Working with available Light
One of the things to remember when shooting street photography is that the light is always changing. Cathal pointed out that this is something to bear in mind when scouting out a location, as a bright sunny location on one day might be grey, flat and miserable the next.
Photo by Dawn O’Connor
‘When you return to a location, it may look completely different if the light changes,’ says Cathal. ‘You have to get into the habit of turning the camera on as soon as you get to an area and taking a lightmeter reading through your lens. Keep doing this throughout the day. If you plan ahead you will be ready for anything.
The last thing you want to do is find the perfect shot and then realise that your exposures are ruined because you assumed the light in one area was the same as in another. In street photography you’ll be moving from open space to enclosed areas, such as alleyways, all the time. The light in these places is very different. Two clicks of the dial to tweak the exposure can change everything. When you look at a preview of a shot and it’s underexposed or overexposed, the next shot should be perfect. That’s what the LCD screen is for – there’s no excuse.’
Trust your Conscience
According to Cathal, the first thing that must be understood about shooting people in the street is to be respectful. ‘Street photography isn’t the same as a professional assignment where it’s crucial that you get a shot that day,’ says Cathal. ‘If you’re photographing someone, be respectful of them.
Photo by Dawn O’Connor
Trust your conscience. If you’re not happy taking the picture, then don’t do it. If you feel like you’re showing a person in a bad light, then stop. If you’re faced with a shot of someone who is homeless or rather obese and you point your camera at him or her, then you have to question why you’re doing it. Why have you chosen this person? Is it to mock them? It may be an easy subject, but you have to set standards. Be fair and feel empathy for your subject. Remember that your camera is a powerful tool.’
