Street photography is a fascinating, unpredictable, and dynamic genre that engages many photographers worldwide. With a camera and alert eyes, many everyday moments, as well as more special events, are captured. Street photography shares many traits with what is often termed documentary photography, both in execution and purpose. Thus, the genre can be regarded as a form of documentary. For me, the foundation of street photography is that the lives of others are more exciting than my own.

Text and Photos: Bjørn Joachimsen • bjorn.joachimen@gmail.com

What is street photography? There are many boundaries we can define to outline this, but primarily, we’re not aiming to narrow the genre too much by creating definitions. Instead, let’s talk about what we seek when we’re out with our cameras.

Our starting point can be the thought that others’ lives are more exciting than our own, and our role is to be storytellers. Sometimes we hunt for the unique moment, the peculiar—even the “weird.” But we can just as easily seek to capture the “everyday moments.”

Street photography can be seen as a form of documentary photography, with the peculiarity that the moments captured occur in public spaces. What these public spaces should be doesn’t need to be strictly defined. You can photograph in many places other than what is conventionally defined as streets. Just as easily, bring the camera to beaches, forests, parks, a central station, or a museum. You can photograph and publish images taken in almost any type of public space. Here, we encourage creativity.

**Kraków**. Poland. Photo: Bjørn Joachimsen.

The History of Street Photography

The historical roots of street photography can be traced back to the late 1800s, when photography became more accessible and was used as a tool to document everyday life in urban settings. Pioneering photographers like Eugène Atget in Paris and Jacob Riis in New York captured cityscapes, architecture, and social conditions to document and raise public awareness about social issues.

In the 1920s and 1930s, a modernist movement within documentary photography emerged, where artists like Paul Strand and Henri Cartier-Bresson focused on capturing spontaneous moments in daily life, often with an artistic approach. Cartier-Bresson especially contributed with the concept of the "decisive moment,” referring to taking pictures of moments full of meaning and essence. From the post-war period to today, street photographers have used photography to illustrate urban culture, marginalized groups, and changes in cityscapes, making street photography both an art form and a valuable social document.

A notable photographer in this genre is Vivian Maier, who during her lifetime took thousands of images of city life in Chicago and New York. Only after her death were her extensive works discovered and recognized, which has contributed to strengthening the understanding of street photography as a form of private observation with great artistic value. This movement has evolved in line with technological and societal changes, with both amateurs and professionals helping to shape and enrich this creative and socially oriented genre.

Vienna. Austria. Photo: Bjørn Joachimsen.

The Unposed Moment

Typical characteristics of the street photography genre often include capturing spontaneous moments of everyday life in urban environments, focusing on documenting people, activities, environments, and moods occurring in street settings. The photos are expected to have a natural, relentless, and honest character, where situations should preferably not be staged. The composition should ideally emphasize the spontaneity and dynamics of the moment, so the images convey authenticity and immediacy. In addition, the use of natural light and a documentary approach that provides insight into urban life is often valued, along with the ability to capture the unpredictable and genuine in the urban landscape.

The Spontaneous and the Unpredictable

Interpreting the characteristics of street photography freely can provide several advantages. It opens up greater creativity and individual expression, leading to more unique and personal images. When not restricted by strict definitions, one can explore new perspectives, techniques, and themes that may not fit into traditional genres. This can also contribute to developing a personal photographic style and stimulate innovation, as one can experiment without having to adhere to established norms. Additionally, a more open approach can make it easier to capture real, spontaneous, and unpredictable life, something often appreciated in street photography, thus creating more authentic and expressive images.

Street photographers typically have a knack for turning their attention to the spontaneous, unpredictable, and fleeting moments in the cityscape. They often capture people in activity, expression, and interactions that show authentic life on the streets. This can include anything from people in conversation, significant or mundane situations, as well as the visual essence of the urban environment, such as architecture, advertising signs, and lighting conditions. Photographers are also often aware of contrasts, differences, and unique moments that reflect contemporary life and societal conditions.

Westerplatte in Gdansk. Poland. Photo: Bjørn Joachimsen.

Observation, Positioning and Reaction

Street photographers can utilize observation by being attentive to moments and atmospheres unfolding within the urban landscape, which requires constant presence to spot interesting situations, facial expressions, or interactions between people—preferably before these moments develop. Camera positioning is vital for emphasising or framing subjects in a way that accentuates the spontaneous moment, whether by choosing a high vantage point, employing different angles, or adjusting distance to capture the right perspective without disrupting the scene. Reaction speed is crucial to seize the moment at the right instant, swiftly adjusting settings or position, and snapping before the situation changes or disappears. The interplay between observation, conscious camera positioning and quick reaction enables the street photographer to capture the authentic, fleeting and often unpredictable aspects of city life.

Observation, position and reaction are three fundamental key concepts describing the process you need to perfect in the field to become a skilled street photographer. Observation is about noticing everything happening around you, with a 360º view. You must be alert to far more than what is directly in front of you while in motion. I often pause and turn around to see what’s happening behind me when working with the camera on the streets. It’s also a good tip to walk slightly slower than usual. This way, you’ll pick up much more of what’s going on in the urban environment. Furthermore, it’s important to train your ability to observe what’s happening immediately around you, whilst also recording people and situations in the urban backdrop at a bit of a distance.

The More You Practice, the More Lucky You Are

No matter how experienced you are in street photography, you will depend on a certain amount of luck to create images that truly stand out. The goal is to depict an important moment in someone’s life, while also ensuring that camera position, framing, composition, lighting, and exposure all align. Although there is no such thing as a perfect street photograph, the formula for success is quite straightforward: practise. Spend a lot of time out on the streets. Really a lot! You need to get used to photographic “desert walks,” where sometimes you might spend several hours and thousands of steps without achieving results that meet your ambitions.

