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Preparing for the workshop

How incredibly nice of you to join me!

Soon, we will be going out together. Awfully nice of you to come along!

Of course I will guide you during the workshop, but it's good to prepare a little bit.

Types of street photography
Introduction video
Preparing for the day
Gathering place

Michiel Heijmans

Types of street photography

In fact, there are several kinds of street photography. Of course, you will mainly choose the kind that suits you, but in the workshop, for example, you may come across:

  • Photography with a focus on architecture and composition, including human scale
  • Photography in colour or black and white, and how to deal with it
  • Photography with a focus on people, near or far
  • Photography a little closer to fine art, not necessarily with a focus on people

Street photography is often a combination of the above options. During the workshop, I will mainly teach you to look in a different way. Think about how you normally shoot and what kind of photography you would like to master. If you haven't quite figured it out yet, just think of what you like the most!

Street photography, short video

In preparation for the workshop, I'd like to ask you to watch the video below. It's an online introduction I recorded with Pjotr from Photography Community (an online photo club). Just 22 minutes, and then you'll already know some basic concepts and have a bit of an idea of what to expect! It’s in Dutch, turn on captions on YouTube - you’ll get the drift.

Of course, you may still have questions after watching the video. Be sure to save them for the day itself; I will be happy to answer them! If they are pressing questions, feel free to ask them via the form.

Preparing for the day

On the day, above all, you get to let go. Let go of what you have learned, let go of what should be from other photographers, let go of the urge to take the very best photo today. We will lay the foundation for your future photographs.

To hit the streets with as few distractions as possible, I recommend:

  • Bring the camera you can read and write with. The workshop is emphatically not a "how to work my camera" workshop. That's what YouTube is for. I assume you know how ISO, aperture and shutter speed work and how to set aperture priority and shutter speed priority.
  • Put on good walking shoes. During the workshop, photographing will not take us gigantic distances, but we will be walking, so put on shoes you walk easily on. Trainers are also fine.
  • Limit yourself to one focal length. 50mm is wonderfully safe, 28mm is wide and more suitable for close-up. I myself vary between 28mm and 35mm. From 85mm upwards is less suitable for my type of street photography. If you only have a zoom lens, choose one focal length and try not to zoom.
  • Bring full batteries and an empty SD card. You won't be the first to run out of batteries during the workshop. Bummer! Make sure you have a full battery and take an extra one with you if necessary. And empty your SD card before you leave for the workshop. We are going to take lots of pictures!
  • During the workshop, we will stop around noon for a sandwich and something to drink. Should you get thirsty or hungry along the way, it's nice to have something with you. After lunch, you will start working on your series!
  • Make a list of questions. If there are specific things where you think I can help you further, write them down or make a note in your phone. You can always app or email me after the workshop, but make that list so you can be sure you've asked all your questions during the workshop!
  • If you have ordered my book Street Photography Bible, at least bring a bag in which the book will fit. The book measures 16.5 x 22.5 centimetres and just over an inch thick.

Meeting point on workshop day

Hope to see you on the day of the workshop at 10.30am (unless otherwise agreed) at the following location:

Very happy to see you then. We will make it a great day!