1.Use Different Lenses
For my street photography, there are currently two lenses that I use—my 35mm and my 24mm. I primarily shoot with my 35mm, but whenever I feel that the focal length is boring me, I switch to my 24mm and what a world of difference it is. I learn to see the world in a different way, and the new perspective really forces me to be more creative. Not only that, but I can get shots that I couldn't have got with my other lens.

2.Use Different Cameras
If you are a photographer and own a DSLR, you are very likely to also own a point and shoot. If you primarily shoot street photography with your DSLR, try using a point and shoot. Because it is so small and discrete, it makes street photography much more interesting. By switching our cameras, we learn the strengths and limitations of each camera—which helps us try harder to get different images in street photography.

3.Go to new places
If you always go down the same block to take street photography and get bored of it—try going somewhere else! A tip that I learned from somebody on the internet: Try taking a bus around your city, and getting off at random places. Explore the city, take photos, and hop back on the bus. Rinse and repeat. You will be amazed how much this will open your eyes.

4.Look at the work of other street photographers
If we feel like we are in a rut when shooting street photography, why not look at the work of other street photographers and re-inspire yourself? There are some images out there which are so utterly beautiful and breathtaking which just propel us to go out to the streets and take photos. However try to refrain yourself from looking at too many great street photographs out there, as the effect that it can have is actually making us feel small and give us the mentality that "I could never get as amazing photographs as him/her."

5.Explore the city for a day without your camera
Sick of carrying your camera around with you and taking photos? Just leave it at home. Walk around your city without your camera in hand, and just cherish those interactions you have with people and the sights and views you see. If all goes well, you will wish that you have your camera with you to capture all those sights out there.

6.Use Film
I would say the majority of street photographers nowadays use digital. I don't see anything wrong with digital, but the shift in using film is a very eye-opening experience. In shooting with film, you must be much more selective with your shots, which allows you to be more precise and build your eye. Not only that, but seeing a film photograph is a much different experience than just seeing your images on the screen. Trust me, and try it.

7.Try other genres of photography
Is street photography starting to bore you? Try using different types of photography out there. In trying different types of photography out there, we develop our eyes in different ways of seeing. Hopefully after shooting enough of other genres of photography, you will realize how much you love street photography and want to go back to it.

8.Blog about street photography
This is what I do. In blogging about street photography, I feel that I am constantly thinking about street photography as well. This inspires me to go shoot at every chance that I have, and always bring my camera with me as well. I also become accountable to my audience, who is expecting new blog posts as well.

9.Read quotes on street photography
We all love inspirational quotes. So why not read inspirational street photography quotes from the masters? Here are a few you can start off with:
"The marvels of daily life are exciting; no movie director can arrange the unexpected that you find in the street." – Robert Doisneau
"People are so wonderful that a photographer has only to wait for that breathless moment to capture what he wants on film" – Weegee
"If you can smell the streets, then it is a good street photograph" – Bruce Gilden

10.Just do it
Everybody has slumps when it comes to street photography. However think about it like exercise. We all dread going to the gym, but after our workout, we feel amazing and were glad that we went. Apply the same mentality to street photography. Just hit the streets and take some time to go out and shoot. Perhaps you will capture that one image which will re-ignite your passion for street photography all over again.

© Eric KIm
About the author:
Eric Kim is a Los Angeles street photographer who loves to blog, tweet, and shoot street photography. If you want to read more of his work, you can check out his website, his blog, his Flickr, and follow him on Facebook and Twitter!



