How to gain speed and confidence in STREET PHOTOGRAPHY

Two things which hold a lot of street photographers back are lack of confidence and being too slow while shooting. Improving both of these things will help make you a better street photographer. In the video, Jeff looks at the things which affect confidence and speed on the street.
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📷 All of the black & white images in the video were edited with our SilverChrome profiles and presets for Lightroom:
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1-2-1 TUITION & MENTORING
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Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:34 Respect your comfort zone
01:43 Know your gear
03:13 Shoot for yourself
04:13 See the world through your eyes
05:33 The street isn't a catwalk
06:35 Know your rights
07:24 Body language

[@SourPlanet]

Gotta mention the smile! A genuine smile is one of the best weapons we have. Well, most of us. My smile sends them running 🥳

[@WalkLikeAlice]

I don’t smile. Sarah does. 🙂

[@DannerPlace]

Anymore, I simply take a camera with lens attached and leave the bag behind. More discreet, easier to move about, and less weight.

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Whatever works for you.

[@JoeLopez]

Absolutely. Less is more.

[@SourPlanet]

Same. Small body, small prime. Sometimes, I'll toss another prime in the pocket if I'm feeling frisky. But always a vastly different focal length so intention stays clear.

[@juliettemansour]

In the 20 years I’ve been shooting street I think this channel offers one of the very best advice on this genre I’ve seen so far! Subscribed.

[@WalkLikeAlice]

You are very kind. Thank you 🙏

[@Joanne_Mahlmeister]

As a fledgling street photographer, I find your videos to be a valuable resource. I will also admit that I absolutely love the images that you include as examples, they are beautiful.

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Thank you so much. 🙏

[@francovedovelli2341]

sono assolutamente d'accordo

[@PrototypeSourri]

I've watched these kind of videos years back already and it's nice to see that some of the aspects you mentioned have greatly improved since then for me. Now I'm much more at ease, relaxed and can concentrate on the scene, rather than my own thoughts, fears and doubts. Great videos as always. Cheers!

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Thanks for watching.

[@tofulosophy]

Excellent summary of how to get started or to grow in one's street photography journey. Keep it up, mate.

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Thanks you. Glad you liked it.

[@johnnyng2438]

Thank you for sharing! True and honest advice.

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Thanks for watching 🙏

[@richarddelloyd3387]

Marvellous, thanks man

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Thanks for watching. 🙏🙏

[@PedroLeitao]

Another excellent video!

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Thank you.

[@JorgeOEG]

So useful, thanks!

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Thanks for watching

[@franknurnberger1102]

Excellent advice!

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Thanks Frank

[@JoeLopez]

There are some great takeaways here. Thank you for sharing!

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Thanks for watching

[@rkrosschell]

Great video, as always. Thanks for posting.

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Thanks for watching

[@StarrysLostandFound]

Sweet video and thanks for the insight from someone with more experience

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Thank you 🙏🙏

[@deejaybeephoto]

Good video Jeff with some very sound advice. Thank you!

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Thanks for watching 🙏

[@Narsuitus]

Thanks for the video and the advice. I have seen some of your street work before and was impressed by it. Your advice is sound.

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Thank you!!

[@sshapiro63]

You always provide great information. Thank you for posting more useful content.

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Thank you for watching 🙏

[@Yves-xe5jw]

Very good tips!

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Thank you

[@kieulannguyen1193]

Great video and very wise advice. Thank you so much. ❤❤❤

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Thank you for watching 🙏🙏

[@tonycook1532]

Ace advice Jeff 🙏

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Thank you

[@briankennerley5833]

Quality advice, I’m relatively new to street photography and do have similar fears of being to noticed, doesn’t help at the minute as I’m using walking still whilst waiting on a hip replacement. I tend to find a good spot I can wait or sit and let subjects enter the scene 👍🏻

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Thank you

[@sevsuk2011]

great video Jeff, great refresher with some thought provoking comments. I also watched your 50mm lens video. Excellent.

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Thank you 🙏🙏

[@bec5594]

Brilliant video, and actually with useful advice and tips! Thank you for keeping hammering home the importance of taking photos for ourselves rather than the social media brigade!

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Thanks for watching.

[@Gravitys-NOT-a-force]

Wow! Thank you very much. That was very useful information. Your photographs emphasize to everyone that you know what you're talking about.

[@WalkLikeAlice]

You are very welcome.

