How to get started
 

I'm not that experienced in street photography, my biggest fear is being attacked by a group of hooded teenagers or angry parents fearing I may have taken a photo of their children or something. I have heard stories of photographers being attacked by tramps and beggars. I know you can always ask people if they dont mind but I want to catch the moment, candid shots.

what tips can you all give me, I suppose a telephoto lens helps.

Walk around with your camera and don't take any pictures. That can help settle your fears that you won't be mugged, beat up or attacked. When you do muster up the confidence to bring it up to your eye ask yourself what the difference is between it hanging from your chest or a foot higher?

It's all psychological. Act timid and scared and people will treat you suspiciously and you'll look like a dodgy perv. Be confident and professional and people won't react badly to you.

Nervousness is a good sign and it will keep you alert and creative. Don't make the mistake of permanently hiding behind a telephoto lens or you'll never discover the joy of chatting to people that you've photographed.

Hope that helps a bit. Let us know how you get on.
Ben

If you're very nervous you might find it also helps if you're with another photographer, not so much for the safety in numbers factor but because having a second camera carrier around makes you less self conscious about your own. Carry business cards with you too, and hand them out to anyone that shows an interest (whether positive or negative), so that they can go and look at their photo and also as it seems to put people more at ease as there's a sense that you're a 'proper' photographer. Moo mini cards and photo cards are pretty good for this. Remember to smile too, that works even better.

I normally use my 70-200mm for street photos attached to my D3 and walk around quite openly. Even have people coming up asking me to take their photos, but I usually decline as it's not candid. Just be aware of people around you at all times, and if you feel unsafe put you camera away and walk off somewhere safe, even into a shop where other people are. I've walked all round Birmingham city centre without problems but I keep my eyes and ears open just in case. I never take pictures of children as it's too much hassle in todays world, but they may be included in a street scene or portrait of another person.
As Ben says, walk around with you camera around you neck where people can see it, as they know you will be taking photos. You might be surprised how many others you meet also with a camera out taking shots. You could get a friend to go with you the first few times to ease you into it, or even another photographer if you know one. You could also start off by taking photos of building in the town/city and build up to taking people shots. Good luck and remember to have fun, it's a hobby not a job.

All great advice people, thank you and I cant wait to get out there. I even have a freind that may come along with their camera so all good. I will report back.

Dof
 

When photographing people in the street is it better to use dof to isolate them or does having the background shops traffic ect. in focus help the narrative?

Ed

My first street pic
 

Well having a go at this street photography.
The problem is that it just proves places you always thought were boring realy are here is Yeovil at its ripping best

[IMG]http://beta.photoradar.com/files/imagecache/original_large/photos/users/ether/menatwork.jpg[/IMG]

[QUOTE=ether;3026]When photographing people in the street is it better to use dof to isolate them or does having the background shops traffic ect. in focus help the narrative?

Ed[/QUOTE]

That depends on what you are photographing. If a single person then a shorter DOF will be best to isolate the subject. If it's a street full of people then a bigger DOF will put more in focus. :)

As regards your photo it doesn't appear to have a subject. You could have photographed the two workmen in their bright coats, and use a small DOF to show that. Most places, including big cities can be boring, what you need to do is walk around around until you see something interesting. Open your eyes and you will be surprised what you can see. Like people standing outside offices smoking, people sitting on benches watching others walking by, people running to catch a bus or birds picking up crumbs that people have dropped. There is lots going on, you just have to see it. :)

[QUOTE=OldBoy;3059]That depends on what you are photographing. If a single person then a shorter DOF will be best to isolate the subject. If it's a street full of people then a bigger DOF will put more in focus. :)

As regards your photo it doesn't appear to have a subject. You could have photographed the two workmen in their bright coats, and use a small DOF to show that. Most places, including big cities can be boring, what you need to do is walk around around until you see something interesting. Open your eyes and you will be surprised what you can see. Like people standing outside offices smoking, people sitting on benches watching others walking by, people running to catch a bus or birds picking up crumbs that people have dropped. There is lots going on, you just have to see it. :)[/QUOTE]
Thanks for your comments

the whole point of the picture is that it hasn't got a subject except two workmen mending the pavement and no one is interested in that if I cropped it to just the work men I would think it was a portrait
its just the way I see it

Ed

Ether - it is about just giving it a go and now you have started. Re: your picture - you say it has not got a subject but you have colour popped the workmen and made that the subject. If it was just a general scene just leave it all B&W otherwise i donot see why the colour pop.
All sound advice above but as others said it is sometimes good to go out in a small group or pairs just in case - especially at night. Like OldBoy I sometimes get people asking me to take their photo on the street - I find it generally best to do so and show them (unless on my own) and delete it when they have gone if I don`t want it (especially at night in the city)