Chapter 4

Locations and Events

When it comes to buying a home or a place of business, only three things matter: location, location, and location. This applies equally well to street photography. Some locations are fertile grounds for street photography; others are not. The wilderness may be the perfect place to photograph landscapes, wildlife, and mushrooms, but it’s not the best place to capture the bustle of the urban environment.

That being said, there are a lot more places to practice street photography than streets and sidewalks. Street photography is a term that, as indicated by the subtitle of this book, generally applies to candid photography in public places. These public places don’t have to be in large cities, or even in cities at all. You can apply a street shooter’s sensibility to many situations. This is true even if you prefer to document evidence of humanity rather than humanity itself. What follows is a list of promising locations for street photography and the types of subjects you can expect to find in each one. This list is not all-inclusive—there may be other possibilities I haven’t mentioned—but hopefully it will inspire you to venture forth and document the wide variety of public spaces available to you.

Bright Lights, Big City

Street photography as a distinct genre began in major urban centers such as Paris, New York, and London—cities with dense concentrations of people. Not only were the great buildings and grand boulevards captivating subjects, but also the streets were filled with multitudes of people from all walks of life going about their daily activities.

Today’s major cities are still an ideal location for street photography because they offer many people, places, and opportunities for candid photographs. If you happen to live in a major city, you probably have a good idea of what those opportunities are. It should go without saying that if your goal is to photograph people in an urban environment, you need to shoot where and when people are on the streets. (If you’re less interested in people and more interested in documenting the urban landscape, you should do the opposite.)

Big Jackpot, Philadelphia, PA 2013

Busy Streets and Neighborhoods

Whether it’s Broadway, Broad Street, Hollywood Boulevard, or Champs-Élysées, every city has its main drags: the major streets where people walk and congregate. Some streets will be dominated by office workers; others by shoppers, tourists, college students, immigrants, or the working poor. If you know your city well, you can probably already picture the streets and neighborhoods I’m talking about. If you’re unfamiliar with a city, you’re sure to discover its character and rhythms as you explore the streets. A busy metropolis may have dozens of these bustling neighborhoods; a small town may have only one or two. If you’re looking for people in public places for reasons other than a special event, this is where you’re most likely to find them.

Deliveries, Philadelphia, PA 2012

Chinese Grocer, Philadelphia, PA 2011

Large Office Complexes

These complexes have large numbers of office workers and visitors who enter and exit, especially in the mornings, lunch hour, and late afternoon.

Public Squares

These attract people who go to see others and be seen, smoke a cigarette, eat a snack, relax, and enjoy the air.

Pedestrian Malls

These attract a crowd similar to those at public squares; the difference being that pedestrian malls are often bordered by small shops and cafés, and therefore attract more shoppers and diners.

Colleges and Universities

The areas surrounding colleges and universities will have not only students, but the types of clothing, food, and youth-orientated businesses that attract students.

Tourist Attractions

Any place that attracts large numbers of tourists is a natural location to find subjects who are probably taking lots of pictures themselves, and therefore not paying attention to you and your activities.

Comcast Lunch Break, Philadelphia, PA 2014

Waiter, Musée du Louvre, Paris 2013

Train Stations, Bus Terminals, and Airports

These locations are often packed with people of all ages and ethnicities, in constant motion, on their way from one place to another. Unfortunately, because of concerns over perceived “terrorist motives,” photography in such locations is often discouraged or forbidden. Be careful not to arouse attention, and if asked to desist, comply.

Subway Trains and Stations

In addition to all of the qualities of train stations and airports, subway trains offer you the added advantage of being able to photograph relatively stationary subjects while you ride. The catch is that you, too, are captive, at least until the next subway stop—so be extra careful not to antagonize anyone while photographing.

Paris Metro, Paris 2013

Suburban Station, Philadelphia, PA 2011

Museums

Museums offer not only people to photograph, but interesting exhibits as well. Photography is generally permitted, as long as you don’t use a tripod or flash lighting.

MOMA Atrium, New York, NY 2014

Parks and Gardens

Major cities usually have large, multi-acre parks where urban dwellers gather to enjoy trees, lakes, fountains, and open spaces. You’ll find people riding bikes, walking their dogs, playing sports, picnicking, and relaxing.

Dog with Vest, Philadelphia, PA 2012

Open-Air and Flea Markets

These types of markets tend to be more common in European, Asian, or Latin American cities, but most large U.S. cities have them as well. Wherever you find them, they are naturally colorful and attract a diverse cross-section of society, from the vendors to the customers.

Keep in mind that not all cities are the same. You’ll find more and better opportunities for photographs in cities such as New York, Chicago, Paris, London, Tokyo, and Beijing, where millions of people are concentrated into a relatively small geographic area. It’s also nice when a city has a strong public transportation system, because it minimizes automobile traffic, and more people will be out on the streets.

