Street photography tips for beginners

Street photography is about everyday moments: a vendor laughing, light falling across a doorway, children playing in a plaza. It trains your eye like nothing else.

Gear

Small and quiet is best. An α6700 with a 16mm or 30mm prime, or a full-frame body with a 35mm, keeps you discreet.

Zone focusing

Set manual focus at about three meters and f/8. Everything from roughly 1.5 meters to infinity will be acceptably sharp, so you can shoot instantly without waiting for autofocus.

Settings

Shutter priority at 1/250 or faster with Auto ISO freezes movement. Silent shutter helps you stay unnoticed.

Find the stage and wait

Look for interesting light, a colorful wall or a strong frame, then wait for the right person to walk into it. Patience produces better photos than chasing.

Look for light

Mérida’s narrow streets create strong light and shadow in the early morning and late afternoon. Shoot people as they step into a beam of light.

Etiquette

Be respectful and open. If someone notices you and objects, smile, apologize and delete the photo. Avoid photographing people in vulnerable situations.