Settings Breakdown
Auto ISO frees you to focus on composition, not settings. Set minimum shutter (1/250s) and max ISO (3200-6400). Camera handles the rest.
Moderate apertures ensure your subject is sharp even with quick, imprecise focusing. Zone/hyperfocal focusing works best with smaller apertures.
Fast shutter freezes pedestrians, cyclists, and your own movement. Street photography is reactive — you need speed to capture fleeting moments.
Zone focusing (manual, pre-set distance) is fastest for street. Or use continuous AF with wide zone area mode for tracking unpredictable subjects.
Classic street focal lengths. 35mm is the sweet spot — wide enough for context, not so wide it distorts. 28mm for environmental, 50mm for portraits.
Electronic/silent shutter keeps you discreet. No click alerts subjects to your presence, allowing more natural candid moments.
Pro Tips
Blend In
Small cameras, no flash, quiet shutters. Look like a tourist or local. The less attention you draw, the more authentic moments you'll capture.
Anticipate Moments
Find an interesting background or light, wait for subjects to enter the frame. Hunting for shots is harder than letting shots come to you.
Work the Scene
Don't just snap and move. If a scene is interesting, shoot it multiple ways. Wait for different people. Try different angles. Explore it.
Light Over Location
Chase interesting light, not just interesting places. Harsh shadows, dramatic beams, reflections create compelling images anywhere.
Get Close
Robert Capa said "If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough." Fill the frame. Engage with your surroundings.
Shoot From the Hip
With pre-focused lens at f/8, shoot without raising camera. Yields surprising compositions and truly candid expressions.