Uncover the Soul in Your Street Photography: Tips & Techniques

Welcome to this insightful episode where we explore the essence of street photography. Are you tired of seeing only silhouette shots and artistic compositions that lack emotion? Let's dive into a deeper approach to street photography that captures genuine human emotions and tells compelling stories.
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[@todoguahan2896]

Great message and advice. Thanks for reaffirming my purpose to tell stories. Took a Street Photography workshop five years ago and shot over 200 pics during the three-day class.. The instructor nixed 190 but showed me what was worth keeping and PRINTING. He later told me he showed them to his girlfriend who was in tears after viewing them. That feedback told me I was rewarded more than all the likes or views on any social media platform. I never posted those pics.

[@AskMOTT]

That's so nice to hear, workshops can be life changing or at least photography life changing. A workshop I did with Gary Knight early in my career ended up shaping my entire career and life as a photographer.

[@garywebb5912]

Very good advice. I’m currently working a few projects that may, or may not, ever be seen but the value to me has been in helping to develop that emotional bond with the subjects that is improving the work as time goes by. Recognition via social media is mattering much less to me nowadays than slowly creating something I can be happy with.

[@AskMOTT]

I love to hear it Gary , wish you the best with it and when it’s done I’d love to see it .

[@RobertWilson-p5u]

What a refreshing point of view and advice. I am glad to have found your channel.

[@AskMOTT]

Thank you Robert :)

[@fujishoot]

Me included, its strange how many of us miss the obvious about what we are aiming to achieve. I love the concept here of asking to shadow someone as a project. Perhaps just once. Perhaps over a period of time. Brilliant.

[@jayse1195]

The photos in this video were captivating. Was that a project of yours? I'd love to hear more about it, the shot of the little beauty looking into the diagonal light is beautiful and terribly saddening at the same time. Great video, muchos respect amigo.

[@sjsent4553]

Felt every piece of this. You've earned a follow

[@WhoIsSerafin]

I’m on the road all day going from home to home from the nicest to the worst places. So I don’t really have time for deep thoughtful photography. I see something interesting I grab my camera from my passenger seat pull over quickly take the shot and move on. That’s what gives me joy and what I share.

[@richarddenise3886]

Awesome advice and images!!

[@thephotoroad]

Excellent advice! Though I think there’s a big barrier between establishing connections with people and places over time, versus just going out randomly and shooting photos anonymously on any given day. The first in my opinion requires much more effort and emotional involvement (and extroversion), whereas the second is easier, more anonymous, and sometimes more relaxing. I think the results often reflect the two different levels of investment one has to put in to each of these approaches

[@goldfinch2283]

Great video. I think exactly the same way as you. I am tired to see all these street photographers with black & white images just showing pedestrians in shadows or light. There is no interaction between humans, no feelings\emotions.

[@Smoothblue90]

I commented on that video that I did not understand photography soul or story. I still don't understand photography soul or story. But Saturday night I took 1300 photos of a band playing live near me and as I went through them a few of the images were noticably better. I would take bursts of 20 or so of the drummer and one of those was always noticably better. But I would not be able to describe to a beginner what was better about the better images. The facial expression. The position of the sticks. The lighting. All combined to make one image within each burst different and better. I am working hard on being better by shooting more and shooting from more different positions while changing prime lenses and I am getting better but I don't really know why other than I am training my inner eye to look for and create and see better images and to see bad images where I need to change my angle or position or lens.

[@MarcWynter]

I think there’s space for both approaches. Just like there’s space and time for fast/casual food vs enjoying a culinary experience.

[@MakersTeleMark]

I remember distinctly about 35 years ago I was very careful not to include any people in my photography. Now, I can't imagine a photograph that I think is decent without a human element of some sort. Because, like you said, we are look to connect with a photograph with emotion, and no easier way to do that than with an element that we are familiar with. Sure, I can blast a scene in perfect light, but then what? Then why?

[@washingtonradio]

Great advice

[@masonjamal1]

Love it

[@AskMOTT]

Thanks Mason.

[@laurapodrasky9687]

I prefer to work in story form. I will take some images and I will see a story forming and then do a deep dive into the subject more. Does not always work out, however it can lead to a better story or at least a better image. I will share on Instagram random images since it is just social media and not a lot of real content on the platforms. Something to mate grab a viewer for the 10 seconds they actually look at an image. My prints in the galleries is what I really care about. This is where the stories are told for myself in my work.

[@AskMOTT]

I'd love to hear your thoughts, let's have a dialog.

[@dangilmore9724]

Most "sreet" photography i see today is, for the lack of a better term, downright pedestrian. Or, has become bogged down in tired old common technique and style and dare I say, banal. I attribute this to street photographers trying to please other photographers and some mindless social media algorithms all in search of "likes." Everything looks the same. No one wants to see the same thing over and over. They want to see something they've never seen before. While there can be a certain appeal and merit to the prosaically banal, it gets carried too far these days. There's too much lack of immitation and lack of creativity.

[@goldfinch2283]

I totally agree with you 👍

[@Gravitys-NOT-a-force]

There are an awful lot of photos of YOU on your Instagram platform. Not so many inspired shots. Just saying. Inspired shots are more easily said than done.