Street photography is one of the most rewarding and challenging forms of photography. It requires knowledge of different techniques, an understanding of the environment, and the ability to remain motivated in order to make the most of your time. Here are a few tips on how to stay motivated and make great street photography.
1. Find Your Motivation
The first step to staying motivated to make street photography is to find your motivation. It may be a desire to document the lives of those around you, a passion for capturing the beauty and chaos of the streets, or simply a need to get out and explore the world. Knowing what drives you to take photos, and why you’re passionate about street photography, can help you stay motivated and focused.
2. Set Goals
Once you’ve identified your motivation, it’s important to set goals. Think about what you want to achieve with your street photography. It could be learning a certain technique, capturing a particular type of shot, or mastering the ability to take candid photos. Whatever it is, having a goal gives you something to work towards and keeps you motivated.
3. Take Breaks
It’s important to take breaks when you’re out taking photos. You need time to reflect on the shots you’ve taken and to recharge your creative energy. Taking a few moments to look around and observe your surroundings can also help you come up with new ideas and perspectives.
4. Look for Inspiration
Finding inspiration is a great way to stay motivated and to come up with new ideas. Look at photos from other street photographers, watch tutorials, and read articles about the craft. Keeping up with the latest developments in the field can also help you stay motivated and inspired. It is very important to find photographer’s work that you connect with, we draw inspiration from that which we see, so why not use that inspiration to get out in the street?
5. Try Something New
Trying something new can help to keep your motivation alive. Look at different angles and perspectives, experiment with different lighting, or try out different techniques. This can help to keep things fresh and exciting. By mixing different genres of photography we are able to create a new look, as street photographers we are constantly seeing photogenic spots which we intend to use for candid moments, however these may not arise. As someone looking for spontaneous moments it can be nice to take a friend/model to this spot for a portrait session.
6. Share Your Work
Sharing your work with others is a great way to stay motivated. Post your photos on social media, enter contests, or even start a blog. It’s an excellent way to get feedback and to learn from others.
7. Open yourself to the street
Everyday we consume so much data from our mobile phones/computers etc, yet imagine our eyes to be a constantly switched on lens. We can become indifferent to this visual information, without keeping our motivation up to keep reviewing this information, when we are going out on the street we have the possibility to stay in contact with the beauty in the reality of life. Open yourself to the world and the experience of absorbing your surroundings on the streets.
8. Keep At It
Finally, the most important thing is to just keep going. Street photography is a constantly evolving craft, and it takes time and dedication to master it. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t get the results you want right away. Keep pushing yourself and eventually you’ll start to see the progress you’ve been striving for.
Staying motivated to make street photography can be difficult at times, but these tips can help you stay focused and make the most of your time. Find your motivation, set goals, take breaks, look for inspiration, try something new, share your work, and keep at it. With dedication, you’ll be able to create amazing street photography.