July Theme Challenge 2 – Street Photography

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For this month, July 2024, the alternative information packed theme challenge is “Street Photography” which can be defined as , in it’s simplest interpretation, recording everyday life in a public place.

Because of the limited opportunity to obtain a “Fireworks” image we thought it would make sense to have an alternative challenge, “Street Photography”, to give you other opportunities to capture an image this month. Note you can choose to present your images in either Colour or Monochrome.

The above Street Photography image shown was taken, with a Canon 5DmkII, f/8, 1/400, ISO 320, @324mm, in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia which shows the contrast of the historical means of travel during the 1800’s vs modern day transportation.

Street Photography

Street photography can be approached and accomplished in many different ways. The type of photos you decide to attempt can depend on how interactive you want to be with people. There are many images you can take limiting your interaction with people as well, however if you do take images of people consider;

  • In general for photojournalism or personnel use it’s your right as a photographer to photograph anyone in a public place where the person(s) assumes there is no possibility of privacy (disclaimer it’s up to you to investigate the laws in your area, some Canadian examples: CMRU.ca & PENcanada.ca)
  • A YouTube Video by professional photographer Sean Tucker titled Law and Ethics in Street Photography discussing the laws about photographing people in public in the UK, Europe & USA with a member of the legal team at the AOP (Association of Photographers).
  • Here is a Canon.ca general guide to Photography Ethics: Street Photography, Nature Photography, and More
  • If you are asked to delete an image you have taken of a person at their request be gracious and do so, it will help avoid any possible confrontation
  • Minimize the visibility of the person’s face, or ask them if they mind their photo being taken and gracefully respect their wishes
  • Avoid taking images of children
  • Do not take any image showing anyone in a compromising situation or in an unflattering way
  • If you do ask and get permission to take a persons photo get their information, such as their email, so you can send them a free digital photo (8×10), and make a note of the image number from your camera so you can identify them with the associated email, which can be easily done using a notes app on your phone (not a good idea to send the wrong photo to the person you promised)

General Camera Setting Suggestions:

  • use Shutter Priority Mode (Canon = TV, Nikon = S) with a shutter speed starting around 1/500
  • however, If you want a shallow depth of field, use Aperture Priority mode (Canon = Av, Nikon = A) and set your aperture as required, but keep track of your shutter speed or set the minimum shutter speed setting for Aperture Priority mode via your camera menu to make sure it’s fast enough to minimize motion blur
  • ISO set to Auto, and set your max ISO setting via your camera menu
  • set exposure metering for the whole scene (Canon = Evaluative, Nikon = Matrix)
  • set exposure compensation to -1/3 on a bright day, or +2/3 on a dull day as a starting point (you may have to adjust it more negative depending on the scene, you’ll need more negative with a higher contrast scene), and also enable highlight alert
  • typically for a lens use anything from 24mm through 100mm (typically 35mm – 50mm is a commonly used focal length), it really depends on the composition of each photograph, it’s best to fill the frame in camera but remember you can always crop your images in post if necessary
  • compose your shoots as level as possible and with wide angle images including buildings remember to leave enough room to allow for vertical correction in post and at the same time try to keep people subjects away from the edges to minimize wide angle distortion

Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada: Halifax has so many locations with opportunities especially the downtown and waterfront. A very friendly city however, the same as anywhere it’s always good to be careful. Here are just a few safety suggestions to consider, which also apply to travel photography;

  • Minimize your camera kit, depending on how long you expect to be out this can make a big difference in having an enjoyable experience
  • Never set anything down to avoid your gear from being stolen
  • Carry your gear in a way to reduce the possibility of snatch and grab scenarios
  • Make sure your phone is charged in case of any emergency situation
  • If you don’t know the area, take a friend or be with a group
  • Stay away from areas that could possibly be unfriendly
  • Choose areas where there are more people during daytime which would typically be much safer than at night
  • Consider sun protection and bring along a bottle of water

The first image of the sentry guard, is located at the entrance of the Halifax Citadel Historic Site, a great location with lots to see at the top of downtown Halifax which also includes a magnificent view of Halifax Harbour. The second image of the Drunken Lampposts are located on the Halifax waterfront, was designed by NSCAD which the artist(s) intended to show behaviours that could be playing out on the streets after dark. During the recent Sail GP Halifax event (YouTube Day1), June 2024, there was a lot of activity on the Halifax waterfront; your friendly neighbourhood spidey was out posing with kids and families for candid photos which also provided an opportunity to include a composite placing them within an AsheDesign Super Hero Movie Poster, Peterfillmanmusic is a local Halifax musician out entertaining, a random person framed within a portable cart walking by Pane e Circo Cafe, who serve high quality Italian Products, then we see a random person walking by a unique yellow, blue, and orange stone wall shaped like a wave, and finally an image of a “Farmers Market” truck delivering goods to some local establishments.

Lunenburg, Nova Scotia Canada: Take advantage of what each town or city has to offer by doing some research in advance. For example; in Lunenburg there is a Historical horse-drawn carriage ride available, by Trot in Time Carriage Tours. The tour takes about 45min taking you on a guided historical tour within the heart of the town of Lunenburg. The images shown below show the contrast of modern day transportation vs the historical means of travel during the 1800’s.

Additional Resources

We try to seek out additional instructional resources for our monthly challenges, we hope you get some worth while tips and hints with the PDF and Youtube video links below:

Links to some free PDF short guides from Photzy.com/blog:

Street Photography YouTube Links

Below are some YouTube video links to help with techniques, hints, and ideas for Street Photography:

■ How To Shoot Street Photography: by Gary Gough (17min 17sec)
■ Getting Started in Street Photography: by Hugh Rawson (17min 21sec)
■ How to Photograph Strangers – in Havana Cuba: by Photography Online (14min 2sec)
■ 5 Street Photography Tips Every Photographer Should Know: by Faizal Westcott (12min 54sec)
■ 6 Years of Street Photography Knowledge in 6 Minutes: by Tim Jamieson (6min 23sec)
■ 5 Tips for Street Photography Composition with Phil Penman: by B&H Photo Video (4min 25sec)
■ 5 Street Photography Tips You MUST KNOW – Advice from a Photojournalist: by Sean Gallagher (12min 16sec)
■ 50mm Street Photography with Composition Breakdown: by Adrien Sanguinetti (14min 53sec)
■ Fine Art Street Photography Perfect First Lesson: by Gary Gough (26min 58sec)

You’re encouraged to develop the ability to “tell a story or invoke an emotion“, as well as learn to plan and troubleshoot while creating images.

  • It’s important to not only create an image but to also include a “Title”, this process helps with; determining your subject or story, and composition.
  • Try writing a short paragraph about; how you came up with the idea, any interesting back ground that compelled you to make the image, and describe any techniques how you overcame any obstacles.
  • Do some research and include any relevant information behind the subject of your image. This helps with planning and your approach for a story

An important part of improving your photography is practice, which is one important aspect of the monthly theme challenge, in addition you have an opportunity to learn about different genres, techniques and tips that you may not be familiar with.

Share your images and stories experienced this month

Even though there is no facility to directly upload your image to the this post, you can achieve something similar by commenting on this post; firstly pasting your social media link to your image in the comment, then type any additional message you’d like to share. Everyone who visits will be able to visit your link. Note comments are moderated so it will not show up right away. We do get notifications when any comment is posted, so it won’t take long to get approved and subsequently show up. By pasting your social media link in your comment, it gives everyone visiting the bog a chance to click the link to see your image for the challenge and also the ability to look at your other work by viewing your social media through your pasted link. We want sharing to be a positive experience and we hope you have fun with this month’s dual photo challenge.

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