Street photography is one of the most popular genres that reveals everyday snippets that are often overlooked by people on the streets. The genre is so challenging and exhilarating because it allows millions of lives to brush together for a few seconds on the pathway. Perhaps the people you photograph are suffering from depression or are in debt or are probably considered great human beings by those who know them. But the photographer and you, dear reader, will never know that. However, street photography offers the ability to bend reality, and sometimes, it offers great visuals in the most unexpected places. If you want to make pictures that are different from the rest, here are quick suggestions to help your journey.
Reflections
Perhaps the easiest way to get photographs that are truly unique is by capturing reflective surfaces. Remember the iconic picture by Rebecca Norris Webb, where she photographed the sky through a room, but the reflection of the lights onto the sky made it appear magical? Yeah, we are talking about that. You need to create new visuals by simply changing how you think. In addition to windows, mirrors, and wine glasses, you can use wet surfaces like puddles and other water bodies, too. In fact, you can get some really abstract images by simply looking at metallic surfaces that bend at odd angles.
Layer it Up
Street photography is all about adding meaningful layers to your picture. A great example is Henri Cartier’s image of a man jumping over a pool of water. You can see the man’s movement in the poster of an acrobat at the back. In fact, his reflection also adds a layer to the scene, making it look more enchanting. The broken curved metal pieces in the water reflect the shape of the poster at the back. Even the railing, which has a pointed shape, resembles the building behind the scene. Since we do not know if the man succeeded in landing safely or not, we will continue to make this image stand out. So, you need to think about these things when you shoot a picture. The non-verbal cues can make an image more effective.
At the same time, you can attempt what I did here. The image creates depth and gives an idea about the family living here and the kind of entertainment they consume, all of which help to create a portrait of the people of this house. It’s a quite photograph, but it truly offers one glimpse into the lives of the people you are looking at, without even seeing them.
Kaleidoscopic Effects
One of my favorite photographers is Sarah van Rij, who makes street photography seem so different than the visuals we grew up seeing. She does not shy away from experimenting and captures images that truly speak to the soul. For instance, she creates drama using shadows and light, as well as by using symmetrical patterns and repeating elements. By playing with these elements, she creates images that make you want to look at them longer. At the same time, she adds multiple different elements, and when they are put together, they create a harmonious picture. Perhaps you can take the chance and add shadows, patterns, or a dash of daily chaos to make the images different.
Multiple Exposures
Photographer Hayden Williams is another photographer who uses multiple exposures to capture the beat of the city. However, the catch is that he employs film to do so. The image above is an example of that. It is rare to get perfect pictures in film because you do not know what you photograph. However, the moment above only adds to the chaos of every life. The inverted buildings work wonderfully, with the bridesmaid waiting with flowers and balloons, completely immersed in their own world. By the contrast of the building, it appears they are liberated, even for a brief second, from the mundanity of life. If the image had only shown the three women standing in a garden, it would have left very little to the imagination.
Make Collage
This is something you can try both digitally and with your prints. This may take a different route than the usual street photography, but you can use your images to make a whole new image by looking at different pictures. This is only for those who want to try and experiment with something new for themselves. For instance, the image above is a digital collage. However, this is entirely skippable if need be.
These are a few suggestions, and you can always try to pair them together to create a truly unique street photograph. The idea is that you step out of your comfort zone and explore the medium. Sometimes, you may get inspiration by purely being present in the moment.
