Find your focal lenght
Every photographer has a unique vision. The choice of focal length reflects that vision, shaping how we capture the world and translate it into images. Broadly speaking, street photographers fall into two camps: telephoto tigers (50mm and above) employing techniques like decisive moments and candid photography, and wide-angle warriors (28mm and below) embracing environmental portraits and expansive compositions. Most photographers, however, fall somewhere in between – the smooth operators. These photographers are adaptable, pragmatic, and resourceful, finding creative solutions to photographic challenges, often utilizing leading lines and geometric compositions to enhance their street photography.
Shooting wide (28mm or wider) presents unique challenges, especially for beginners. Including so much within the frame requires skill and careful consideration of elements like depth of field and perspective distortion. It's particularly demanding in bustling cities like New York, London, or Tokyo, where the sheer volume of visual information can be overwhelming. Wide-angle lenses often mirror our own natural vision, making it harder to create images that feel distinct or compelling. You need to master composition, timing, and subject selection – crucial aspects of street photography – to make a wide-angle shot truly stand out. This is especially true in smaller cities or towns where the environment offers less visual variety, necessitating a more considered approach to street photography. Wide-angle warriors excel at incorporating elements within the frame, demonstrating a high level of compositional skill and an understanding of street photography ethics.
Longer focal lengths (like 50mm and above), on the other hand, offer a different perspective. The compression they provide creates a unique, often cinematic look, distinct from what we see with our own eyes. This approach can be particularly appealing to photographers in smaller cities or towns with fewer subjects and locations. It also offers a degree of separation from the subject, useful for shy photographers or when practicing candid street photography. Many photographers successfully employ this technique even in crowded urban environments, using it to isolate subjects and create impactful street portraits.
The 35mm lens often serves as a happy medium. It allows for a relatively realistic representation of the scene while still offering room for creative interpretation, making it a popular choice for many street photographers. It's versatile enough for portraits, landscapes, and everything in between. While not as immediately intuitive as a 50mm or wider, it's a powerful tool for a skilled photographer, allowing for both environmental storytelling and intimate moments within street photography.
Ultimately, there's no single "right" focal length. My own journey began with a 35mm, which served me well. However, I eventually gravitated towards longer focal lengths (50mm and 85mm), drawn to the compression and cinematic quality they provide. I now appreciate the strengths of wider lenses, too, particularly when traveling to new locations. My preference for the 50mm lens reflects my personal style and the types of images I aim to create. I find it better suited to my preference for abstract compositions within street photography.
The key takeaway is that the focal length itself isn't what makes a photograph great. The effort, creativity, and skill you invest are what truly matter. Experiment with different focal lengths to discover what best suits your style and vision. Embrace the challenges; the satisfaction of overcoming them is part of the photographic journey. The thrill of the creative challenge is a fundamental part of the process. Pushing your skills, whether it’s using manual focus, getting closer to your subject (while respecting boundaries), or meticulously crafting your composition, adds depth and meaning to your work. The world is constantly changing, and adapting to new technologies and techniques is key to staying relevant in the ever-evolving field of street photography.
To answer the question, if you don't know where to start and want to experiment to find your own voice and style in photography, go for a 35mm lens. Bring it with you everywhere, shoot hundreds of photos, and try to figure out if you need to zoom in or out. The benefit of this approach is that you’ll eventually master the 35mm, which is a super versatile lens you can carry for years. Then, you can decide the right path for your creativity
