Step aside, art — it’s street photography’s turn

 
Susannnah Butter16 August 2012

I am walking down Euston Road looking for the colour red. Photographer Stuart Beesley is by my side, pointing out the double red line on the street, the red cross on a Saint George flag and turning quickly to take a photo when he spots a woman in a red headscarf. Stuart runs the Fox&Squirrel Street Photography Walk with fellow professional photographer Eleanor Church and, as they explain, London street art has had its moment — now it’s time for street photography.

“Instagram and Pinterest show how people are attached to their city and want to share moments. That’s what it’s all about,” says Eleanor, explaining that street photography is about freeing yourself from the rules of conventional photography and noticing all the stories around us. In fact, the less experience you have the better (as you won’t be stuck in your ways) and you don’t need an expensive camera. I use the one on my phone.

The key, Eleanor explains, is to focus on one thing: “Look into the rectangle and get a story within it.” She encourages moving around to change perspective and notice things, such as bending down to see people’s shoes — or not even looking through the viewfinder first.

Eleanor and Stuart also aren’t afraid to take photos of strangers and tell me it’s easy to be invisible with a small camera or camera phone. Following my quick tutorial, they leave me to it, letting me loose in King’s Cross for half an hour. It is strangely liberating.

My favourite shot is one looking down an escalator, with a woman’s shoes peeking out. And as I walk home afterwards, I find that I can’t stop snapping away at the city.

foxandsquirrel.com

Eleanor Church’s tips for taking a great street snap

Take only basic equipment with you, whether that’s a phone or small camera. If it’s an SLR, use just one lens. Then you can make the most of looking around rather than fiddling with kit — and move quickly for the best shot.

Don’t look at things as a whole, but frame situations in your camera’s viewfinder. If you get into the habit of doing this, you’ll begin to see masterpieces all around you.

Be patient but be quick. Combining elements that are permanent, such as a sign, with things that are fleeting can make a great shot. Find your permanent element, set up your shot and wait for something to happen.

Move yourself and your camera — bending down, finding a raised platform, and using different heights will make for a more interesting shot than one taken at eye level. You’ll be surprised what a difference it makes.

Persist! Take your camera for little strolls and keep snapping. Even the most experienced street photographers might only get one great picture per session but the more you practise, the more natural it will become to catch those moments.

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