7 Biggest Challenges of Street Photography – And How to Overcome Them

Street photography sounds easy at first. Just grab your camera, head out, and capture life as it happens, right? But in reality, it’s not that easy. In my opinion, street photography is one of the toughest styles of photography to stick with. If you’ve ever hesitated at the worst moment, felt awkward, or walked home empty-handed, you’re not alone.

In his latest video, Peter Forsgård shares the biggest mental and technical challenges that come with taking photos on the street. And more importantly, how to deal with them. After years of doing street photography off and on, he knows what it’s like to hit those walls, and he kindly spreads the knowldge.

[Related Reading: The Definitive Street Photography Guide: Camera Settings, Tips & Techniques]

1. Fear of Confrontation and Self-Consciousness

This one gets almost everyone at some point. You see a great moment, raise your camera, then panic. Someone looks at you, and suddenly you’re pretending to shoot a building instead. Oh boy, how many times has this happened to me. One, I’m not good with conflicts, and two, I’m a bit awkward even when I’m photographing someone I know. Not a good mix.

Peter says it’s normal to feel this way. If you’re not comfortable photographing people right away, don’t force it. Start with something easier. Focus on objects or scenes that suggest human presence, like shadows or reflections. You’ll still be in the mindset of street photography without the pressure.

And if someone does notice you, just be honest. Smile. Say what you’re doing. In most cases, people are more curious than annoyed. Peter shares that he’s had very few confrontations in all his years shooting.

2. Getting Close and Creating Impact

A lot of street shots fall flat because they’re taken from too far away. When you move in closer, the emotion and detail hit harder. But yeah, getting close can feel uncomfortable. Peter admits he used to be a bit bolder when he was younger. Ah, to be young. :) However, he’s now more respectful and thoughtful about when to approach. His advice is to work up to it. Start by getting just a little closer than you’re used to. The more you do it, the easier it gets.

He also says you don’t need to photograph people in difficult or embarrassing moments. This is something I like to stick with as well, as photographing moments like this feels exploitative more often than not. Go for interesting faces, bold colors, or a strong gesture. Something that catches your eye without crossing a line.

[Related Reading: What I avoid in my street photography and how]

3. Technical Challenges: Timing, Focus, and Settings

If you’re fiddling with your settings while things are happening around you, you’re going to miss stuff. Street photography moves fast. So, Peter advises you to keep the setup as simple as possible.

He personally uses Program mode, Auto ISO, and fixes a minimum shutter speed so things stay sharp. His camera of choice is the Ricoh GR IIIx, which is small, quiet, and just works for this type of shooting. With a narrow aperture and good depth of field, he barely has to think about focus.

Peter’s main point here is that you shouldn’t let technical stuff slow you down. A slightly noisy or underexposed photo is still better than no photo at all.

[Related Reading: Best Camera for Street Photography: The Ultimate 2025 Guide for Urban Photographers]

4. Lack of Control Over the Scene

You can’t direct what happens on the street, and that’s kind of the point. But it can still be frustrating. You line up a shot, someone walks into the frame and ruins it, or the scene just doesn’t play out how you hoped. Well, this is something you just have to accept. Street photography is about capturing real life, and what’s more “real life” than things not working out perfectly? After all, you’re an observer, not a director. Patience helps, but so does letting go of the idea that you have to get the perfect moment every time.

5. Overwhelm From Too Many Options

Busy places are exciting, but they can also make you feel stuck. There’s so much going on that it’s hard to know where to start. If there’s one thing I can totally relate with, it’s this one – and not just in photography.

One trick Peter suggests, and I use it as well, is to give himself a limitation. Choose a theme for the day, like reflections, red clothing, or a certain type of light. It narrows your focus and helps you notice more. You’ll stop scanning everything and get overwhelmed with choice paralysis. Instead, you’ll start seeing more clearly and taking more intentional shots.

6. High Rate of Failure and Discouragement

Let’s be real, most of your street shots won’t be winners. Peter says 95% of the time, even experienced photographers walk away without a single keeper. That might sound discouraging, but when you think about it – it’s actually freeing. You don’t have to expect a perfect image every time you go out. One good photo from a whole day is a win. The more often you shoot, the more those keepers will start adding up.

7. Balancing Spontaneity and Patience

There are two main ways to shoot street. You can be spontaneous and react quickly, or you can find a scene and wait for something interesting to happen. The challenge is knowing when to do which.

Peter mixes both. Sometimes he finds a great background and just waits. Other times, he sees something developing and reacts fast. It takes practice to switch between the two, but when you figure it out, you start to get better results. Start paying attention to what’s working for you. Do you enjoy waiting, or do you prefer moving around? Try both and see what feels natural.

While street photography isn’t easy, that’s exactly what makes it so rewarding. Peter’s main takeaway is that every challenge you face out there can be worked through. You just need patience, practice, and a simple approach. And remember, you don’t need fancy gear to do this. Even your phone is fine. The key is to stay curious, stay open, and of course, get out there and keep shooting.

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