Street Photography

Street photography falls into two broad categories: Photos which literally show a road and photos which capture the emotion of standing on a street, often in the city. In that second case, street photography is closely connected to Urban Photography, where you lean even more heavily into showcasing the feeling of a city. You’re welcome to go in that direction, or use it as inspiration to showcase what it feels like to be on your own street.

Wherever you may live or whatever your road, sidewalk, neighborhood, or farm may look like, try to make us feel like we are there with you.

Guide

Go out to your driveway, neighborhood sidewalks, or local park and… find the feeling of the place. Think about how the paths, roads, or structures create lines or curves. Really try to imagine how you would describe the sounds, tastes, scent, or temperature of the place you’re standing, using a photo.

Capture photos of objects which catch your eye and feel like the scene.
Look for locations which are naturally illuminated by the golden hour sun.
Find street lamps or porch lights that spill out onto driveways or paths.
Frame the landscape with a human or natural element that creates a visual path.

Inspiration

Questions to Ask Yourself

How does this photo tell a human story?
Where is the tension or energy in your photo? What is the source of calm?
What technical skills, like pre-focusing your lens or choosing an f/stop, are you using in each shot?
Is the photo about a subject in the scene or about the audience looking at the scene?
Street photography is about the character of the location. How can focusing on the qualities of an inanimate object make a viewer feel more connected to this photo?

Self Assessment Checklist and Rubric

To get the most out of photography club, ask yourself these questions and aim for High Quality (3) in all of your photos. Remember that it’s ok to share Low Quality photos, especially if you have questions about how to improve them.

▢ Posted multiple photos.
▢ Commented on other’s photos.
▢ Participated in discussion.

	High Quality (3)	Mediocre Quality (2)	Low Quality (1)
Concept / Theme	The photo captures the feeling of the street or place. We can imagine being there from looking at your photo.	The photo shows a street or has leading lines, but we more see the place than feel we are in the place.	The scene is bland or unintersting.
General Composition	Roads, paths, structures, or other leading lines draw our eyes towards your subject or through the scene.	The photo uses leading lines or framing, but they feel more accidental than noticed or planned.	The photo show little control over framing or composition.
The Street / Path / Place	The character of the location comes though in specific details. The audience feels present at the scene.	The setting is recognizable and hints at a story, but there is not strong subject or emotion.	The setting feels generic. This could have been taken anywhere.
Originality	The photographer combines their interpretation of the theme with deliberate composition choices to create a unique and compelling image.	The photographer attempted to find a unique perspective on the theme, even if the result isn’t peerfect.	The photo is dull or derivative.