My Street Photography Process: How I Plan, Shoot, and Edit Candid Street Photos

Ever wondered how street photographers work their magic? Here’s my full street photography process—from planning and gear prep to shooting techniques and post-shoot editing (with coffee, of course).

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The Night Before: Where All Good Street Photography Begins

Street photography doesn’t just happen the moment I click the shutter—it starts the night before, when I’m quietly panicking about whether I remembered to charge my batteries.

Step 1: Weather Watching Like a Slightly Obsessed Meteorologist

Weather makes a big difference:

• Sunny days bring out bold colours, buskers, market stalls, and folks wearing questionable sunglasses.

• Rainy days add mood, misty reflections, and people sprinting for shelter—often stylishly disheveled.

Whatever the forecast, it shapes the kind of photos I’m going for.

Step 2: Gear Check (and Double Check)

Before bed, I go through the ritual:

• Batteries? Charging.

• Memory cards? Emptied and formatted.

• Camera bag? Packed, minus the snack crumbs from last week.

• Clothes? Something comfy, weather-appropriate, and preferably not covered in German Shepherd pet hair.

A good night’s sleep helps too. Trust me, the “creative zombie” look doesn’t translate well into sharp compositions.

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Morning: Prime Time for Street Photography

There’s something about the city waking up that just works. People are on the move, heads down, clutching coffee cups like lifelines—and in between all that, you can catch some really authentic moments.

Step 3: Camera Ready, Let’s Go

I head out and:

• Take a quick test shot

• Adjust my exposure settings

• Try to remember if I’ve had breakfast

Tip- Have your camera out and ready to shoot immediately. I can’t tell you the shots I missed because my camera wasn’t out the bag soon enough.

Step 4: Coffee and People-Watching (for Art, Obviously)

I make a beeline for a local café. Not just because caffeine is life, but because:

• It’s a perfect place to get a feel for the street’s energy

• I can observe how the light hits buildings and people

• I can pretend I’m working while secretly enjoying a pastry

Backlight can make for cool silhouettes. Side light adds texture. Harsh noon sun? Great for dramatic shadows—or accidental squinting portraits.

Before leaving, I slap on a prime lens—usually a 35mm or 50mm—because limiting choice often helps creativity (and because I’m too lazy to carry a heavy zoom lens all day).

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On the Hunt: How I Find Street Photography Shots

This is the fun bit—and sometimes the frustrating bit too.

Step 5: Follow the Light (and the Pigeons)

I usually start by chasing good light. The interaction between light and shadow often makes or breaks a shot.

I know where the best spots are at certain times of day. But some of the best photos I’ve taken happened when I got lost, turned a corner, and found something unexpected—like a saxophonist jamming with a pigeon audience. True story.

Step 6: Be Patient… or Keep Moving

If I find an interesting background, I might hang around and wait for someone with character to walk into frame. Other times, I prefer to just keep moving and let the city surprise me.

I look for:

• Interesting faces

• Unusual interactions

• Odd juxtapositions (like someone in a business suit walking past a street mural of a banana wearing sunglasses)

(I’ll cover how I take candid photos in more detail in an upcoming blog. There may be diagrams. Or at least more pigeon anecdotes.)

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Break Time: Snacks, Sanity, and Mid-Shoot Check-ins

After a couple of hours, I usually pause—both to rest my feet and to go through some shots. This helps me:

• See what’s working (or what definitely isn’t)

• Adjust my settings if needed

• Eat something that contains at least one vegetable (burgers have lettuce in the bun right?)

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Post-Shoot Routine: From Memory Card to Masterpiece (Hopefully)

After I get home I take my coat off and make a brew, it’s time to get down to business.

Step 7: Review and Ruthlessly Delete

I upload all the photos and go through them one by one. I delete anything that is:

• Out of focus

• Uninspired

• Accidental photos of my own shoes

• Unflattering to anyone in the frame (street photography should always be respectful)

This stage is brutal—but it’s necessary. Typically I take about 100 photographs, and at least 70 don’t survive the first cull.

Step 8: Post-Processing Magic

Only after that do I dive into editing. I’ll tweak exposure, straighten lines, bring out details—but I try not to overdo it. The goal is to enhance the moment, not turn it into something it never was.

Tip- If you need to edit a lot you are probably trying to polish a turd, and your time would better served on a photo that already looks good and just needs a tiny boost.

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Final Thoughts: My Street Photography Philosophy

Street photography isn’t just about pressing a button. It’s about being present, curious, and open to whatever unfolds. Some days you come home with nothing. Other days, you capture a moment that feels like lightning in a bottle.

Either way, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

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Coming Soon: How I Capture Candid Street Photography Without Being Weird

I’ll be diving deeper into the art of taking natural, authentic street photos—without creeping people out—in my next blog.