[@ericmontaephoto]

Some nice tips and a very insightful video. Knowing your gear is an important aspect and I’ve missed many shots experimenting with different cameras.

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Yep. Me too!!

[@theblackmanarmedwithacamera]

A VERY INCREDIBLE VIDEO WITH WORDS OF GREAT WISDOM THAT EVERYONE INTERESTED IN THE ART OF THE STREET SHOULD HEAR!! WELL DONE! 💯🤘🏾🤘🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Thank you. That’s very kind of you to say so.

[@paultaylorphotography9499]

Cracking presentation as always Geoff I’m in awe of your abilities as a not only a fine photographer but as an educator keep ‘em coming mate I’ll keep tuning in Cheers

[@WalkLikeAlice]

That’s very kind of you. Thank you.

[@paultaylorphotography9499]

@@WalkLikeAlice welcome mate appreciate the content you provide

[@derrenleepoole]

Sage advice. I would say that reading people is one of the hardest things to do. Why? Because we often bring our preconceptions with us when we observe someone, even if we’re unaware of it. The clothes they wear, their haircut, they have a certain type of dog etc… that can be a barrier to taking photographs if you’re just starting out, it’s a barrier we create unconsciously.

[@WalkLikeAlice]

It’s a barrier we create through experience. Some of those barriers come down with experience, and some go up.

[@diedannuss2132]

🎉 cool

[@georgevanmeter3179]

Great video and advice. A neat coincidence, I just got that Daido Moriyama book today.

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Thank you. The Moriyama book is pretty special.

[@YasserAbdelmonsef]

Great AC 30

[@WalkLikeAlice]

AC15 😉 It’s still way too loud to use properly at home 🤪

[@antdenzic7977]

Don't know why it took me so long to subscribe to this channel? Obviously I needed my head checked out. Love your content mate.

[@WalkLikeAlice]

We don’t know why either 😂 Thanks very much. Glad to have you here 🙏🙏

[@reportergary]

Such basic and accurate guidance.

[@WalkLikeAlice]

🙏

[@dueviastradatravel7536]

Some of the best advice I’ve heard on KZbin. Honest and True. One thing I’ve learned in 45 years of photography learning the law is first and foremost. For example in France, the person photographed owns that photo and not the photographer.

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Thank you.🙂

[@frankfurter7260]

LOL. This is total BS. The photographer will own the copyright in any country that is a signatory to the Berne Convention. France isn’t making up its own copyright rules. You may be confusing the fact that in France you require permission from the subject to publish the photo“ unless the photo contributes to the exchange of ideas and opinions deemed indispensable to a democratic society.” In practice it means not a lot unless you live in France; good luck with a lawsuit against a foreigner publishing a photo for non-commercial purposes. 🙄

[@frankfurter7260]

You’re thanking the poster for making up a non-existent, bizzare rule that if you had even the slightest understanding of copyright or copyright related treaties you would know it to be complete nonsense.

[@WalkLikeAlice]

@@frankfurter7260no. I’m actually thanking him for his kind comments.

[@andrewowen-price4496]

Useful & informative, as always. Looking at previous comments, it appears as though there is great demand for a video just on the law as it affects street photography!

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Thanks, Andrew. Tbh, those videos have been done to death and there are far too many variances between countries for it to be viable.

[@matthewheap6701]

So concise, insightful and helpful. Thank you. I recently had my Leice stolen due to not reading the scene correctly. Until the day comes when I can afford my next camera, I will practice observation without one and practice learning how to blend into my surroudings whilst also being sympatico with them. Finding that balance is something I have always struggled with. From my younger days of shying away due to social anxiety and discovering photography as a medium to reintegrate myself with the outside world, I have at times, with a dash of dutch courage, gone full 180 and become like a bull in a china shop, full Gilden Mode. Neither approach has proven advantageous for my street photography. Thank you for your genuine words of wisdom. I appreciate your and your partner's work, as well as your choice of Locations. Blackpool is great, Brighton of course and London goes without saying. But props for Blackpool, fascinating little town with a lot of character and a big heart. Thank you for your work and your representation. All the best to you both. Thank you

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Thank you for your kind words. They are really appreciated. 🙏🙏

[@johnwaine56]

If you only watch one street photography video, watch this one. Covers all that matters. Thanks Jeff! “Go out and practise” 👍

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Thanks John 🙏🙏

[@tomfenn7149]

The late, great photographer Grace Robertson, once told me that a good photojournalist should never take their camera out immediately, but instead, like you point out in this video, walk around for a while and observe and take in what you will bring your camera out for later on. Good channel, advice and video. Super images too!

