Shoot better street images and documen tary moments with these tips from pro Jeff G ilbert

Street and documentary imaging is a journey into people’s lives – a candid exploration of emotion, expression and contemplation. While portraiture offers a glimpse behind the subject’s eyes, a documentary shot is an altogether more honest study, since the subject is not posed, directed or even aware of the camera.

Part of the success of a portrait is down to the willingness of the subject to present their true nature to the camera, and only they can permit and control this process. But outside of the studio, it’s possible to create meaningful images that can convey a truer story with shots of subjects going about their daily lives. To make this work you must tightly control your interaction with the elements of a scene, to maintain the honest process.