Street photography forces you to think and react differently compared to travel or landscape photography. While the latter might involve waiting for a perfect scene to unfold, street photography demands quick reflexes and an ability to anticipate moments before they happen.
Coming to you from Adam Gough, this insightful video shares his experience during a long photo walk through London. Gough, a travel and landscape photographer, found himself observing more than shooting as he shadowed skilled street photographers. Watching how others approached their craft exposed him to techniques far outside his usual workflow. This shift in perspective underscores how essential it is to refine your ability to observe. While Gough relied on spotting “pretty things,” his peers predicted the flow of events—capturing moments as they unfolded. This idea of preempting action is a significant leap, and mastering it can transform how you shoot.
The video also introduces a concept from one of Gough's peers: the idea that “lightning does strike twice.” While it’s easy to feel discouraged after missing a shot, understanding patterns in human behavior and environmental cues can lead to a second chance. If someone glances upward or reacts to their surroundings in a certain way, odds are the moment will repeat itself under similar conditions. Waiting and watching can yield another opportunity, especially in dynamic city settings.
Street photography stands out because it levels the playing field. Unlike other genres where access to gear or specific locations might give some photographers an edge, here the difference often comes down to your skill and creativity. Gough highlights this during his time in London with peers who all had similar equipment and settings. The results varied drastically because their individual abilities shaped what they captured. This realization was both humbling and motivating for Gough, as he recognized how practice, not tools, defined success.
The importance of repetition and immersion in the craft also shines through. Gough observed that his companions weren’t just lucky—they had refined their skills by shooting on the streets of London time and time again. That kind of hands-on practice builds not only technical expertise but also an intuitive sense for potential shots. Watching others work in their element made it clear that experience is a critical part of developing your instincts. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Gough.