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Great photographer. Thank you.

[@frederick3467]

cheers 👌

[@WalkLikeAlice]

🙏

[@carlmcneill1139]

I use either a 28mm or 40mm on a full frame and shoot between f/5.6 and f/8 and use a zone focus. Some people use aperture priority mode but I shoot in manual mode but use auto ISO. Occasionally I'll open the aperture for a shallow depth of field and then focus where I need to and wait for someone to step into that spot but usually I focus on the ground on a spot in front of me that will have most everything in focus. That way the only thing I have to worry about is taking the photo. A lot of times I have my camera on a neck strap hanging down to my chest. I don't even raise the camera up to my eye.

[@simonbarnes7124]

Ah I see you have a book by Markus Andersen. His Rage Against The Light video is my favourite. I've watched it many times.

[@WalkLikeAlice]

He’s a good friend of mine.

[@Gravitys-NOT-a-force]

A video dedicated to what a street photographer can and cannot legally do/(photograph) would be very well received. There are not many such videos out there.

[@WalkLikeAlice]

There are some, but this isn’t something I would be interested in doing.

[@garethdwatkins]

Nice point.. since I left photojournalism I only shoot pictures for myself.. Yes I do post them on FB & Instagram... but I don't care at all about likes and followers, it's all far too superficial. In fact Instagram is a great archiving method so I can easily find my shots on my hard drives.. Then I make photo books, and get one copy for me.. If others want them I will get further copies made, but I do it all for myself. I spent 20 years, shooting what others wanted, be it, a newspaper or an assignment I was given as an agency snapper... None were my subjects... Now I can choose what I shoot.. So yes great observation we should all be shooting for ourselves.

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Thanks Gareth

[@mtmccornack]

It took me almost a decade for me to feel comfortable changing up the default menus or button assignments on my cameras. Tbh i only really got my A and B cams matched up 2 or 3 weeks ago. (I made my fx3 and a7cii behave the same when shooting photos modes) up till then i wanted to get the muscle memory down before rearranging the furnature. Glad i got over it and wish i had figured this out sooner.

[@mtmccornack]

Also I'm from Oregon so my "daily wear" shoes are waterproof up to 7 inch puddles!

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Haha. I know your pain. We live in possibly the wettest part of the UK

[@KeAiFu]

Speed you can gain with a excellent AF incl. EyeAF, which we find in a modern camera, like the Sony A7CII.

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Not sure why you made this comment. I’m guessing you didn’t watch the video?

[@KeAiFu]

@@WalkLikeAlice Clear, you should know ur gear, but not all gear works the same. If you make a shot from the hip, with a 50/1.8 open, you need a good AF which in AF-C mode tracks a person, to get a sharp face, or eye shot. This most Fujis, or Leicas cannot.

[@TheGazmondo]

Terrific advice especially about practicing. Using a camera should be like riding a bike.

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Yes. But you would be surprised at how many people struggle with even the basics of their camera.

[@markhallada7437]

Could you suggest a good starting point for researching the legalities of shooting in the UK (specifically Scotland)? Thx.

[@WalkLikeAlice]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/aqjPaqSoZ8t0iMUsi=YmBYMpnHwbZATw7I

[@WalkLikeAlice]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIuYlWqKi7OMi9Usi=CyOWlPkkYE7bPG3N

[@svenyss]

In Germany especially these days, after pandemic and also in times where everyone is using a smartphone; peoples react really strange and aggressive even when I use the small Fuji and the 23mm f2 which is a small 35mm. Also many people told me that I'm not allowed to do that which simply isn't true.

[@WalkLikeAlice]

I’ve heard that from other German photographers. They claim they can’t take photos of strangers on the street.

[@fehntube]

It‘s true. There are consent requirements in place, which nobody really understands, so in order to be safe, you better not shoot people (no pun, hehe, but why not). Also, if you ask 10 lawyers on this, you get 12 opinions. Pretty sad situation.

[@lorenzonisi4252]

Thank you very much for your content,I really love your channel. I have a question about street photography. If I take a photo of a stranger without asking permission and I post it on instagram is legal? If I take a photo and I dont have the opportunity later to ask if it is ok to public the photo is a problem? Thank you eventually for your answer..this is a very big problem for me because I want to create a portfolio but I dont know if I can because of permission/privacy.

