The compact size and low-light performance of Canon's mirrorless EOS R System cameras, from the full-frame EOS R8 and EOS R6 Mark II to the APS-C EOS R10 and EOS R50, make them a great choice for street photography.
Andres usually shoots at high shutter speeds in continuous burst mode. "I want to freeze the action and I don't want to miss the shot," he explains.
Traditionally, street photographers used 35mm or 50mm lenses, because that's closest to the way the human eye sees the world and therefore gives a natural perspective. The Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM and RF 35mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM both give beautifully smooth bokeh and their wide apertures also help to create a cinematic effect, isolating the subject while keeping the background blurred.
If, however, your backdrop is as important as your subject, a wide-angle lens might be a better option. The super-compact Canon RF 28mm F2.8 STM has both a versatile focal length and a fast aperture for experimenting with background blur, making it an ideal lens for street photography. The all-purpose Canon RF 24-105mm F4-7.1 IS STM features optical IS to minimise camera shake and also gives you the versatility to capture both wide-angle urban scenes and more intimate street portraits. "Sometimes I like to be able to zoom in and create different perspectives," Andres says.
Shooting with a telephoto lens means you can keep some distance between yourself and the subject, so you don't have to invade their privacy. The Canon RF 24-240mm F4-6.3 IS USM is a hugely versatile 10x zoom lens, which is ideal if you want one lens with a focal length for every scenario
Street photography is the most accessible type of photography. You don't need a complicated, expensive setup to get started. You don't need to travel overseas, trek up mountains or sit for weeks in a hide until a rare creature appears. All you need to do is grab your kitbag, head out into the streets near where you live and get shooting. And it's a skill that gets better with practice. "Until you've trained your eyes, you don't realise that incredible moments happen all the time," says Andres. "It's just about being patient."
Fascinating subjects are right there on your doorstep. So get out there, be ready and hit the shutter.
Written by Rachel Segal Hamilton