I love street photography. I love to get to a new place and through exploring and taking photos of what I see is the ultimate pleasure and satisfaction when traveling. Eric Floberg takes us on to the streets to show how he photographs strangers, and gives some tips on how he gets great shots. You don't need to be in a big city to go around shooting. It's actually the small towns and cities that make for interesting characters in spaces many people have seen.
I've grown up loving the streets and taking photos of people and things happening in the city around me. I tried to look at leading lines that guide the eye and composing with it; I've tried getting a shot of characters I've never seen in Cape Town, South Africa, the city I'm from. For me, any tips on going out there and getting over the insecurities is a bonus, and so is this video. Here are the tips he shares, and my opinion of each of them below.
1. Don't Be Afraid, Be Bold and Complimentary
This is important in not just street photography, but in all photography. If you want a great shot and there are people involved, it's often the bold direction that gets you the unique shot.
2. Shoot at a Higher Aperture for Faster Paced Shooting
It's obvious you can shoot at f/1.4, but you'll remove context, and street photography usually tries to contrast context and the subject in the shot. Get more in focus with a higher aperture.
3. Try Framing the Shot and Wait for Your Subject to Walk Into Frame
I've done this at the subway stations. I'll be standing outside when the people will come up the stairs and I'd shoot straight through the railings. It makes for some great shots.
4. Look for People That Match or Interact With the Environment
Matching can be via the color of their clothes and a complimentary color of a building, or someone stepping into or out of a frame.
5. Don't Be Self-Conscious
Don't care too much about what other people might think about you. Most people are a lot more involved in their day than caring about you taking a shot of them.
There are definitely some tips I'd use next time I'm out in the streets of Paris, or anywhere for that matter. They're given in such an energetic way that it kind of makes you want to go out and shoot.
Placing a photo of Casey, I feel, is total clickbait. I feel that everything that was said here was common sense to most people and really didn't add any value to tips on shooting street photography.
The shot of Casey Neistat is a shot of Eric's. Also, about the video and street photography: Some might not find any value, but some will. We all differ and are at different stages in our photography and thinking and each might take something different (or like you, nothing) from the video and advice.
Still clickbait, the editor knew exactly what he was doing. I myself thought it was Caseys video. Not necessarily anything wrong with using that image, but it was definitely used on purpose. And definitely a cheep trick.
Telephoto, or smile and compliment them and ask for it ;) It took me forever to be comfortable photographing strangers
Not REALLY on the same topic, I just found it a super interesting documentary that kind of dabbles in photographing strangers (of a different time using an interesting technique).
Finding Vivian Maier
I had a very small similar experience discovering my great grandfather's 8mm film reels that were buried in a basement at my grandparents house. Reels of his travels back in the 60's. Chicago, Florida/Disneyworld the year it opened - and literally Vancouver Island to the Cabot Trail NS (West to East) footage from the 1960's.
It's just amazing finding these old photographic relics in strange places and discovering first hand the talent that darkness was hiding.
Street photography is tough,Vivian did it BRILLIANTLY and she was simply self taught. Sorry for the slightly off topic discussion, but I find street subject photography interesting. Especially because most people don't want their photo taken...probably why I tend to avoid it personally. Some of the best portraits i've seen and even Broll when i'm shooting film/video/ comes from when people are idle or in their most natural state.
Aren’t these the same tips you see in virtually every article on street photography?