A few people have asked how I take the photos I do, so I thought I’d share some street photography tips! My style is a bit different to a lot of modern street photography, and more in line with classical urban landscape, so if that’s your vibe read along

1. Find a composition, and wait for a subject to enter it. Many street photographers hunt for subjects and “interesting people”. Not only is this kinda iffy ethically it often results in busy, uninspired frames. Find a scene that speaks to you and work from there instead

2. Don’t ignore the basics. Related to the previous point, don’t forget the basics of composition and light when you do find a subject or scene. Street photography isn’t an excuse to be sloppy and snap away aimlessly

3. Use negative space. Many street photos portray the bustling city, but it’s easy for your composition to get lost in that chaos. I prefer to give subjects room to breathe, and a bit of negative space can communicate so much in an image

4. You don’t need a human subject. As street photographers we love portraying how people relate to the city, but sometimes a classic “urban landscape” can communicate just as much. Use light, shadow, and line to say something about the streets

5. Use shadows to your advantage. Cities offer SO many interesting lighting situations thanks to all the structures you’re surrounded by, they can make for really compelling compositions

6. Have empathy. There are so many touching moments that pass us every day, and identifying with that emotion can be really powerful. Just don’t be intrusive, nobody likes getting a camera shoved in their face

7. Isolate your subject. Just because you’re on the street doesn’t mean you can’t find a moment and isolate it against the chaos. Taking a photo literally of the street without any defined subject can feel aimless

Aaaaaand I think that’s about it for now. These were in no particular order and just what came to mind. Let me know if you enjoyed them or found it useful!