The Introverted Street Photog

Street Photography, ever tried it before? If you’re an outgoing extrovert it’ll be no problem to hone your skills and troll the city streets for your next victim…er…subject. Unfortunately for us shy introverts, street photography can lead to sweating, anxiety, and heart palpitations. As the extroverts will have little trouble putting themselves out there the first section of this post is geared mainly toward the introvert.

You can be a street photographer too!
            I know what it’s like to be nervous, anxious, shy, and above all vulnerable while in public, which is what made me pick up a camera in the first place, people tend not to notice the photographer. That leaves us at a slight disadvantage when it comes to street photography as people in public tend to take note when someone has lens pointed in their direction. You can, of course, follow the well-known sink or swim method and see whether you end up a celebrated street photog or retching your lunch into the nearest waste bin cause you lost your nerve. I prefer to ease my introverted students into the street life. First, locate the biggest tourist attractions in your area. In high tourist areas people expect pictures to be taken, and there are plenty of subjects. Second, dress like a tourist. We’re going incognito people, and once again we become the invisible photographer!

What’s the best lens?
            The answer I hear most is “it depends”, and it really does. I’ve shot with a zoom, fixed focal, and wide angle, they all serve a different purpose based on what you need. The zoom lens; for the photographer who likes to keep their options open. Please note that the further you zoom the more conspicuous you appear, learned that the hard way! The fixed focal length lens; use this to stretch yourself as a photographer. The fixed focal length will require you to get creative with framing a photo as you can’t zoom out or in. These also focus faster and typically have better apertures. Finally, the wide angle lens; this beauty will capture almost everything, just remember, you have to get really close to your subjects and there may be some image distortion on the edges. 

Things to know before you go!

• If you are on public property you can legally take the photograph, except for military installations.
• Be courteous, if a subject doesn’t want you to take their picture then oblige them.
• Without a release form you cannot publish the image for commercial gain.