Hugh Brownstone believes that street portraiture is a collaborative effort between the photographer and the person they’re capturing. In this video, he’ll talk about his techniques for composition, directing and settings when taking pictures of strangers. Most importantly, he’ll discuss the golden rule of street portraits.
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0:00 Hugh’s Thoughts on Street Portraiture
1:17 Approaching& Asking Strangers
3:03 Taking the Portrait
6:49 After Taking the Image
7:28 Advanced Tips
9:30 Posing, Angles & Settings
12:19 What’s Next?
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Comments
25 responses to “Hugh Brownstone's Approach to Street Portraits”
What questions do you have about taking street portraits?
Really enjoyed the explained thought process in this…!
Keep iy true please keep that true
Hugh, I love your philosophy, and your teaching on photography. You lost me as a subscriber 4 yrs ago, because we disagree about politics, and while I strongly support your right to your own decision on who to vote for, a photo video isn’t the place to stump for your candidate. I strongly support my right to my own opinion too! I would watch more of your channel, if we can keep it focused on photography. … Hold that thought!
Refresing uselfish thoughts + ideas in an increasingly selfish world.. great ideas.
Really great analysis, well spoken, not rushed. I stayed for the duration.
I worked with a portrait studio for several years. While I do "street" photography, I NEVER ask permission to take someone's picture. Why? Simple, as stated, "In physics, the observer effect is the disturbance of an observed system by the act of observation." I do not just want a portrait, I want a moment. While many people, such as Hugh, are excellent at "street portraits", this is not what I am after. I am not after a portrait which is pleasing to the eye (which what you will always get with a posed photo) but a moment in time and the human expression in that moment. This is not possible when working WITH the subject, only when observing the subject, undetected.
Great content, question what’s your favourite budget street camera for portraits 😊
Very interesting 👍🏻
Incredibly useful! Thank you for this post 👌
Wonderful, Hugh! I would love to do a workshop with you someday.
If you never shot in bright sunlight, in Australia you'd never shoot at all.
I disagree about one aspect of applying the golden rule to candid photography. In my experience, the main reason that people object is that they don't understand or can't imagine what you're trying to do (create beautiful / flattering art). They can only imagine negative uses of their image. If the photographer immediately offers to delete the photo, therefore, they are accepting the subject's false premise that the photographer was doing something wrong or harmful. Also, the photographer has a legal right to take photos in public without asking permission. People's feelings are important, but the right to photograph exists for valid reasons. My approach, therefore, is to explain what I'm doing and show the images. If they still ask me to delete the image, I usually comply but in a small number of circumstances (where their request or approach is unreasonable or the image is irreplaceable) I have refused.
Все очень толково рассказано!
Thank you for this series. It’s incredible!
I teach street photography where we spend the day in downtown L.A. I love your approach and will impart some of what you are teaching me. Thanks!!
Hugh, hi. I love this video chat! I won't bore you about my photo history, but I've been on a return to photojournalism and introducing myself to street photography. I'd love to meet you someday. Thank you.
thanks a lot! lovely tips, I will take those with me when I approach people on the street
LOL. RUN!!! "Don't run!" Oh…
Good stuff Hugh. A great place to shoot is over the Manhattan Bridge. Special people walk over that bridge. Also, Chinatown calls for establishing a special relationship with the people playing cards and mahjong (they’re gambling).
Absolutely loved this video. Such great tips for anyone starting out in street photography. Sub’d👍
Success is growing, once you stop growing you are not counted as successful person. it is just my humble opinion. By the way I enjoyed watching your videos, a fellow creator
Love the series, thank you Hugh and B&H. On the Street Portraits subject, do you ever use a flash or a fix light?
He reminds me so much of Jeff Goldbloom !
11:40 This is good advice on ISO. And do it manually. Get off auto. ISO and Shutter Speed go together.