Contessa Kintzer - How To Create Better Street Photograph: A Must Have For Street Photographers

As I continue my exploration into the fascinating and rewarding art of drawing with light, this little book will share my thoughts and lessons learned about street photography. About a year ago, I started exploringDublin's streets as a street photographer. I captured some of the everchanging sights and learned a few tips that may help others who areconsidering this style. Welcome to my world. I hope you find some of mythoughts interesting or helpful.

Photo by Shay Hunston
This way...

This is an easy way to capture street photography. It's the dark alleyway that ends in light. This one stood out to me because of the arrow pointed back at me. I then got down low, much to the amusement of a truck driver, who drove into the alleyway. Then, Iwaited for a passerby, while they added the movement. They were watched by two mannequins from the shop window across. The shot isdominated by the yellow lines on either side of it. Is it out? This image has an arrow that turns the normal flow for the viewer's attention inthis direction, which adds interest and dynamic.

These are just my thoughts and observations. Although I am onlyscratching the surface of the topic, the joy that comes from sharing, making, and taking street photos has brought back my love for photography in a way I haven't felt in a while.

As we all embark on a journey to improve our skills and see the beauty in creating images that are meaningful to us, I would like to share some of my steps with you.

This project is ongoing, so check the website (more details below) to see allimages and information about the project.
I paraphrase Ralph McTell's wonderful song "The Song of Ralph McTell..." Window shopping

One of my first street photos was taken window shopping on a Saturday afternoon in a bustling street filled with people. I took up a spot a fewfeet away from the large shop window, and waited for it to open. The woman with the headphones leaps out of the frame. She's so clear that it can even be seen through the glass. This "lucky" chance is what makes street photography so enjoyable.

This book is a great example of why you should write one. There are manypodcasts that talk about self-improvement and development. One of the main themes is "Just do it!" With photography, it is easy to createhundreds of thousands of images and then have them sitting on your harddrive. A few may make it onto social media and pick up likes for a coupleof days before disappearing from your feed.

It's easy for me to look at the photographers and authors who haveinfluenced and continue to influence my development. I have never allowed myself to get past this wall and tried to make something more permanent, a mark in the sands that could be seen by other photographers who are trying to master this amazing craft. Here's me, "just doing it!" I hope you find inspiration, knowledge, or ideas to helpyou in your own explorations.

You can find the website for this project at

https://www.houghtonphoto.com/streets-of-dublin . The project's images are divided into several galleries that will be updated as moreinformation becomes available.

You can also find other activity that results from the project recorded here. My school is working with me on a collaborative project in whichthe images are used to inspire creative writing pieces by students. Therehas been some media interest. All will be updated on the website.

Image technical data

Knowing that photographers may want to know how their camera settings affect the images they see, I have included technical informationabout each image in the book. This includes the shutter speed, exposure, model, lens, ISO, and order by title. The aperture is f/1 because I used a manual lens (probably the Olympus 85mm or Meike 25mm) with anadapter that didn't allow the camera to record the aperture information.

Happy days

As I was walking to a meeting at Dublin Institute of Technology, AungierStreet, Happy Days was captured. I was so taken by the energy and life of these students that I stopped to take a picture. Street photographydoes what it is supposed to: capture the interaction and life of youngpeople congregating there and prompt the viewer to question what made them laugh or what just happened to provoke the reactions seenin the frame.

Catching up

As I walked up to The Spire, Catching up... was what caught my attention on O'Connell Street. It was initially a Penneys window that featured the potential for something to happen. As I walked up to The Spire, the scene as it happened occurred as the lady to the left squatted down and her friend chatted with her. The way the little boy on the poster above seems to be looking at them both is beautiful. And the man to my right is looking behind me which adds an additional layer to the story.

Since many years I have been a photographer trainer, primarily usingNikon DSLRs. However, this was something that became a problem forme. Although I could take technically excellent shots in most situations, I struggled to find the right images for me. I also didn't feel any emotionalconnection with these images as I revisited them. They looked amazingon the screen, but they didn't matter to me in any meaningful way.

As is the case with most things in life, there are always new ways to see, frame, or approach the world. As I began to notice the weight of my DSLRgear, I started to be more aware. I took along a Nikon D810, pro lensesand sometimes filters, as well as a tripod, filters, and a bag. Even though I had purchased good straps to better distribute the load, I still felt sore and aching when I got home.

Although we have been able to make a few family trips to South Africa, I found that packing camera gear was becoming almost an obsession with my wife and our two young children. It was difficult to decide whichlenses I should take, which ones to keep behind, and how many gadgetsand gizmos our gear acquisition syndrome filled our shelves with. Nowdon't get me wrong, I love my Nikon gear. The D810's weight androbustness, as well as the precise and solid operation of the lenses andmy tripod legs made of heavy Manfrotto Manfrotto, are all reasons I lovemy Nikon gear. The way I slow down and think when I shoot with filters, a tripod and a wide-angle lens is what I love. It's a challenge to use my600mm lens to find a bird in flight while still getting sharp, wellconstructed shots.