100 Things I Have Learnt About Street Photography

Just sharing this to my fellow Pinoy and Pinoy Shutterbugs from Invisible Photographer Asia. There are actually 101 things to be learned from it (I removed one since it has nothing to do with me). I think I got some already and all I need is to add the rest for me to be an effective street photographer.

Here are 100 Things I Have Learned (Will Learn) About Street Photography

My Dream Camera for the Moment. XD

1. Don’t worry about the camera so much, just take the damn photo.
2. Ditch the zoom lens and screw on some primes
3. Carry your camera gear in a messenger bag  (it makes your camera & lenses easier to access).
4. Go for the candid look.
5. Go for the shock factor.
6. Smile often.
7. When shooting from the hip, your first 1000 shots will be terrible.
8. Don’t make eye contact with your subjects when trying to be discrete.
9. Imagine that the world is your stage and people are your actors.
10. Feel free to ask people to take their portraits.

11. Try to refrain from taking photos of the homeless (as most shots can be considered as merely exploitation).
12. Crouch when taking your shots, it often makes for more interesting photos.
13. Get close. Now take two steps closer.
14. Shoot with an all-black camera with your logos taped up with black tape (to make your camera look more discrete).
15. Go explore—serendipity is key.
16. The less planning, the better.
17. Ideal exposure for a bright sunny day: f/16, ISO 400, 320th/second.
18. Pretend like you’re taking a photo of something else.
19. Be respectful.
20. Change your lenses to re-inspire.

21. Follow your own style, not trends.
22. Don’t worry about the fear of shooting in public. It will go away over time.
23. Most people like getting their photo taken.
24. If a policeman asks you to delete a photo, tell him you know your rights and refuse to do so.
25. There are no rules in street photography.
26. Always bring your camera with you everywhere you go. EVERYWHERE.
27. Don’t take photos, tell stories.
28. Limit the number of street photographs you see from the internet. The more you see, the less you will value your own.
29. You will be called by others as “weird” for your street photography. Ignore them.

30. Look for the beauty in the mundane.

31. Take photos that make people laugh.
32. Street photography is best experienced alone.
33. Constantly experiment and innovate.
34. Street photography doesn’t have to be in black and white (although sometimes it does look better).
35. Grain is beautiful.
36. Hold your camera with your hand, not your neck.
37. Don’t be afraid of offending people. Most likely you won’t.
38. “The night is often more vivid than the day” – Van Gogh
39. Some of the meanest looking people can be the nicest.

40. Don’t make excuses. Make photos.

41. Never delete any of your photos. Some of the technically-off images make the best street photos (think blurry, grainy, or dark images).
42. Always keep your eyes open for the “Decisive Moment”.
43. If you think your photos are boring, they most likely are.
44. Street photography summed up in one sentence: “I could have taken that photo but I didn’t”
45. The quieter your camera, the better.
46. Don’t be sneaky.
47. Wide Angle > Telephoto for street photography
48. Everybody in the streets has a story to tell.
49. Street photography is not just about the photos, but the experiences.

50. You don’t need to be in Paris to take great street photographs. Your backyard is equally as good.

51. See life through the eyes of your subjects.
52. A well-cropped image can often tell a better story.
53. Juxtapose.
54. Look for the light.
55. Go off the beaten path.
56. Have the mind of a child and wander. This is how you will find your best photographs.
57. Only show your best photographs. This will strengthen your images.
58. If someone says that you are “really lucky,” slap them.
59. The more photos you take, the better.

60. Your subjects are people, not prey.

61. Spread the love of street photography with your friends and family.
62. Less is more.
63. Get meaningful critique of your street photography from an online community. It will help you tremendously.
64. Street photographs are subjective.
65. Look at what other people aren’t looking at.
66. Do not stress over amazing shots that you may have missed. Simply move on and strive to take a better shot.
67. Create a series or a theme for your street photographs. They will help create a style for you.
68. See with your eyes, not your camera.
69. There is no such thing as the “perfect photo”.

70. Timing is key.

71. You don’t have to take a photo of everything. Don’t feel guilty for just enjoying the moment.
72. If you are a beginner, don’t worry about the settings too much. Just toss your camera on auto mode and go shooting.
73. Don’t look for photo opportunities. Have them find you.
74. Children cannot see your camera.
75. If you ask to take a portrait of a stranger on the street, ask them for their email so you can send them their image. (they will love it).
76. Don’t forget to look up and down.
77. No subject is too ordinary to shoot.
78. Always carry a spare battery and memory card on hand. This has saved my ass half a million times.
79. Don’t be afraid to push your ISO higher.

80. Learn how to shoot without using the viewfinder and make it a second instinct. Thus also…

81. Practice shooting from the hip.
82. You will never encounter the same shot twice. Now swallow that fact and digest it.
83. Street photography is a lot like swimming. You have to do it to truly learn it.
84. Draw inspiration from other photographs, don’t steal them.
85. Street photography is a lot like fishing. Sometimes you catch a whole bunch, sometimes you catch none.
86. Getting one or two keeps from an entire day of shooting is a good number.
87. If someone asks you to delete a photo of them, just do it. It isn’t worth the trouble.
88. Be smart: ie don’t go shooting in the hood by yourself at night with hundred dollars worth of camera gear.
89. Some street photographs just look better in color. Don’t overlook this.

