In this article, we’ll cover seven tips to help you prepare for your street photography session. If you’re a newcomer to street photography, consider adopting at least a few of these tips to help you get started.
1. Check the Weather
Always check the weather before embarking on your street photography outing, especially if you’re going to spend more than a couple of hours shooting. Even the lightest rain can literally put a damper on things if you’re not adequately prepared with protection for your gear.
So, before going out, you should check the weather with the best weather apps for iPhone or the best weather widgets for Android.
2. Wear the Right Clothes
If you know what the weather is, you’re going to know the proper clothing to wear. But there are a few other considerations when it comes to street photography.
Wear comfortable shoes and loose-fitting clothing for flexibility. Pants or jackets with lots of deep pockets are beneficial when you don’t want to carry a camera bag or backpack.
3. Pack Light
Pack as light as you can according to how long your street photography session will be. For example, if you’re going to be walking around for a couple of hours or less, you may only need to bring your camera—no need for extra batteries or accessories.
But if you’re going to be spending a half-day or a full day out, then you’ll likely need a camera bag or backpack to carry extra batteries, memory cards, lenses, snacks, and water, etc. You should have these essential photography accessories to help you master your craft.
4. Charge Batteries
Even professional photographers forget to charge their batteries, which is why it’s worth repeating. But don’t stop there. Also, charge extra batteries and be sure to pack them along for any long street photography sessions.
The same thing goes for your phone and other essential devices. Charge them all up. Bring a power bank with all the necessary cables too.
5. Format Memory Cards
If you’ve ever forgotten to format your memory cards, then you know how frustrating this can be, especially if you haven’t uploaded your images. A little organization will go a long way in street photography. Always get your pictures off your cards and format them before you go out shooting. It will save you a lot of grief.
Another helpful hint is to always format your memory cards in your camera – not on your computer! This will significantly increase the odds of not getting errors that could lead to lost images.
6. Bring a First Aid Kit
This may sound like overkill, especially if you’re trying to pack lightly for short street photography sessions. But at some point along the way, you’re going to need minor first aid for possible cuts and bruises. This means packing a few essentials, like bandaids, disinfectants, and possibly basic medicines that will help for a bad stomach.
Gauze and face masks may also prove to be helpful. Remember that while you may be safe and never need medical attention, there’s a chance that someone you’re with will.
7. Be Intentional
Intention in street photography deserves its own article. But what we mean by intention is that it pays off to really map out what you want to be photographing before you step out the door. Most street photographers just wing it, which is fine too if you’re just looking for a leisurely outing.
In a nutshell, to shoot with intention means you already have your subjects in mind and maybe even how you plan to photograph them in advance. Here are but a few examples of deciding on subjects before you step out the door:
Photographing street portraits only (asking permission for people to pose) Candid photography only Set out to discover a theme or subject for a possible long term street photography project Choose subjects with interesting clothing, like hats, t-shirts, shoes, etc. Photograph subjects within a certain demographic Plan on doing only close-ups of people’s hands or faces
The sky’s the limit. But if you have subject matter in mind, it means you’re more likely to get more shots and improve your photography rather than leaving everything open to chance regularly.
You could even plan to photograph multiple photos of people to create a multiplicity series.
“Chance Favors Only the Prepared Mind”
The above quote is by Louis Pasteur. It certainly has its application in many fields. But it too has a special place in street photography because of the very nature of the genre.
If you properly plan your photography sessions, you’re going to have many more opportunities to capture fantastic images and develop your skills as a photographer.
