What is Street Snap?

Street snaps are a form of photography that captures cityscapes and moments of everyday life. Unlike planned photography, street snaps are characterized by capturing spontaneous moments that occur on the street. Since the photos are taken impromptu, it requires intuition and observational skills. Some people may imagine street fashion photos when they hear the term “street snaps.” However, this is only one of the subjects of street snaps, and all kinds of everyday elements can be subjects, such as buildings, people, and the light and shadows on the street.

Differences from portraits

TAMRON 20-40mm F2.8 (Model A062) Focal length: 21mm Exposure: F2.8 Shutter Speed: 1/40sec ISO: 2000

Street snaps are often confused with portraits, as they often feature people. Of course, there are similarities, but their nature is very different.

In general, portraits are often shot in advance with a meeting with the model to decide on poses, expressions, and costumes. On the other hand, street snaps are basically shot without preparing a model or pose, and are shot in the moment. Therefore, it can be said that there is a high degree of improvisation and emphasis is placed on capturing natural moments.

In addition, while communication is important in portraits to bring out attractive expressions from the subject, in street snaps the emphasis is on capturing the environment as it is. The natural behavior and expressions of people on the street, who are not conscious of the camera, are what make street snaps so appealing.

Representative subjects

The subjects photographed in street snaps are diverse. The mood of the photograph and the message it conveys will change depending on the subject you focus on. Here we will introduce some typical subjects for street snaps.

Street corners and streets

Street corners and cityscapes are the basic subjects for street snaps. Carefully observe the shapes of buildings and alleys, and try to take photos that make use of perspective. Even in the same place, changing the time of day you take the photo will change the intensity, warmth, and shadows of the light.

You can also capture images reflected in puddles after the rain or in the glass of a building to create a unique and beautiful expression.

Portrait

The key to photographing portrait in street snaps is to capture the subject in a natural way. Taking pictures casually so that the subject doesn’t notice, or using a telephoto lens to take pictures from a distance, will make it easier to capture natural expressions and behaviors.

However, it is essential to be considerate of the subject’s privacy. Be careful and ask permission before posting photos on social media where the face can be identified.

Fashion

When shooting street fashion, it’s a good idea to not only capture the whole body, but also to focus on the details, such as the combination of stylish accessories and layering. By capturing the parts that show the person’s personality, you can create a photo that highlights their individuality.

The direction of the light and the balance with the background are also important. Try to find an angle that makes the fashion stand out. Also, by incorporating buildings and cityscapes as a background, you can create a sense of the atmosphere, culture, and story of the fashion and the city.

Buildings and structures

When photographing buildings or large structures, using a wide-angle lens to emphasize the perspective will create an impressive photo. For example, emphasizing vertical lines will help you create a photo that conveys the height and power of the building.

Also, by taking photos from different angles and positions, you may be able to discover distinctive shapes of buildings that you would not normally notice. Taking photos from an extreme angle looking up or from a bird’s-eye view can give a different impression even with the same subject.

Vehicle

Cars, motorbikes, and bicycles moving through the city are also subjects that give a sense of realism. For example, taking a panning shot of a car moving through a city will emphasize the sense of speed and the cool atmosphere of the city. By changing the shutter speed, you can express a sense of dynamism in various ways.

It is also recommended to take photos of old cars and motorbikes that aim for details. If you try to capture the aging of the body, the texture of the paint, and the reflection of light, you will get a photo with a sense of realism.

Tips for taking great street photos

There are a few tips for taking memorable street snaps. Keep the following points in mind to not only take pretty photos, but also take snaps that will amaze viewers.

Observe the scenery and subject carefully

The important thing about street photography is to “see” before “taking pictures.” Before picking up your camera, take the time to carefully observe the state of the city, the flow of subjects, the overlapping of scenery, and people’s expressions. By paying attention to things that you are intuitively drawn to, you can reflect your own unique perspective in your photos.

For example, at a busy intersection, various elements such as the flow of people and vehicles are intertwined. What you choose to capture from among these is up to the photographer’s sensibility. Sometimes it’s best to put the camera aside and simply look at the city.

Discover the best moment

To find the perfect scene, it’s important to patiently wait for the moment you want to capture, or to actively walk around and search for an interesting subject. To capture the so-called “decisive moment,” be aware of predicting the subject’s movements and imagining what will happen in the next moment. It’s especially good to look for places where something is likely to happen, such as places with a lot of people or traffic, or places where you can clearly see the contrast and changes in light.

Picture the composition

Since street snaps are shots taken in an instant, it is important to imagine the composition beforehand. It is a good idea to practice basic compositions such as the rule of thirds, diagonal composition, and symmetrical composition so that you can pull them off instantly.

On the other hand, if you get too caught up in the composition, the photo may end up being ordinary, so it is also important to try and error with your sensibilities at the time. It is rare to get the image you imagined in one shot, so try taking the photo repeatedly, changing the angle and position of the camera.

Keep your camera ready

An important point in street snaps is how to capture split-second shutter opportunities. For this reason, make sure to set basic settings such as exposure on your camera in advance, and make fine adjustments as you take pictures. It’s also important to always have the camera handheld and ready to go. Keep your camera hanging around your neck or in your hand, so it’s always ready to shoot.

Change the angle or position

TAMRON 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 (Model B061) Focal length: 18mm Exposure: F22 Shutter Speed: 1/40sec ISO: 1250

In street snaps, you can encounter unique perspectives by shooting from a variety of angles and positions, not just at eye level. For example, you can effectively convey the size and power of your subject by shooting from a low angle close to the ground, or you can capture an unexpected shape by getting closer to one part. You can also get creative with your framing by shooting from behind a wall or pillar, or by isolating a specific subject from a crowd.

Creating contrast with light and dark

Contrasting the shadowed and lit areas and emphasizing the contrast will create an impressive photograph. Look for compositions that effectively contrast light and shadow, such as the contrast between the shadow of a building and the sunlight, or a silhouette that stands out in backlight.

However, landscapes with a high contrast between light and dark are prone to overexposure and underexposure. Add exposure compensation and adjust so that the subject and details are clearly visible.

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