Street Photography: My Personal How-to Guide
A vendor in Havana smiles and acts like I don't exist as I snapped this photo. It helped a lot that he knew me.|Credit: Reynaldo Cruz Diaz
Ever since I entered the world of street photography, I got into a new learning process. Walking the streets of Havana, Cuba camera-in-hand was an experience that proved to be both enlightening and challenging in different ways.
Between the often suspicious police officers that were always looking to bend the law and make up decrees to place unfair fines, and the people who did not want to be photographed out of fear of appearing in the digital version of The New York Times, there was always a struggle. On the other hand, cops were always ready to come at photographers who were capturing images that compromised the “integrity of the Revolution”.
A man sits at a rundown building full of political pro-communist propaganda in Old Havana.|Credit: Reynaldo Cruz Diaz
At the same time, as the economic situation in Cuba has always been challenging even during the hey day of the post-thawing American travelers, there was always the risk of robbery.
So, I —along with many others who, like me, were urban explorers in the Cuban capital— was forced to learn new methods. As a Cuban, fellow nationals were less friendly and less keen to be captured on camera. So I had to come up with my own routine and methodology to be able to photograph in Havana with less trepidation and stress.
This was my method, and I know of other photographers who were with me in I Love Cuba Photo Tours or with whom I crossed paths in Havana that either did some things similarly or taught me a couple of tricks for me to use.
Also, I had the opportunity of visiting Canada and spending an extended period of time in Mexico upon my departure from Cuba. With my final arrival in the United States, I managed to hone my street photography skills and get rid of some of the burdens that I carried while I was in Havana.
The importance of respect: These two ladies allowed me to take their photo in their makeshift kitchen in San Miguel de Allende.|Credit: Reynaldo Cruz Diaz
So, right now, after discarding some strategies that I had used in Cuba due to the lack of freedom, I have a more honed system for street photography. I have been using it ever since:
Be friendly and respectful: Even in Cuba, being friendly and respectful to the subjects you are photographing is always going to be a major necessity. People are going to be more willing to be captured if you manage to show them consideration.
Do not aim your camera at children: Even though this was not such a problem in Cuba, as children were many times the subjects of my street photography, it is important that you keep your boundaries. Unfortunately, there have been child predators who have used photography as an excuse, and you do not want to be labeled as one.
Ask for permission: If you are going to photograph a restaurant, a bar, a store, etcetera, it is common courtesy to ask for permission. This may seem a little too much, since people are photographing the places they visit with their cell phones, but the presence of a professional-grade camera will always bring discomfort to some business owners. I have asked for permission always and it has always been granted.
Be kind: If you photograph a stranger who has previously given you approval to do so, approach them, show them the picture and try to make them have it either printed or digital. This costs you basically nothing and can open many doors to you.
Wear comfortable shoes: The reason why when I did my list of quotes I used that one by Sebastião Salgado is precisely something I have always abided by. A pair of shoes that protects your feet and provide comfort is always going to help you.
Stay hydrated and fed: Dehydration and hypoglycemia can be a risk if you are out and about shooting all day. Take necessary measures to prevent any of these things to happen to you.
Be as less bulky as possible: Well, I have to admit that I have rarely (if not never) followed this one, so I am a hypocrite here. I carry a big backpack 99% of the time I am shooting, as I have all of my lenses with me, and I also keep water, energy bars and the extra batteries in it, as I said in my travel photography guide. This also means that you should have the smallest possible gear out.
Be gear-ready: I normally carry a 24-70mm f/2.8 while I am photographing on the streets. Yet, I have also used the 70-210mm f/4 if I want to photograph subjects that are in the distance. However, the one lens that I fully recommend for street photography is the 50mm f/1.8, a.k.a. ‘nifty fifty’. That lens captures things just like the human eye sees them, is very fast, and definitely is more discrete for shooting on the streets. Note: If you have a cropped sensor camera, I recommend that you use a 35mm lens.
Protect your gear: BlackRapid straps are a big asset when it comes to taking pictures on the streets. They help you bring your camera forward really fast and, more importantly, protect you from possible snatchers if you are in a sketchy area.
Know your way: It is important that you know your way. You need to know where you are heading and where you are coming from, where to eat, where to buy a beverage, where to use the bathroom. So, do your homework before venturing in street photography adventures.
Know the rules: Depending on where you are, you need to know the rule of law. Here in the United States, photographers are protected in public spaces. This means that you can photograph whatever you want and whomever you want without fear of repercussions. A PPA membership will give you all the information regarding that, but still, you will have to be respectful, and again, be mindful of minors being captured on camera.
Be discrete: I cannot abide by that normally, due to my bulky backpack and to having my camera out all the time. However, it is important sometimes to be slick and take candid photos of people going by their lives. As a documentarian, it is good to be invisible sometimes.
Ask questions: While I knew Havana like the palm of my hand, I had to ask people what was happening here and there while I was in Mexico or when I got to the States. It is important to be informed and know what you are capturing, in case you intend to write a story about it.
Be humble: Even if you know you are not breaking any laws, be respectful of people who don’t want to appear in the frame. Arrogance is one of the worst enemies of a street photographer, mainly if you intend to photograph in the same location again. You will also avoid angering the wrong person and regretting it later.
Look for details: Sometimes, it is good to read what a sign says, even if it is propaganda that you are not interested in. Certain things like written signs or images can contain elements that could fit greatly if a specific subject is walking by it.
These are some of the things I take into account while going to the streets. Even though I do not follow all of them to the letter, I try to keep them all in mind. The streets are the paradise of documentary photographers, but some mistakes might turn them into a very unwelcoming place.
Being courteous, respectful and mindful is a door-opening approach that will help a lot and hurt nothing. Everyone tends to be nicer around nice people.
