I saw some videos on Leica’s Instagram where an interviewer was asking photographers at their event something like, “Do you focus on capturing the moment or carefully composing your shot?”
I love serendipity in street photography! It’s like discovering gold. But that doesn’t mean you can’t plan your composition.
I often recommend that beginners practice once a week to build muscle memory and intuition. For example, I am slightly short-sighted, I don’t wear glasses when taking street photos.
Despite this, I can observe people from afar, seeing their shapes and colors and almost predict their next movements. Within 1-2 seconds, I compose my shot, and my subject fits perfectly within the frame.
Capture the Moment
Here’s how I captured a recent shot: I first noticed this shop, then saw a guy on a bike turning the corner. I used the shop’s light as backlighting, metering exposure based on the shop’s illumination, turning the cyclist into a silhouette. When he entered the frame, I pressed the shutter and he was right in the middle.
I used a shutter speed of 1/400. While it’s not enough to completely freeze fast movement, it’s acceptable.
Carefully Compose
If motion isn’t your thing, focus on the details most people overlook. Think outside the box. Still subjects, like this roadside plant, might catch your interest.
I took this photo on the same day. A small plant growing in a puddle on a street, and a yellow line visible in the background.
Its resilience amazed me, standing strong despite heavy rain. I love how its yellow color complements the blue hour, creating a simple yet striking color palette.
Oh, by the way, I was holding the umbrella with my left hand, so I really relied on autofocus mode to select the point of focus.
A quick tip: If you’re aiming to capture night urban city lights, head out early before it gets dark. This gives you ample time to find several potential spots and warm up.
Did I capture the moment or carefully compose the shot?
I believe these two elements subconsciously blend together. Much like a kung fu master who practices diligently, there comes a moment when they “forget” the rules and allow creativity to flow naturally.
To successfully balance instinct and technique, your “Jedi Training” play a crucial role. Eye-hand coordination and split-second responsiveness are developed through regular practice. Missing a shot could mean waiting in the rain for another cyclist to pass by.
Regarding composition techniques, I would say the first photo is “Subframing.” The second photo adheres to the “Rule of Thirds,” and there is also a noticeable leading line in the background.
Here are some mood shots I took later that evening. This summer has been rainy, and I enjoy seizing opportunities to capture moody, less common scenes; there’s so much beauty in them.