My first attempt at street photography with the Oly 12mm

Sergey Borachev wrote:

We all have to start somewhere and a new way of shooting takes some experimenting and learning.   It's good you tried to shoot in a great variety of ways with the 12mm.

Street shooting however usually mean the type of shooting that Robin Wong and Kai do a lot of.  Go to Robin Wong's blog or Kai's reviews of say the X100 (Digitalrev).  You can find them easily if you google.  They are great street shooters IMO.

One thing I noticed is that you have yet to be bold enough to point your camera towards someone.  That, and not just the skills is one of the hardest things to learn.  Street photos look more interesting with people and not just their backs.

It takes time and a thick face, but to start try one of the most common tricks to build up your confidence - letting someone walk into your frame.  If you notice some interesting character, dressed in a good colour to add contrast to your picture, etc, just point your camera a little in front of their path and get everything set up right and then just click when the person or persons walked into the right spot of your picture.  People would think you were trying to take a picture of whatever was there before they walked up.  Use zone focusing, a high ISO and get everything ready for the shot, and even take a shot before and/or afterwards to look like you are interested in a shot of the scene and not of them them.

Example. You find a nice ancient shop front, a traditioanl Chinese teahouse or herbal shop.  Get everything set up and the best angle etc and then wait for someone interesting to come out of the shop, maybe an old man in traditional clothing etc and then shoot him.  Or, if you see some interesting street sign like the one you posted, but needed some more interest, some life and action or people.  Wait and take some trial shots to get ready and find the best angle, and hope someone comes, stop, or even better look up or point at the sign.  Click.

BTW 12mm is OK but a bit too wide for some shots of people as you would be getting a bit too close for comfort to have a good size image of them.  17mm or 20mm would be better.  25mm and longer would be even easier and more comfortable to use as you would be shooter from more distance but the results usually do not have as much impact for want of a stronger perspective.  Good luck and have fun.  You will get used to it quickly.

Thanks Sergey for your comments.

Will try shooting with the 20mm next time.

Good tips on letting people walk into your frame.

Cheers