Nikon Ambassador Leon Neal’s top tips for powerful street photography

Taking on street photography for the first time can be a daunting prospect, but it is also one of the most dynamic and diverse photographic genres, and with a little patience can yield exceptional results. Nikon Ambassador and AFP staff photographer Leon Neal shares his top tips for taking street photographs with impact.

1) Look out for a colour theme running through a scene. Bursts of the same colour throughout a picture can really bring together the elements, particularly if only in the scene for a fleeting moment. Remember to look out for colours from road signs, street markings, store branding and carrier bags.

2) Be ready. If you're shooting on manual settings, keep a constant eye on your exposure. You don't want to find the perfect moment and then nuke it!

3)There's no right or wrong way to approach street photography. Some, like Matt Stuart, choose the subtle observational approach while others, such as Bruce Gilden, opt for a more literal "in-your-face" confrontational approach.

4) Experiment with the naturally-provided environmental lighting. Strong shafts of light, flare and reflections open up a world of opportunities.

5) Personally, my favourite element of street photography is humour. Catching that moment in life that changes an everyday scene into a perfectly-timed gem is a real skill.

6) Billboards and advertising can provide a great source of material. Inappropriate text, surprising juxtapositions and strong graphics can be really helpful.

7) Be patient. Don't expect to come away from a walk around town with a card full of belters. The appeal of street photography is making art out of the everyday world. If you find a scene that could work, give it time. Settle in and wait for the woman with the right shade of yellow dress to walk through it!

8) If your camera has it, set it to a quiet or silent mode. When you see something that you like, it's best not to destroy the moment when you press the shutter for the first time.