It happens to see photographers who, despite having been doing street photography for years, show no room for improvement. Why? What is the reason that doesn’t allow them to evolve? In this post I will try to provide advice based on my experience.

Let me say a thing, before to start: first of all I consider that you have real knowledge of what street photography is. If not, I suggest you read my little guide to street photography that you find at the top of this blog, divided into 18 chapters.

OK, now you are ready to go to the next level. You know the masters, you have acquired that knowledge base that allows you to consider yourself a street photographer. And now what? Now you need to become a street photographer able to talk with your inner voice and proposing content that can be recognized as your trademark.

Constantly re-discussing your photography

When I went to Los Angeles I met photographers using different techniques from mine. Even using the flash in people's faces and this, even though I had seen Bruce Gilden videos, surprised me and then I wanted to try.

I purhcased a bif flash unit, a Yongnuo 560 with a controller and I started to flash people in Mexico City that is not something anyone can do. It is risky, more than other places. It exposed me to confrontations, but with a smile i solved positively most of the times. I learned a lot from this approach different from mine. This is how my Reality Remade project was born, which has had a good response, published in various online and non-online magazines.

2. Dare to do your own thing

When I realized this photograph I was using a Samsung NX200 with a kit lens. Something that was not even considered by other street photographers. I shot keeping to the focal range of 18mm and I used the built-in flash. Many photographers would be horrified.

To make this one I can reveal you that I took the shot finding myself behind the girls and then in post production I overturned the image because and so I had thought of it. I am not used to doing this and I do not like to flip images, but in that case I have contradicted my beliefs because the image obtained justifies it.

Don’t follow the rules and beliefs of others. your only mission is to make personal photography. Photographs that are able to show your inner voice.

Mi querida Oaxaca - Cuilapam de Guerrero, Oaxaca, 2018

3. Be willing to put yourself on the line

I was completely drunk when I made this photo. So much mezcal was running through my veins that day. And I found myself in a popular barrio almost without realizing it. The context was the neighborhood party. Happy and tipsy people, like me. It certainly was borderline and risky behavior. I am a foreigner and it shows. And this exposes me, here, more than local photographers.

But I believe that first is life and then photography and therefore you must be ready to bleed to drop a few drops on your story with images. I was perfectly integrated in that context and this allowed me to take photographs without forcing and obtain spontaneous shots like the one you see above.

4. Open yourself to the raw story

I have been told that many do not feel comfortable with the stories I often present. But that was never my intention.

I live in a popular barrio and part of my work is concentrated in the working-class neighborhoods next to mine. These are fantastic places full of humanity and great food. But, of course, reality is not only made up of positive things and, in particular, in the barrios there is also violence, drugs, prostitution.

The street is raw!

I'm not even a photographer who focuses particularly on negative things, but I don't censor them either. I am a documentary street photographer and I document with my camera, avoiding a sweetened and politically correct gaze.

For me Street Photography is not just about Downtown. That is for those who want to always feel safe.

5. Try to propose photographs where something really happens

If photographing is given by observation, the good street photographer is one who pays attention to detail. And where a little thing like a gesture I can give you a photograph.

And therefore you will have to be quick to catch it and shoot. And you will have to be able to solve the visual equation, that ability that allows you not only to grasp it but to make it evident to the eye of the beholder. And this comes down to your ability to make a composition that works.

This involves positioning with respect to the subject, way of aiming the camera, framing and shooting. They are all choices that are done in a few moments. And here you can see the skill of the street photographer.

6. Choose reality over sensationalism

What has worked for me for years is this desire to show reality rather than scream content. Eventually certain things can even make you say wow but then they don't last long. I'm interested in a photograph that you want to see again, a bit like what happens to me with the photos of my heroes, Joel Meyerowitz and Garry Winogrand.

I didn’t change my mind all over these years and not even the advent of instagram that fostered a certain spectacular mentality made me change my approach.

7. Street Photography is a 7 days activity

No excuses. If you are not a professional photographer it doesn’t matter. You need to carry always a camera with you. The photos don't come alone and if you reduce this to a weekend thing you will never be a real street photographer.

Street photography is a way of life.

How to be a better Street Photographer

The resources for the Street Photographer in this blog

An inspired street photographer 6