Think of street style as a collaborative effort. We walk down the streets of our cities and marvel at the level of individuality display...
Think of street style as a collaborative effort. We walk down the streets of our cities and marvel at the level of individuality displayed by each person that passes. We inspire each other. It's nothing like what comes out of magazine and fashion studios; it's our own and no one can blame us for trying to capture it.
Capturing street style on the go can be intimidating if you're not lugging around a fancy camera. Getting the best pictures can seem impossible with nothing but a smartphone, but with the cameras built in to phones these days, that no longer has to be the case.
It may not be as easy as opening the app and taking a shot, but it's not much more complicated either. Nowadays, phones come equipped with user-friendly settings that will take your street style photography to the next level.
The Best of the Best
Two of the top phones for photography are the iPhone 6s and the Samsung Galaxy S7. Not only do they have some of the best cameras on the market, but they also come with some pretty cool features. For example, the iPhone 6s has a Burst Mode that allows you to hold down the shutter release button to take a continuous stream of pictures. This makes it easier than ever to get the perfect shot.
It Starts with the Camera
Before you go out into battle, you have to prepare your weapon, or in this case, your camera. The easiest way to ensure better quality pictures is to turn on the HDR feature on your phone's camera screen. It makes a huge difference when you compare images.
Another way to make sure that your pictures turn out just right is to manually set the exposure. This means that you control how light or dark the image is without having to go back and edit it afterward. The iPhone allows you to do this by tapping the subject on your screen and moving the sun icon that appears up or down.
To make sure your subject is positioned in the best place, turn on the grid lines on your phone's camera screen and position them firmly in the center of one of the three columns. Not only will this make for a stronger image, but it also allows you to place other cool spots you find while you're out shooting.
Tips & Tricks
Don't forget to always look for good lighting. This may sound like a no-brainer, but you'll be surprised at what a difference it can make when placing your subject.
A good rule of thumb is to shoot with the sun behind you, but this may not always be possible when you're hustling around town. When shooting in the middle of the day with a bright sun in the sky, position yourself or your model in the shade. Just make sure not to stand so close that you cast a shadow over them.
If there's no way to avoid the sun or if you're looking for some more dramatic lighting, position your subject with the sun coming at them from an angle. From there, it's up to you to move them into just the right spot.
When taking street style pictures, don't be scared to be active. Some of the best photographs look completely candid and spontaneous. The basic rules of posing still apply, but in a much more relaxed way. Let the subject's personality shine through just as much as it does with their clothing. For pictures that emulate strength and confidence, have your subject look straight into the lens of your camera. For a more relaxed look, have them look a little to the left or right of your shoulder.
When in doubt, look for inspiration from any of the Instagram greats. In due time, you could be one of them.
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