**Las Palmas de Gran Canaria**. Spain. Photo: Bjørn Joachimsen.

Waiting for moments – Hunting for moments

A key challenge—and opportunity—in street photography is how we relate to time and movement. Should we stand still and wait for something to happen? Or move through the city searching for the unexpected? These two approaches—waiting and hunting—represent different strategies, both capable of producing strong photographic expressions.

Waiting – Observation and Patience

Waiting for moments means finding an interesting spot, light or background—and then letting time do its work. Here, you are active in observation but passive in movement. The aim is to set a scene and let life fill it. It might be a graphic urban space, a dramatic shadow, or a coloured wall waiting for the “right” person.

Advantages of this approach:

You have control over composition and light.
You can fine-tune exposure and focus before anything occurs.
You gain time to observe and anticipate movements and patterns.

This method is suitable when you have plenty of time, wish to work carefully with form and structure, and have identified a location with potential for interesting interactions between people and surroundings.

Hunting – Instinct and Movement

The opposite approach is to actively move through the city—hunting for moments. Here, the camera acts as an extension of your body, ready to capture what appears suddenly: a glance, a gesture, a relationship, a captivating interaction between people and space.

Advantages of this approach:

You cover a broader area and are exposed to more opportunities.
You develop the ability to react quickly and instinctively.
You capture moments that cannot be planned.

This requires using rapid settings (such as hyperfocal distance), and knowing your camera so well that it doesn’t hinder your shot.

How to Practice?

None of these methods are “right” or “wrong.” They are different ways of relating to reality—and often, the magic happens through combining them. The most important thing is to be aware of which strategy you’re employing, and why.

Try dedicating one session to waiting and another to hunting. Choose a street, square, or architectural feature and stay there for an hour. Then, on another day, head out to cover a wider area—and let your body and gaze guide you. Compare results and notice how different approaches yield different images.

Street photography is not just a pursuit of subjects; it’s an exploration of the city’s rhythms, people’s movements, and your own way of being present. Whether waiting or hunting: it’s always about being ready.

Split. Croatia. Photo: Bjørn Joachimsen.

Portraits – The Close-Up Challenge of Street Photography

Street portraits require thoughtfulness and communication skills to convey genuine, meaningful images that evoke strong emotional responses and reflections in the viewer. It also demands tact to avoid objectifying or stereotyping those being photographed, as well as handling cultural and social differences with sensitivity. Additionally, technical challenges may arise, such as capturing expressions and character in unforeseen moments, while needing to react swiftly with camera settings and positioning. Often, you only have a very limited amount of someone’s time when taking street portraits, so practising regularly is highly beneficial. Try practising with people you know. Faces and facial expressions are naturally important when photographing portraits, but don’t forget the background. It provides context for the portrait, yet should not be distracting. Sometimes, a small change in camera position can offer a background that creates a more cohesive overall image. If you wish to include more environment and context in your portraits, using landscape format instead of portrait orientation can be an effective approach.

Portraits can evoke powerful experiences for the viewer by conveying an expressive person in public space. They can provide insight into people's lives, feelings, and stories that might otherwise be hidden or overlooked, creating a sense of intimacy, empathy, and connection. Portraits can also invite observers to consider society, cultural differences, and individual identity, thus stimulating reflection.

Gdansk. Poland. Photo: Bjørn Joachimsen.

Other people's lives—and your own

A street photographer can turn the process into a meeting between their own life and the people they photograph by developing an empathetic and respectful attitude. This involves being present in the moment, observing without interfering, and showing genuine interest in the people and situations encountered. It’s also about being open to allowing spontaneous moments to happen, while remaining conscious of your own reactions and presence. Through this contact, the photographer can create a form of dialogue—silent, yet meaningful—where their perspective and experiences contribute, thereby incorporating aspects of their own life into the images. This can make the process not just a technical documentary but a personal experience that reflects the meeting point between the photographer’s inner world and the people and environments they document.

Photography as Dialogue

Street photography can develop into a form of visual art where the images carry significance beyond their aesthetic and technical qualities. When the photographer combines aesthetic sense, technical skill, storytelling ability, and empathy, the photographs can gain meanings that give them lasting value, and offer educational, engaging, and exciting experiences for viewers.

As a street photographer, you can draw on your own life experiences, areas of interest, and knowledge by bringing a personal approach and understanding into your work. This can help you perceive and interpret situations and people more insightfully and honestly, giving your images deeper meaning and authenticity. For example, if you are interested in culture, history or social themes, this curiosity can make you more observant of relevant details and stories in the urban environment, especially in interaction with others. Your experiences can also help you establish trust and build a connection with the people you meet, making the situations more open and genuine. By being mindful of your own perspectives, you can use them as tools to capture more meaningful moments and to develop a more personal and authentic photographic dialogue with the world around you.

Creativity Within an Uncontrollable Zone

Street photography is a dynamic and inspiring genre that can enhance your engagement as a photographer. Due to its documentary character, your images are created within a partly uncontrollable zone where your life and theirs intersect in fleeting moments.

To increase your inspiration, consider varying your routines by shooting at different times of the day, entering photography competitions, or collaborating with other street photographers to exchange ideas and experiences. Reflecting on your own and others’ images, challenging yourself to find new perspectives, and continuously exploring different urban environments will strengthen your personal expression and passion for the genre. Through active participation and openness to new impressions, street photography can become both a creative exploration and a life-enriching experience.