Someone asked me last week what I actually photograph when I'm out shooting. Like, what makes me lift the camera in the first place. And honestly, I had to think about it because most of the time I'm not really thinking, I'm just reacting. But when I broke it down later, it came back to a few things I do over and over without realising.
The clip I posted was me crouching low for a frame, and someone in the comments asked if the subject was posing. They weren't. That's kind of the whole thing for me with street, you want it to feel like life happening, not a photoshoot.
Look for the angle before you look for the subject
One thing I've learned after 10+ years of doing this is that most photos get ruined by the angle, not the subject. Everyone shoots from eye level because that's where their eyes are. Makes sense. But it's also why most street photos look the same.
When I'm walking around a city, I'm constantly thinking about where I can drop low or get high. A low angle changes everything. Suddenly a normal guy walking down the street looks important. The sky becomes part of the frame. Reflections in puddles show up. You get separation between your subject and the background.
Trust me, I get it, crouching down in the middle of a busy street feels awkward the first 50 times. But nobody actually cares. They're on their phones or running late or thinking about lunch. I've shot in Hanoi, Tokyo, Lisbon, all over, and the only people who ever look at me are other photographers.
The subject is usually simpler than you think
People overcomplicate what to shoot. They're waiting for some perfect cinematic moment with three layers of meaning. Meanwhile they walk past 20 good frames a day.
For me it's usually one of a few things. Someone doing something with their hands. A person framed by light coming through a window or an alley. A silhouette against something colourful. Somebody who looks like they're from a different decade. That's basically 80% of my street work.
Find a subject. Click shutter. Banger photo. That's the formula, and it sounds dumb but it's true. The hard part is just being out there long enough and paying attention.
Don't ask, don't pose
I never ask people to pose for street shots. The moment you do, it's not street anymore, it's a portrait, which is a different thing entirely. Both are fine, but don't confuse them.
If someone catches me, I smile, sometimes show them the photo, and move on. Most people are cool with it. The few who aren't, I just delete the frame. Not worth the argument.
So yeah, next time you're out, try this. Pick one angle that's not eye level and commit to it for an hour. Low or high, doesn't matter. See what you come back with. I'd bet money your shots from that hour are better than what you'd usually shoot in a full day.
Watch the full video on YouTube.