Going out on the streets usually sparks an idea for street photography, but what if you are in a photographer’s block and can’t find anything to photograph? For that, I have this inspiration list.
Often, it’s best to try to find something for yourself. Inspiration can hit you from unexpected corners. Going somewhere new can usually help, or trying out a new technique. Maybe borrowing a friend’s camera or lens can help, too.
But sometimes, those tools aren’t available, or you just don’t feel like it. So, we can chase ideas and try to (re)spark our inspiration that way.
Table of contents
Street photo ideas for right this second
These ideas can be used for instant results. Later, I’ll also give some ideas for long-term projects. But for now, let’s focus on what you can try out today.
Street photo ideas for people photos
Find silhouettes
Silhouettes can make exciting and graphic subjects in photos. Photographing people into the sun or in front of other light sources usually produces a good silhouette. Observe the work of Matt Hall or Darren Sacks for extra inspiration.
Look for people focusing on something.
Of course, you can change the action to anything. However, focusing on a particular action can help narrow the options, which usually sparks more inspiration. Find people reading books, posters, menus, or anything else.
Look for fashion
You can either look for fashionable people and ask to photograph them, or look for specific clothing items, such as shoes. Photograph all the different types of footwear you see throughout your walk.
Make a portrait
You can also ask people to pose for you. Find interesting-looking people and ask if they’d like a quick portrait. You can photograph people in general or look for specific attributes, like moustaches.
Look to Matt Peers for inspiration on this: https://www.instagram.com/mattjpeers/?hl=en.
Street photo location ideas
Find one spot and photograph all the movement there
Find one spot somewhere and photograph it for a while. Tell yourself to be there for an hour. Photographing the people who pass and all the events that happened there during that period. Notice how the light changes, too.
Find a place where you can look down.
A higher vantage point, like a bridge, gives you a new perspective on the streets. Looking down on people, cars, and the city can give you new ideas. The shadows of people walking can often give you interesting photos.
See how people interact with a construction zone.
In every city, roadworks and construction zones obstruct passages. Often, the fences and signs make for interesting subjects already. But you can also observe how people interact with these zones, passing through, going around, or struggling with any obstacle.
Find a market or event happening.
Often, markets or other events are happening. Those can make interesting photo subjects, too—a rally, promotional, or sporting event. Frequently, there are people there. And usually, they don’t mind being photographed, either.
Look at Tom Pitts’ Cheltenham Races series for inspiration.
Abstract street photo ideas
Look for reflections
Reflections can give you interesting new angles. Once you start looking for them, you can find them everywhere: shop windows, puddles on rainy days, car mirrors, and people’s sunglasses…
They give you an interesting new way to frame your subjects.
Keep an eye out for textures.
Textures can be exciting as a standalone, in a series, or as an addition for double exposure. So go out and find textures in ripped posters, walls, floors, …
Focus on the elements of the buildings
You can make a collection of attractive front doors, for example. Or the nicest flowerbeds. You can also focus on other elements of buildings and houses. And, of course, you can find a street art route. Inspire yourself with other people’s work while roaming around the city.
Find objects to shoot through.
Anything from windows with graffiti and scratches to plastic covers on construction sites to bus stops and even umbrellas.
Shooting through these can add extra layers and textures to your shots.
Look for juxtapositions
This can add more story to your images. Combining two things that aren’t usually combined or contrasting can make for an interesting shot. Or two very similar things, like someone wearing clothes that mimic their surroundings.
Look for animals
One of the most famous street photography books is Dogs by Elliot Erwitt. It’s just full of dogs he saw on the street. Of course, you don’t have to limit yourself to dogs or even one pet. You can go for a collection of pets, you see, or of the wilder animals, like pigeons, you encounter.
Photograph people engaging the seagulls. Or people interacting with those horse-drawn carriages.
Techniques to try for street photos
Find things in motion
This can be people walking, running, or even playing soccer. Or, of course, you can find a corner where cars and other vehicles pass by. A slower shutter speed blurs the background, enhancing the movements.
Go to your local skate park and freeze their movements
Like the motions I mentioned above, you can go to a skate park and freeze the skaters’ motion there. You can try to freeze their motion as they jump up and do tricks.
Make a diptych or triptych
You can do this with already existing photos or create new ones. Consider combining two or three pictures into a diptych or triptych.
Look at Nina Welch-Kling for inspiration on great diptychs.
Make one photo on each aperture setting of a lens (use full stops)
Choose one lens, go out, and take one photo on each aperture setting. For example, a 50mm with 1.8, 2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22, 32
This will force you to think of what type of shot is best for the aperture you choose. Usually, you won’t do a cityscape on f1.8. Just as you won’t do a portrait on f22
Try double exposure
Trying out fun new techniques can also inspire you. Double exposure is a popular one. You can either do it in camera or use Photoshop. Trying and toying around with this will deliver visually exciting results.
Use your flash on the streets
Using flash can be daunting, but it can also provide interesting results. Getting out on the streets with a small flash might give you different colors, lighting, or reactions than you’re used to.
Ideas for long-term projects on street photography
Apart from the ideas you can use to spark your creativity right now, you can also use these ideas for longer-term projects on street photography.
The different seasons of the city/ specific place
Explore how the different seasons affect the city. Does one location look different in summer and winter? Or are the town and roads used differently during different seasons? That could become an exciting topic.
Or people may behave differently. They may use different roads, wear other clothes, and relax less in public spaces.
Portraits of people
Ask people you find interesting if you can make their portraits. Doing this for a while will surely give you an exciting series of portraits. You can also go specific and photograph only one type of person (for example, people wearing sunglasses, …)
Look at Amy Horowitz for inspiration on this.
The different events happening in the city
Make a habit of going to most, if not all, events in your city. They could be big ones or small ones. Show how your city lives and celebrates special occasions, or even have small events to entertain yourselves.
Only black and white for a set period
Give yourself limitations, like shooting only black and white for a period. You can also set your electronic viewfinder to monochrome to help you out. Of course, if you’re already shooting in BW a lot, you can limit yourself to color photography.
One location, same time, different day
If you have limited time, for example, only after work, you can easily complete this challenge. Every day, at the same time, right after work, you can photograph this one spot nearby.
Over the years, the light will change. It might be dark in winter, but there’s still harsh sunlight in summer. This way, you can easily observe a place from all its different aspects.
What ideas do you or did you use to be inspired? Let me know in the comments below!
A really exhaustive list of possibilities, Fred. And this is to me, be open to anything!