Hi there, I’m a college student in england on my first year on a photography A Level course. My current project brief is black and white film, street/documentry. I’m actually including you in my portfolio as one of my influneces, is that okay? Also, do you have any tips on street and documentry photography?

January 27th, 2011

Hi there,
I'm a college student in england on my first year on a photography A Level course. My current project brief is black and white film, street/documentry. I'm actually including you in my portfolio as one of my influneces, is that okay?
Also, do you have any tips on street and documentry photography?

raisedbypugs

Sure! That is definitely okay :)

I did a post on taking better photos in general and I would recommend the same tips for street photography: http://istillshootfilm.org/post/2671084144/5-tips-for-taking-better-photos

The two most important elements of street photography are getting close and asking permission. Powerful, moving street photography is about interaction, not observation. Personally, it is easier for me to interact when I am traveling in a foreign country… particularly because street photography is technically illegal in France (more on that here: http://istillshootfilm.org/post/541694800/on-the-legality-of-street-shooting-in-france) and most French people say, “no” if you ask. Another street photography tip is learning to wait; if you find a great setting but there’s not a lot of action taking place, wait with your camera stuck to your face until someone or something interesting passes by. Oh, and ALWAYS keep your camera on you. I am still kicking myself over the three times in my life that I missed a great shot because I didn’t have my camera on me.