As you explore cities and towns across North America, you might come across some interesting fashion choices. Aspiring street style photographers can capture those looks with some tips and techniques. Whether you are aiming to capture some of fashion’s most fashionable trends in NYC or the effortless style of a small town cafe, capturing North American street style is an exciting way to document and express these unique beauty and trends. Read on for tips on how to begin street style photography today!
1. Street Style Photography 101
Street style photography is a type of photography that records everyday people – not models or staged scenes – in their regular surroundings. It can be captured anywhere, from the subway to that least expected street corner. It’s an emerging art form, and one that a lot of people are interested in trying.
Where to Spot Your Subject: Capturing a good street style shot starts with finding a good subject. Strutting along the sidewalk or attending a popular festival is your best bet (thanks to the lively atmosphere and creative fashion). Keep an eye out for urban backstreets, metro stations, outdoor concerts or flea markets.
- Subway Stations
- Streets and Sidewalks
- Open-Air Markets
- Outdoor Concerts
- Fashion Events
- Pop-Up Stores
Get the Right Camera: Street photography requires a fast and responsive camera, because you may only have a few seconds to capture a shot. DSLR’s are a popular choice, as are mirrorless cameras. If you’re a beginner, opting for a lighter camera might make it easier to take photos on the go. Invest in a good lens too – a 50mm prime lens works well for street style shots.
Shoot from the Right Angle: Move and mix it up! Experiment with different moments and angles. Shoot from the hip or over the shoulder. Capture passersby walking naturally, or you can take a candid portrait of your subject. Fresnoing-up your subject is a classic technique, too.
Be Responsible and Respected: Respectful ethos is important in street photography. Before taking a shot, ask the person’s permission. Respect their privacy and don’t try to capture any potentially damaging moments. Street photography is a great way to document the daily lives of people from around the world, so it should be done in a way that doesn’t offend or hurt anyone.
2. Making the Most of North American Styles
North America is globally renowned for its distinctive style. Its stylish, independent spirit defines fashion and design trends all over the world. No matter where you call home, you can benefit from taking a closer look at North American fashion and home décor.
High-Quality Materials. North American styles feature a lot of natural materials, like wood, jute, and wool. Furniture pieces and décor objects crafted from these materials are not only beautiful, but also highly durable and rare. You can trust that items made from North American style materials will stand the test of time.
Maximizing Space. North American style is all about making the most of the space around you. Innovative furniture solutions and storage options ensure every item has an ergonomic purpose. You can use these guidelines in your home or office to maximize space and create a harmonious atmosphere.
Be Bold. North American style is all about boldness and taking risks. Accent walls, daring wallpaper choices, and antique furniture pieces can come together to create an unforgettable atmosphere. Step out of your comfort zone and unleash your inner designer with North American style.
Modernizing Classics. North American style is also all about modernizing classics and mixing old with new. For example, you can find a vintage dresser and give it a modern paint job. Or, give an old rocking chair an upholstered cushion to create a cozy yet industrial feel. The possibilities are endless.
Eco-Friendly. North American style incorporates nature-friendly materials that can be easily recycled and reused. Simple solutions like bamboo flooring tiles and sisal rugs can help make green living easier. By investing in sustainable materials, you can create an inviting, eco-friendly home filled with North American style.
3. Strategies for Capturing the Best Street Style Looks
There’s nothing quite like street style photography – it’s bold, stylish, and highly sought-after by fashion lovers around the world. If you’re looking to capture the perfect street style look, here are a few strategies to help you get the job done.
Watch the Crowds
To be an effective street style photographer, you need to know where to look. The best places for spotting great street style looks are open public spaces like markets, music festivals, and parks. Take a look around to see who stands out in the crowd – those are the people you’ll want to snap.
Consider the Elements
When scouting for a great street style look, pay special attention to the elements of fashion. That means taking in everything from necklines and accessories to the overall silhouette and fit of the outfit. The combinations you find will be the ones that make for truly amazing street style photos.
Focus on Color
Color plays a key role in street style photography. Bright colors add vibrancy to photos and make them more eye-catching. Look for bold monochromatic looks and fashionable color blocking to capture unique and stunning ensembles.
Choose Your Backgrounds Wisely
For street style photography, the background matters just as much as the subject. Look for intriguing backdrops like murals, graffiti, or unique urban structures – they’ll help your street style look really pop.
Be Creative
Finally, don’t be afraid to get creative with your street style photography. Try incorporating props like newspapers, umbrellas, and hats into the shot, or experimenting with unique angles – it’ll help you capture a truly one-of-a-kind look.
4. Keys to Compelling Street Style Photography
1. Explore different viewpoints: Every street style photographer is different and has their own unique way of interpreting a scene or person. To stand out among your peers, explore different ways of expressing a fashion moment. Try different angles, angles of isolating one outfit, and angles that capture the whole environment. Taking time to look for unexpected perspectives can bring great results.
2. Capture candid moments: Street style photography has an atmosphere of “catching” a certain moment or trend on the spot. It can be a challenge, but also very exciting. Look out for people expressing certain style elements in a unique way that will capture their true personality: a playful look, a hairdo that caught your eye, and so on. When you spot that moment, take your shot.
3. Emphasize the details: Paying attention to the details will draw viewers in and bring street looks to life. Capture accessories like jewelry, bags, and hats that can give the outfit a unique appearance. Capture how the fabric falls, how light hits the clothes, and any patterns that stand out. These little elements, when captured correctly, can be the difference between an okay shot and a great one.
4. Choose a style and stick to it: Street style photography comes in many different forms. With so much creative potential, it can be hard to decide on a style or a look that works for you. If you’re struggling to find your own signature style, try experimenting with different filters, lenses, and exposure techniques. Once you find something that works, stick to it and refine it over time.
5. Be creative with editing: Editing can make or break an image. It can be used to make simple color adjustments, or to take an image to the next level. Invest some time in familiarizing yourself with a few creative practices, like high and low key editing, lens and lighting effects, and vivid color contrast. These tools can turn an average street style shot into a real eye-catcher.
Now that you have the tips you need to get started on your North American street style photography journey, may you capture the trends, styles, and fashion that make the continent so diverse and vibrant!