90. There are always photo opportunities regardless of where you are.

91. Less is more.
92. A street photograph is worth an essay.
93. Public transportation is a gold mine for street photography. Learn how to use it.
94. Always keep at least two backups of all your images. Technology is unreliable.
95. Keep a journal of your shooting experiences. Track your thoughts and development as a street photographer.
96. Get lost in your photography and lose track of time.
97. Think before you shoot.
98. Have fun.
99. Live life.
100. Just do it

A successful 11.11.11 Photowalk

Current mood: Too tired that I skipped 4 events today XD

Bakit bawal akong mag-shoot sa bansa ko?

My legs are still killing me after attending the first photowalk/silent protest organized by "Bawal Mag-Shoot Dito", one of the facebook group pages that I am a part of. I got to the meeting point at around 10:00am as most of the photographers there were already wearing their BMSD shirt. I was able to get one as I have mine reserved a few days ago. After changing costumes, we started walking from Jollibee in Kalaw to the Rizal Monument at the Luneta Park.

Mr Berns Mejias

On the way to Luneta

I was not surprised to see a lot of photographers (amateurs and professionals) waiting for the walk to start. I saw some of the well known photographers in the industry like Berns Mejias, Edwin Tuyay, Lito Sy among others. Once the walk started, I took some snapshots enroute to Luneta Park. Once we got there, security guards tried to stop us but we were able to convey our message. They even tried to call the head of security to lead them in a conversation. When one of the photographers asked "Bakit Bawal?" he couldn't give out a straight answer. 

Mr. Mel Cortez being interviewed by the media

Luneta's cheif of security having a day

There were media to cover the event as well which means our voices will be heard and our actions will be seen. As the conversation progresses, Mr Mel Cortez (a well-known photojournalist and cheif photographer of Decisive Moments) came and was being interviewed by the media. Some would probably say that we are staging a protest. We didn't! But rather its a walk moving forward to raise the question "Bakit Bawal Magshoot Dito" here in our country. For me, its disheartening to see our fellow Filipino photographers being reprimanded by our fellow Filipinos while foreigners can take pictures without being asked. 

Group Hug

Security Guards

After Luneta, we head off to Fort Santiago as it is also historic as well as it is the place where Dr Jose Rizal was imprisoned. Though we weren't able to get inside, what matters is that our voices were heard and I hope the government (DOT in particular) would do something about this.

Sir Mel with Mr Edwin Tuyay

The man behind the movement

Here are some of the photos that I took during that monumental day.

Ms Rida Reyes of GMA-7

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My First World Wide Photo Walk by Scott Kelby

Every year for the past two years, Scott Kelby is holding a world wide photo walk for all photographers to share images and build camaraderie. I have been anticipating this event since the last week of May. With the excitement I had that time, I signed-up right away on the first walk that I saw in Manila. It was the Sta Cruz leg. As days go by, more and more walks from the Philippine's came up. But they do get easily filled-up by photographers (hobbyists, amateurs and professionals alike).

Early this morning,  I make sure I got up early and prepare myself for my first photo walk. As I leave home, I went to Intramuros first to have breakfast at manang's. but their Fried Chicken is not yet available so I settled for their Lechon Kawali. After that hearty breakfast, I went to Sta Cruz to join the others who will be at the Scott Kelby's Worldwide Photowalk. Our meeting place was at Plaza Arsenio H. Lacson in front of Plaza Fair. Since I got there early, I went to Sta Cruz Church first to give thanks and seek guidance from our Creator. Then I noticed some guys with cameras taking snaps. One approached me and asked me if I am also a part of the Sta. Cruz group. I said yes and the guy told me to join us. We waited for the rest to arrive before we had our pre-walk group hug photo.

I was able to meet new faces. But I noticed that some of them were quite young. Another thing is that some people I know online who were supposed to attend didn't show up. That made me think why. As the walk progresses. one thing I find odd was the route that we went through going to Binondo Church. Instead of going there via Ongpin, we went there via Escolta-Yuchengco. Still I was able to take pictures of the street itself as well as some people who live there. Good thing I had a shooting partner that time. She was also an alumna of MIT and just finished her Basic Photography Course at FPPF in Intramuros.

As we reached Binondo Church, I was surprised to see some of my supposed to be groupmates at the photowalk as well as our photowalk leader. Then I approach my photowalk leader to congratulate him for the successful walk. I saw the puzzled look in his face and then he asked me if I am with his group. I said yes then to my surprise, he asked my why I wasn't able to join him. Little did I know, I joined the wrong route as he told me that there is another group for that. I was in total shock and a little bit embarrassed at the same time but anyway, its all been done already. I was able to join the group hug of my original group and the group that I joined as well.

After the walk, my photo buddy and I had our lunch at one of the restaurants in Ongpin. Then we walked back to Sta Cruz Church via Escolta to take pictures of other parts that we have missed. Then we went inside an old museum. Even if its closed, the security guards opened it for us and we were able to take pictures of old memorabilia. I really enjoyed that day and I got really tired.

Here are some more pictures from the Wrong Walk. XD