[@WalkLikeAlice]

You would have to find out what the law is in your country. If you go from your country to another to take photos, then the law there will apply. There are always grey areas because of the need for photojournalism and tourism. Gianni Berengo Gardin doesn’t seem to have any issues with shooting and publishing on the street in Italy.

[@HansdeHeer]

That all depends on in which country you are. Different countries have different laws regarding publishing pictures with recognizable people on them.

[@lorenzonisi4252]

@@WalkLikeAlice thank you very much!

[@lorenzonisi4252]

@@WalkLikeAlice I am Italian and I didn't know about Gianni Berengo. Thank you for letting me know Gianni!

[@lorenzonisi4252]

I know that you mention on the video this topic but,for example, in Italy I can shoot photo without consent but I have to ask to the people later if I can post on social media etc.. If I cant talk with the person or if I shot from the hip and then i continue walking how can I ask permission? Sorry for my question

[@HansdeHeer]

I would not care too much about this, do not overthink it. What is the worst thing that can happen? Probably that you publish this picture on your instagram or website, and the person you portrayed discovers that. 9 out of 10 people won't even mind. They might even feel flattered and ask you for a copy. The 10th person might object and send you a message. In that case you take the photo down. You won't get sued or anything, unless your photo is extremely damaging to the person in question, for example when he or she is drunk and lying on the pavement. In that case you probably should not have taken or published the photo at all.

[@lorenzonisi4252]

@@HansdeHeer Thank you for your answer!

[@chriscard6544]

do you avoid drunk people ?

[@kevinmoore49]

I used to walk around with my Fujifilm x-t3 and one lens 23mm f2 but I recently bought the x100vi so i can be even more minimal. As a rule i won't photograph the homeless or someone on drugs who may have mental health issues, great channel 👍

[@theonlinething1039]

And exclude them from reality? You could just ask them, or at least the homeless and drug people.

[@kevinmoore49]

@@theonlinething1039 I know it's reality but there is plenty more of that on the streets

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Thank you. As a rule, I won’t either.

[@zetaphotography6548]

What does someone on drugs or mental health issues look like?

[@Camaraenmano_01]

👍🇨🇴

[@WalkLikeAlice]

🙏

[@macbookdieter]

Who is Alice?

[@WalkLikeAlice]

As we’ve mentioned loads of times on the channel, and in the channel description, “walk like Alice” is part of a famous quote by Tony Ray-Jones. 🙂

[@harrystevens3885]

Speed and confidence yet you shoot from the hip, how's that work.

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Oh dear. I’m assuming you haven’t watched the video?

[@harrystevens3885]

@@WalkLikeAlice It's a hard watch , I gave up on the nonsense.

[@WalkLikeAlice]

@@harrystevens3885 oh ok so you are just a sad man trolling KZbin to make yourself feel important. Gotcha.

[@LASHMAR]

Christ ... another mastibator comment from a billy no-mates. Didn't you used to play football for Brighton? I wondered where you'd ended up Gary. I thought you'd have more than 18 subs by now. Oh ... you're harry stevens. Not Garry. Sorry forgive me Harry.

[@Shephard1978]

Fred Herzog is reported to have shot from the hip. Alan Schaller also shoots from the hip on occasion as per a tutorial on his channel. It provides a unique perspective which you may not see unless you either bend down, look completely awkward (and bruise the scene) or you are only 3ft tall!

[@gordonmercer6648]

Not wanting to pour cold water on your video but your examples of street photography are mostly random people walking down the street and not all that interesting. I'm not seeing any art or real story here. is this your vision of street photography or am I missing the point?

[@WalkLikeAlice]

So let’s see your work. Any link, instagram account, whatever. Doesn’t matter. I’ll wait.

[@LASHMAR]

Another billy no mates commenting. The irony is anybody who could take even a half decent photograph would never ever leave such a comment. Anybody with an ounce of creative talent wouldn’t comment in such a way. Listen mate it’s not the internet’s fault you was bullied at school. Don’t take it out on people who are working hard and creating just because you haven’t the talent to do it.

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Still waiting…

[@JoeLopez]

There are some great takeaways here. Thank you for sharing!

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Thanks for watching 🙏