In contrast, western U.S. cities such as Los Angeles, Phoenix, Houston, and Dallas, which also have millions of people, are much more spread out and decentralized into large suburbs. Public transportation is minimal, which increases automobile traffic and decreases pedestrian traffic. This is not to say that such cities are hopeless causes, but be aware that prime locations for street photography are fewer and farther in between.

If you don’t live near a big city or simply don’t care for them, there are other places you can shoot. In fact, you could build a solid portfolio by shooting in just one of the following locations:

African-American Flea Market, Los Angeles, CA 1984

Beaches and Boardwalks

During warm summer months people flock to public beaches, boardwalks, and riverbanks in droves. Some beaches are mainly for swimming and sunbathing, in which case you have to be careful not to be perceived as a voyeur. Other beaches have boardwalks, bike paths, and arcades that attract street performers, as well as hundreds of other people with cameras. In either case, as long as you aren’t attracting undue attention or making a pest of yourself, you can shoot all day without worrying about upsetting anyone.

Girls Jumping From Bridge, Martha’s Vineyard, MA 2014

Girl Watching Waves, Santa Monica, CA 1979

Amusement Parks

Amusement parks attract crowds similar to those at beaches and boardwalks. The difference is that the crowds tend to skew younger because they are so popular with families and teenagers. They (the amusement parks, not the families and teens) tend to have a commercialized, prefabricated look to them, but depending on your vision this could be an advantage. A definite downside is that most require paid admission and can be pricey, so they’re generally not the sort of place you’d visit on a whim.

Intense Carnival Emotion, Abington, PA 2012

Boardwalk Arcade Scene, Wilmington, NC 2013

Events

Big cities, beach, and amusement parks are by no means the only or even the best places to practice street photography, and even if they were, not everyone is fortunate enough to live close to these types of places. However, wherever you live, you can take advantage of events that attract crowds. The best examples include:

Parades

Parades attract large crowds of spectators. You may be just as interested in photographing the spectators as the parade. Keep in mind, however, that it’s generally easier to photograph people who are standing on the side of the street opposite to you. People standing on your side of the street will be facing the parade, which makes it difficult to get far enough in front of them to photograph their faces straight on. You’ll often have to settle for side views.

Rallies and Demonstrations

Political rallies and demonstrations draw crowds of fervent supporters. They can also draw crowds of people who are just as fervently opposed to the stated cause, as well as police officers and security guards who are there to preserve order, and onlookers who are caught somewhere in between. People participate in rallies and demonstrations for the specific purpose of being seen in public, so they are hardly surprised to see photographers documenting the event.

Although this can make for great street theatre and dramatic images, it requires you to be alert, aware of your surroundings, and careful not to be perceived as a threat to the parties involved. When in doubt, ask before you begin taking photographs and be very open about your activities. Furtiveness can easily be mistaken for having suspicious motives. Stop when asked or if the mood turns angry and aggressive.

Will Unite Proletariat, Pasadena, CA 1982

Fairs and Carnivals

Fairs and carnivals are most common in the mid-to-late summer. They attract crowds similar to those at amusement parks, but with more individual, quirky character. For example, these events tend to have sub-events such as pie-eating contests, magic shows, skits, and bands. The attendees are often participants in these events. Either way, everyone is having a fine time and could not care less about someone taking pictures of the festivities.

Outdoor Music Festivals

The types of people you will see at a music festival is largely determined by the type(s) of music featured. Classical and jazz will generally attract a more calm and mature crowd. Rap and rock attract younger, more energetic, uninhibited listeners, though a lot of this depends on the ages of the performers. The latter type of music is much better for street photography, especially if there are lots of other activities and side stages that encourage spectators to walk around, dance, and express themselves. One caveat is to be alert to spectators who are drunk or high on drugs—some people become unpredictable, irrational, and aggressive when under the influence.

With so many choices of places and events to photograph, it’s to be expected that some will interest you more than others. It’s important to determine what type of street photography inspires you the most in order to hone your particular style. If you’re photographing people simply because they happen to be in the same place at the same time as you, you’re just going through the motions of street photography without developing your aesthetic. That’s fine in the beginning, when you’re starting out and trying to discover what locations and subjects interest you the most, but for your work to have greater meaning and value over time, you will eventually need to establish a deeper connection to the locations where you choose to photograph. Many street photographers become so familiar with a chosen location that they know exactly where and when they plan to visit, down to the month, day, and hour. They know what camera and lens they will use and where and when the light is best. You can do the same—this will allow you to photograph subjects that interest and inspire you the most, and develop your photographic aesthetic.

Kids Watching Monkey, Los Angeles County Fair, Los Angeles, CA 1979

Teens Waiting for Amusement, Abington, PA 2012