
Street Photography Quick Tip 7 – Work the Scene
Sunday is here and time for another of my Street Photography Quick Tips. One of those short, easy to read and easy to use tips that I think could help you while shooting in the streets. Today’s post is about maximizing an interesting street scene. Don’t just walk away when you took one interesting shot. Working the scene from different angles just might pay off. If you want to find out more, continue reading after the jump…

While roaming through Portland the other night a brightly lit storefront of a H&M shop caught my eye, with headshots of models looking out on the dark streets. From experience I was sure that this could make a good backdrop for some street photography, so I placed myself on the opposite sidewalk and waited for people to pass in front of the lit windows. The thing was, it was way past 9pm (happens when you work all day and evening on a business trip) and the Yamhill Street near Pioneer Square was pretty much deserted. Finally a couple walked by and I squeezed of a first shot with 1/10 sec to get blurred silhouettes.
And here is where the tip comes in. Don’t just walk away once you get your first shot. Look if you can vary it or if you can take a photo from a different angle or different shooting specs.

Portland MAX (Metropolitan Area Express) Light Rail Trains are passing through Yamhill Street. So I thought I try to shoot the models through the windows of a passing train. Using a low shutter speed of just 1/5 sec I knew the models faces would be visible behind the motion blurred train car that would be just visible as phantom streaks (the title image is another version of this variant).

But I was still not done. On the opposite side of Yamhill street was a big Microsoft store. And the H&M model posters reflected beautifully over the MS laptops. So this was another variant of the original scene.

My last shot of the scene was similar to the first one. Pedestrians in front of the store windows. Only I wanted to have them sharp (hence 1/80 sec shutter speed) and I photographed them leaving the frame, as the intended story is their ignorance towards the advertisement.
So you see, plenty options for one setting. Make sure you really “work” the scene next time you are out in the streets and find an interesting backdrop.
All photos taken with the Olympus PEN-F and the mZuiko 12-40mm F/2.8 Pro Zoom.
Have a great Sunday!
Marcus
Related Posts:
Street Photography Quick Tip (6)
Street Photography Quick Tip (5)
Street Photography Quick Tip (4)
Street Photography Quick Tip (3)
Street Photography Quick Tip (1)
Street Photography Quick Tip (2)
Wow, I discovered your Posts far too late.
I have no talent for fotography at all, but for my Page I am now forced to learn it.
And I am also enjoying it.
Your pictures are amazing. I am anxious to learn more. Thanks a lot!
Thank you so much Matthias, I’m blown away by your kind words! Marcus
Thank you for the tips! Super helpful.
You are so welcome, I have to thank for the great feedback! Marcus
Thanks for the tip! I especially liked the train version. Never would have guessed that’s what it was or thought to try that.
Glad you found it useful – thanks for taking the time to comment! Happy Easter! Marcus
Great shots Marcus and wonderful tips to keep in mind. -Amy
Thanks so much Amy, much appreciated ! Marcus
Great work. Representation of black and white pictures is so beautiful. As an Photographer i can understand your efforts and even i started writing tips to help new photographers to make career in photography, you can see my work at https://www.behance.net/NitinKhannaOR and also let me know if there is something to add-on.
Thanks Nitin, appreciate your kind words. Will check out your site! All the best! Marcus
Thank you for your words and wishes.
Ach was soll ich sagen, ich finds mal wieder richtig grandios! GErade die erste Szene mit den vorbeigehenden Fussgängern… Soooo gut. Ein Motiv, das ich auf jeden Fall auch auf dem Schrim gehabt hätte (glaube/hoffe ich) wenn ich dort die Kamera zur Hand haben würde. Klasse!
Oh danke sehr, das ist ja wieder ein schönes Lob zum Wochenanfang! Wünsche Dir eine gute und kreative Woche! Marcus
Danke, Dir auch!!!
Thank you….excellent advice and superbly illustrated with your photographs. I rarely shoot at night so this story inspires me to start.
Thanks, love your comment 🙂 ! Would love to see some nigh shots from you! Have a good week! Marcus
Thank you Marcus and I agree with your advice. Patience can be a virtue of street photograph.
Thanks for your great words, Tim!
You’re welcome
Great suggestions and fantastic pictures! I was waiting for your street photos from Portland:)
Thanks 🙂 there will be more 😉
Excellent suggestions. Fun to see my neighborhood through your eyes!
Thanks 🙂 there is more to come over the coming months 😉
Thanks Marcus! Great images and idea. I appreciate your tips… always rekindles my sense of adventure out there. 🙂
That’s the intention for these posts in the first place 🙂 ! Thanks for the feedback and happy Sunday! Marcus
😙❤ lol. I knew that. 😄
Wonderful photos and excellent tip.
Thank you so much 🙂 , love your feedback!
Good idea for me to keep in mind – thanks 🙂
You are welcome 🙂 – thanks for commenting ! Have a great Sunday! Marcus
Very nice and informative article.
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I found two best course for it
1.http://bit.ly/2mspIjT
2.http://bit.ly/2mTdyy6
Excellent post sir!