself becomes a potential story waiting to unfold. Your eyes become tuned to patterns, contrasts, and emotions that others might overlook in their daily routine.
During one of my photowalks, I was walking with a friend along the river in central London and we came across a bunch of dancers putting on a random performance. It was an ordinary scene and hard to get an interesting shot through the crowd but then I noticed one of the performers touching up their make up in a mirror.
The mirror was the same shape as the repeating pattern of the paving slabs and I saw the opportunity to get an image from an unusual perspective. That’s when I noticed her eye looking directly back at me in the reflection and that’s when I chose to press the shutter.
Street photography forces you to slow down, observe, and appreciate the world’s quiet moments. It turns even the busiest cityscape into a canvas, with people and places acting as its ever-changing subjects.
Connecting with Humanity
When you’re out on the streets, your camera becomes a bridge to connect with strangers in meaningful ways. Whether you’re capturing a quiet moment or asking someone for a portrait, there’s an element of trust and empathy that underpins every shot.
Recently I made a video on my YouTube channel where I went out and shot some street portraits for the first time. I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and rather than snap some candid shots and move on through the crowd, I decided to approach some people for portraits and I ended up having a fantastic day.
The last interaction of the day was the best where I ended up having a long and inspiring conversation with a stranger culminating in me taking his photo. In our digital world we can easily forget how fulfilling it can be to have real interactions with real people - it’s not something to shy away from, it’s something to embrace.
That simple interaction reminded me that photography isn’t just about pictures; it’s about people, their stories and documenting how our world is today.
A Creative Challenge
Street photography is not without its challenges. You can’t control the lighting, the subjects, or the environment. But that’s exactly what makes it exciting. Every shot requires quick thinking and creativity. You have to adapt to the ever-changing world around you, and in doing so, you become a more versatile photographer.
So if you’ve ever felt stuck or uninspired, grab your camera and hit the streets. You don’t need a fancy setup - just an open mind and a willingness to see the world differently. You’ll soon discover that there’s a wealth of stories happening all around you, waiting to be captured.
And who knows? Maybe, like me, you’ll find that the streets have a way of reigniting your passion for photography.
