Street Photography: Right Time, Right Place

People often ask if I’m just always in the right place at the right time to capture my funny, absurd, and WTF street photos. The truth is, absolutely not. More often than not, I’m in the wrong place at the wrong time. The misses far outweigh the hits. But after 20 years of shooting and building a body of work, it can look like I consistently land the keepers.

What you don’t see are the thousands of frames that didn’t quite come together.

Understand What A Good Street Photo Looks Like

One of the biggest things that improved my chances was studying the greats. Photographers like Garry Winogrand, Robert Frank and Joel Meyerowitz didn’t just take photos, they understood moments. By learning what makes their images powerful, you start to recognise similar potential unfolding in front of you. And, of course, it helps your chances by understanding what street photography actually is.

Practice! Practice! Practice!

Practice is everything. The more you’re out there, the more you begin to understand where to stand, when to wait, and when to move. Street photography isn’t about instant results, it’s about repetition over time. You start to see patterns in human behaviour, in scenarios, in chance encounters. And slowly, your instincts sharpen.

Managing Expectations

It’s also important to manage expectations. Great photos are rare. Even Martin Parr has said he might only get around ten very good photos a year. That tells you everything. If you’re expecting magic every time you step outside, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment. Stay patient.

Observation is Key

Another key shift is learning to observe rather than just look. Looking is passive. Observing is active. It means scanning, anticipating, reading body language, noticing small details that might collide into something unexpected.

Anticipating The Moment

With time, you begin to anticipate moments before they happen. You see a setup forming, a gesture, a character, a background, and you’re ready. This is where “shooting through the moment” comes in. Don’t just take one frame and move on. Stay with it. Let it evolve. The best shot is often just after, or just before, you think it is.

Get Lucky

And yes, luck plays a part. But it’s not random. By showing up, by practising, by studying, by observing, you put yourself in a position where luck can find you. In a way, you start to make your own luck.

Stick With It!

So no, it’s not about always being in the right place at the right time, it’s about giving yourself more chances to be there when something does happen. Put in the years, embrace the misses, and trust that over time, the moments will come to you. And I’m most definitely proof of all that!

Twenty Years of Street Photography: My First Zine

If you’d like to see more of my street photography from the last 20 years, which features all of the photos here, my first ever zine ‘Greatest Hits Vol.1 (2006-2026) is now available to buy.

It features 30 images and is strictly limited to 100 signed copies. It ships worldwide. Find out more and buy by clicking the button below.