I hate the coward shot in street photography. That would be standing across the street with your 200mm whatzit shooting the poor soul who is sleeping in a box. I don’t do that picture. If I did I would be across the street talking to the guy because nobody needs another picture of some guy sleeping in a box. There’s nothing new there. Shooting girls across the street who don’t know you’re taking their picture is in the same catagory. Go out searching for images a little hungry. I am telling you that because that is what I did. It will help get used to imaging people. your eye. When you do get close enough to fill the frame with your 28mm, you will be a legend.
Taking pictures of kids is a great way to get comfortable imaging strangers. It will help develop your eye. My sons were used to my carrying a camera with me always and acted naturally in front of it. My youngest asked me once why all the other daddies didn’t have a camera at the school bus stop. That is a big part of it. You get no pictures if you don’t have your camera with you.
At my mother's funeral. 2017
I took pictures at my Mom’s funeral, and she would have expected me to.
One of my first lectures at SVA was the instructor telling us that we can’t learn street photography in a classroom. So why did I take out all those student loans? He told us we should be shooting five rolls of TRI-X every day. Five seems a bit much unless you have stumbled upon something wonderful. He suggested we buy bulk film and roll our own. Don’t do this unless you want a negative with longitudinal scratches. - Every MF time.
The two most important things about Street shooting are 1. You can’t take pictures without a camera, and 2. You have to take a picture.
Honestly, What the hell do I know?
I’ve been doing it for 50 years.
I must know something.
Yeah… Get closer.