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
Use these ideas for instant results. Below, 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. For extra inspiration, look at the work of Matt Hall or Darren Sacks.
Look for people focusing on something.
Of course, you can change the action to anything. However, focusing on a particular activity 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 on the street
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 mustaches.
Look to Matt Peers for inspiration on this: https://www.instagram.com/mattjpeers/?hl=en.
Street photography 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. Photograph the people who pass and all the events that happen there during that period. Notice how the light changes, too.
For a longer street photography project, you can photograph one location throughout the year, showing how it changes with the seasons.
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.
Markets and other events are often happening. Those can make interesting photo subjects, too: a rally, a promotional event, or a 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 as you roam around the city.
Find objects to shoot through.
Anything from windows with graffiti and scratches to plastic covers on construction sites, 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. 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.
You can look at Oscar Wollsten for inspiration on double exposure and other interesting techniques.
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.
Street Photography Themes
Sometimes, just going out and wanting to photograph the city can feel overwhelming. Giving yourself a specific theme for the day acts like a filter for your eyes, helping you narrow down your options and focus on a single narrative. Themes are slightly different from techniques; they are about the subject matter rather than how you use your camera.
The color study
Pick a single, vibrant color before you leave the house (like red, yellow, or blue) and only photograph scenes where that color is the prominent subject. You will be amazed at how quickly your brain starts isolating that color in clothing, street signs, cars, and storefronts. This theme is an excellent way to train your eye to look for pops of contrast in urban environments.
You can go even further by photographing only certain color combinations. Like pink and green.
Commuters and transit
Public transportation is the lifeblood of any city. Focus your lens on the daily commute. Photograph people waiting at bus stops, the expressions of passengers looking out of train windows, or the rush of the crowd descending into a subway station. Try to photograph several modes of transportation and see how they interact differently with the street.
Urban geometry and shadows
Shift your focus from the people to the city itself. Look for harsh lines, symmetrical architecture, and deep, dramatic shadows (this works best during the golden hour). Once you find a great geometric frame or a long shadow cast across a wall, just wait for the right subject to walk into your composition to complete the shot.
Window shopping and cafe culture
Shop windows and cafes provide a natural barrier that often makes people feel unobserved, leading to incredibly candid moments. Look for the juxtaposition between the mannequins in a shop window and the people walking past them. Alternatively, capture the cozy, quiet moments of people reading, chatting, or people-watching from behind the glass of a local coffee shop.
Ideas for long-term street photography projects
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.
The different events happening in the city
Make a habit of going to most, if not all, events in your city. They can be big or small. Show how your city lives and celebrates special occasions, or even have small events to entertain yourselves.
For example, I regularly try to visit running events, car events, Pride, and so much more in my city.
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.
Street photography inspiration & examples
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!