A great image is worth a thousand words, but capturing excellent photos can be challenging for many. To help you improve your photography skills, here are three fundamental principles to keep in mind:
- View numerous images to broaden your visual understanding and inspire your photography;
- Capture as many images as possible to improve your photography skill;
- Engage in deep thinking to refine your photography, explore new concepts and refine your artistic vision;
Today, I would like to introduce you to 15 exceptional Instagram street photographers who can provide you with a wealth of creative inspiration.
Table of Contents
sixstreetunder
Craig Whitehead, born in 1988, is a talented British street photographer. He has gained considerable popularity with 270,000 followers on his Instagram account, @sixstreetunder. His amazing street photos present a remarkable design sense, evident in his masterful use of colour, text, lines, shapes, and more. All his images captivate viewers and leave a lasting impression. Craig Whitehead’s favourite photographers are Ernst Haas and Saul Leiter, who may impact his work.
Looking at Craig Whitehead’s images, you may find that none of the photos features people’s front faces, facial expressions, or direct human interactions. Instead, people are integrated as an integral part of the overall images. He said, “I strive to find situations with dynamic, dramatic light and their sensitivity to colour.” This focus on light and colour may contribute to his photographs’ overall visual impact and mood.
If you want to learn more about him, read his book – Find Your Frame: A Street Photography Masterclass
mattu1
Born in 1974, Matt Stuart is a celebrated British photographer known for his remarkable works. One of his notable projects is “All That Life Can Afford.” He is a nominated photographer of Magnum Photos, a prestigious photographic cooperative presenting some of the world’s most influential photographers. His works not only express a sense of amusement but also demonstrate a mastery of some fundamental skills (form sense and composition of the plane) crucial for street photographers.
I have previously reviewed a book on photography composition, which I believe is highly beneficial for street photographers. It provides valuable insights and guidance on finding visual elements within our everyday lives and on the streets. If you are interested, I recommend reading this book as it is worth your time.
mark.fearnley
Mark Fearnley is a passionate UK-based fine art street photographer dedicated to his craft. You will discover many black-and-white photos on Mark Fearnley’s Instagram account because he has expressed a strong addiction to black-and-white photography. His favourite photographers are Fan Ho, Januchi Hakoyama, Daido Moriyamo and Trent Park, who have had some impact on his works.
When viewing his works, it is found that Mark Fearnley’s images showcase great photo composition and a strong sense of rhythm, making it feel comfortable and leaving viewers with a lasting impression. The people play a vital role in bringing the photo to life. Additionally, Mark Fearnley utilizes various photo compositions, including high-angle shots, low-angle shots, multiple exposures and more. These skills are to create stunning and impactful photographs.
denischerim
As a Romanian-born self-taught artist based in Spain, Denis Cherim has embarked on an artistic and life journey from a young age, influenced by his family’s moves to Istanbul and Madrid. His images feature optical illusion, expressing unique perspectives and conveying deeper meanings or emotions. You can capture great pictures similar to Denis Cherim’s with just a phone and you don’t necessarily need a large aperture like f/1.4.
Therefore, observation and imagination are sometimes more important than high-quality camera equipment. If you have no idea how to train your observation skills, please read 7 Tips for Capturing Unique Images Through Observation.
niallmcdiarmid
Niall McDiarmid is a Scottish photographer based in London, United Kingdom. He is known for his distinctive style of documenting the people and landscape of Britain. Niall McDiarmid’s ability to master lighting in his images is excellent. Niall McDiarmid has captured many photos during dusk, utilizing the interplay between natural and artificial light sources. This combination can contribute to the photographs’ richness and storytelling aspects.
If you also want to take pictures similar to Niall McDiarmid’s, here is a small tip:
- a. Placing multiple light sources in different locations within the frame;
- b. Ensure that all light sources vary in luminosity, lighting position, light quality, and light colour to create a visually exciting and dynamic scene;
joshkjack
Joshua K. Jackson, a photographer based in London, UK, delves into the intricate and sometimes contradictory connections between individuals and their surroundings. Through his photographs, he captures the harmonies and tensions that shape the universal aspects of the human condition.
One of the notable features of his images is colour. When examining his pictures, you will notice that all colours closely resemble those of colour positives, making them comfortable.
jessemarlow
Jesse Marlow is a photographer based in Melbourne. His photography is highly regarded and has been acquired by public and private collections throughout Australia. Some notable institutions that hold his works include the National Gallery of Victoria, the Australian Parliament House in Canberra, the Monash Gallery of Art, the City of Melbourne, and the State Library of Victoria.
Upon closer inspection, it becomes evident that Marlow has a deep passion for life and has mastered exceptional observational skills. His photographs encapsulate the world around him, capturing the intricacies and nuances of everyday scenes and objects. He can transform ordinary moments into extraordinary visual narratives.
mmuheisen
Muhammed Muheisen is an internationally acclaimed and world-renowned photographer. He is a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner, a National Geographic photojournalist and Explorer, and the founder and chairman of the Dutch non-profit organization, Everyday Refugees Foundation. Born in Jerusalem in 1981, Muheisen is a Jordanian national. He spent many years capturing the plight of refugees in various crises worldwide. In contrast to previous photographers who may have highlighted the beauty of landscapes or citylife, Muheisen’s work focuses on the everyday lives of refugees, showcasing their ordinary moments and the resilience they demonstrate in the face of adversity.
stevemccurryofficial
It is believed that everyone may know Steve McCurry because of his renowned image – Afghan Girl, featuring a young girl with captivating green eyes. Steve McCurry, an American photographer, was born on April 23, 1950. His images cover various topics and diverse cultures, which uses compelling narratives that resonate with viewers on a profound level. While viewing his work, we must immerse ourselves in McCurry’s rich visual narratives and understand the underlying stories and people’s lives.
bas.hordijk
Bas Hordijk, a Dutch photographer and filmmaker, is deeply passionate about exploring the human figure within its surroundings. His work showcases a fascination with capturing fleeting moments of romance and delicacy amidst the chaos of ordinary life. While appreciating Bas Hordijk’s images, you may find that he is proficient in utilizing lighting techniques to enhance his photographs. In addition, he focuses more on capturing the relationship between humans and their surroundings, expressing it via his images—the framing compositions he often used to highlight his subjects, such as arches, doorways, or windows. This skill is a simple technique for beginners to learn.
The street serves as a platform for people from all walks of life to express themselves and shape their destinies. For photographers, the street becomes a captivating stage to document and showcase the richness of people’s lives. We hope these photographers can inspire and assist you in your photography journey.
