SHOOT THE STREETS

10 practical tips to help you become a street photography master

Street photography is challenging, rewarding and fun - so much so that it can become addictive. Armed with nothing more than minimal kit and a keen eye for detail, you're aiming to tell stories, and reveal something about the everyday lives of people, and society.

Contrary to what the name suggests, images don't have to include a street at all. Candids can be captured in any place where people gather and interesting behaviour unfurls. Taking photos in public is daunting at first, but once you get going you'll be hooked. It takes practice to know when to fire the shutter, so you'll need to hone your instincts to capture the perfect moment. The challenge is remaining unnoticed so that you can catch subjects off-guard - and once you learn how to blend in, the real fun begins.

Whatever the subject, street photography is about stories, soul and humanity. Henri Cartier-Bresson famously said "In photography, the smallest thing can be a great subject. The little, human detail can become a leitmotif." Cartier-Bresson was considered a pioneer of candid photography, and as you'll discover in this feature, there's no reason why you can't master the genre yourself.

1 EQUIP YOURSELF

COMPACT BODY

Almost any camera will give good results if you feel comfortable using it. Smaller models are more discreet, and practical to hand-hold for long periods. Get to know the button and menu layout inside out, so that you can capture fleeting moments and scenes on the fly.

PRIME LENS

Prime lenses such as a 35mm or a 50mm are compact and unobtrusive. Working at one focal length also means you get used to it, so framing and focusing become instinctive. The human eye sees at around 40mm, so both of these focal lengths closely mirror our natural field of view.

LOW-PROFILE BAG