Page 22 - Cape-Camera-April-2022

April 2022 Cape Camera

8. Manage your fear why you took their picture often makes them feel better. It also
Fear in street photography is common. The idea of being helps to have a business card with your contact information
confronted while taking pictures of strangers can be and website address. Most importantly, if someone asks me
intimidating, and it often holds people back. It's important to to delete an image, I readily agree. Usually de-escalates the
remember that the more calm and easy-going you appear, the conflict quickly. A polite and sincere manner can resolve most
less likely people are to react negatively when you take their of these situations when they arise.
photo. With practice, it will become easier to put yourself out 11. Experiment with flash
there. Making images on the street can be a huge rush, however, I love using flash in street photography because it can bring
learning to control that and display calmness will lead to better film-noir type of vibe to the image. Flash has the abitity to
images. fill the frame with dramatic tension and a sense of electricity.
In addition, if I haven't shot street in a while, it takes some Colours become more vibrant, and you can control your
time for my "courage meter" to go back up. I find that if I just backgrounds better by causing the light to fall off after a certain
start taking pictures, I will eventually find my flow. The desire distance. However, flash often gives away the fact that you are
to create has to be stronger than the fear. Push through those making photographs, and more people will engage with you.
moments when you hit the wall and want to retreat; the images Consequently, you might want to experiment with it only after
are on the other side of that. you feel comfortable with street photography.
9. Learn the law 12. Choose a project
Knowing the privacy laws where you are shooting is essential. In time, it can be beneficial to develop a project that helps
Photographing in public place is not a crime, but the rules differ you stay focused and leads to a body of work that allows your
from one place to another. When I travel to a country where I do photographic voice to come through. Ask yourself what you
not speak the local language, I use Google Translate to make a want to say with your street photography. Do you want to
note to explain that I am photographer from another country photograph life on the street in your hometown or somewhere
and that I meant no disrespect and can delete the image. else? Are you interested in exploring an area or subculture that
Having these notes in my camera, bag boosts my confidence is slowly disappearing? The possibilities are endless, and ideas
because I know I can use them to explain myself in the local often emerge when you look at the work you've been doing
language if confronted. over time. Projects generate purpose and motivation.
13. Get feedback
Using a prime lens instead of a zoom will force Finding a photographic community is the key to developing
you to bob and weave like a boxer, adjusting as a street photographer. Sharing your work and receiving
feedback in a safe environment will help you progress more
for the best composition. It encourages fluid quickly. Look for a group of people in your local area or online
movement from situation to situation. who want to discuss work and help each other. Being able to
give and receive honest, constructive feedback is necessary for
improvement. When offering feedback to others, explain what
10. Consider your ethics and approach to conflict you like about the a photo and why you feel it works (or doesn't)
When starting out with this genre, it is easy to lean toward - and be open to people expressing those thoughts about your
photographing street performers or people that are images. Keep in mind, however, that it can be useful to wait a
homeless. Stay away from this practice. Street performers are bit after taking a photo before you share it and ask for feedback,
photographed all the time, so it doesn't make for interesting even if you really love the shot. Having the time away will help
pictures. Taking pictures of people who are living on the street you better judge what work you want to share with the world.
is exploitative and rarely helps them. More information:
When someone gets upset that your took their ploto, be polite. Instagram: @chadtobin
Explain who you are and what you are doing. I have found that Tumblr: https://chadtobin.tumblr.com/
telling the person that you find them interesting and explaining
Robert Frank

21 Cape Town Photographic Society