One of the best things about street photography is its accessibility – all it takes is some starter equipment and a few steps out the front door, or so they say. Compare this to portrait photography, which often requires specialist gear and perhaps a studio space; or food photography, which demands not only photographic skill but also culinary and styling expertise; or even landscape photography, which can involve drones and scaling mountains. Street photography is beautiful in its simplicity.
However, that simplicity and accessibility don’t necessarily make it easier. One of the challenges – for me, at least – is living in a small city or town that doesn’t quite have the pull or essence of London, Paris, Lisbon, New York, Istanbul, or Tokyo.
Shooting in a small town can also make it more difficult to build confidence – walking around with a camera in a place not often photographed can be a little anxiety-inducing at times (more on that here). It’s also often harder to find the stories and characters you might encounter in a larger city with a vibrant arts scene, bustling business district, or a cultural identity that shines through in every image.
Sometimes, the city you live in – the one most accessible to you – can feel quiet, less distinct, or seemingly lacking in beauty or intrigue. But if you’re struggling to capture your city in a way that fits your style, there are a few things you can do to find a fresh perspective and boost your creative energy. I've outlined some of the tactics I have adapted over time that have helped me find a fresh take on a familiar micro city:
LEAN INTO THE ART OF THE ABSTRACT
If character work is your thing – photographing the fashionable or fascinating – and such subjects are few and far between in your small town, try embracing abstraction. Use windows to create interesting layers and reflections that remove the need for a central character, or experiment with silhouettes to evoke mystery, isolation, or anonymity. All of these can contribute to a powerful narrative.
PHOTOGRAPH AT LOCAL EVENTS
Events tend to draw out both subjects and fellow photographers – whether it’s a Christmas market, a parade, a protest, or a local tradition your town is known for. Street photographers are drawn to these like seagulls to chips.
Not only do events gather more of the town’s people in one place, giving you a broader pool of subjects, but your presence as a photographer will be less conspicuous among others doing the same. Events are a great way to ease into photographing a small town, especially if confidence is something you’re looking to build.
The Devil is in the Detail
Some people are visually interesting because of their overall appearance, but with others, the intrigue is in the detail – sometimes quite literally. Maybe it’s a gesture, something in their hand, an accidental yet pleasing colour contrast in their clothing, or a vintage pair of earrings. These little moments can spark stories of themselves.
Where did those earrings come from? Were they passed down through generations, or is this Gen Z embracing vintage fashion? Hands are particularly insightful, and can express emotion without the need for facial expressions or wider imagery.
Let the Buildings Be Your Subjects
If you're struggling to find compelling scenes, leaning into architectural photography might help. We often think of humans interacting only with each other, but they also interact with the built environment. A wrinkled hand on a doorknob, a face in a window, a shadow cast against an ornate wall – all of these moments tell stories.
Photographing buildings is generally more accepted than photographing people, which can ease some of the pressure. And once you start framing the building as the subject, you may find the perfect human element walks into shot without you even noticing.
Be Truthful About Your Hometown
Street photography is about capturing the truth of a place. Some photographers embrace this more literally – highlighting the grit and rawness – while others try to find beauty in the mundane, offering a new lens through which to view the familiar. Both approaches are equally valid and valuable.
So, perhaps it’s best to capture your town as you see it. Empty high streets have their own story. Abandoned buildings whisper their own histories. This approach could easily evolve into a series or become part of a larger project that highlights social issues or changes in your community.
In my time photographing the small city I call home, I’ve come to appreciate it more. As I mentioned in a previous blog, photographers often see the world differently, and looking at your hometown through the lens can truly make you fall in love with the place you live – and that’s no bad thing.
GO FOR POOCHES
This might sound like a throwaway piece of advice, but I mean this genuinely. Dog owners are welcoming to people taking photos of their dogs, and most dogs love the attention - it's a really easy segue into street photography, and into talking to local residents and building up a rapport - dog owners love to talk about their dogs, trust me. However, it is worth noting that not all dogs are open to strangers and there are certain scenarios - such as service dogs being trained - where it's vital they're left alone, so it's always important to ask the owner if it's okay to approach and snap away.
