Random signs have a significant impact on street photography in several ways. They add contextual clues, visual interest, and a narrative element to the photo. Additionally, signs can reflect cultural identity and provide visual contrast, adding haphazard contrasts within the frame. Including signs in the compositions provides depth, complexity, and storytelling potential to the overall image.
Glass reflections are a crucial aspect of street photography. They add depth, complexity, and visual interest to the overall picture, providing an additional layer to the scene and creating a fuller perception of the setting in which the photograph was made. Glass reflections can also distort reality, creating abstract or surreal effects that add mystery and intrigue to the image. By playing with light, angles, and the surface of the glass, photographers can create visually exciting ideas that challenge our ordinary viewpoints. Reflections are a great source of surprise and unpredictability in street photography. They can also be used as visual metaphors or symbols that evoke duality, introspection, or contrast societal elements, reflecting the complexities of urban life and the struggles and joys of urban people.
Using pop colors in street photography is a great technique that can enhance the composition of an image, grab the viewer's attention, and add visual interest. Pop colors can evoke emotions, add elements to the narrative, improve composition, and help direct the viewer's attention. These colors can also increase the aesthetic value of street photography, as well as its storytelling potential and overall appeal.
Camera choice for shooting in the streets is subjective and can depend on the budget. Professionals and amateurs will likely choose a mirrorless or DSLR with prime lenses because of their great quality and compactness. However, some street photographers are used to smartphones due to their so far making it not very visible for convenience.
Approach politely, respectfully, and upfront about your intentions to random people while asking for their photograph. You can tell them you are working on a street project as a photographer and would like to click on their portrait. Always respect their decision if they decline.
The laws of photographing strangers vary from country to country, and you must study this issue specifically in your country. Most people have no expectation of privacy in public spaces, but when in doubt, ensure that you are faithful to people and allow them their right to seek privacy.
Of course, practice and developing confidence will help overcome the fear of photographing in public. You may start photographing in less populated areas and then go on to busy streets; most people are indifferent to photographing because of a quirk of fate or dispositions. The more you practice, the more at ease you will feel.
Those will be quite individual and depend greatly on your style and artistic vision. Nevertheless, some standard things can be done in post-processing, including altering the exposure, contrast, and cropping the images for better composition. Try different editing styles to see which one goes well with your shots.
Street photography is a great way to showcase your style, vision, and storytelling skills in your portfolio. Group your images based on a theme or storyline to create a cohesive narrative, paying attention to composition, lighting, and subject matter. You can present your work through an online portfolio or a physical book, offering a professional presentation. Regularly update your portfolio with new images and improvements to keep it fresh and relevant.