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Wish you could capture those spontaneous moments of urban life like a pro? Learn the tricks of the skilful trade of street photography and build your confidence in snapping candid, unobtrusive photographs on the street, shooting in some of the most dynamic and vibrant areas of London to tell powerful stories in single images.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
This course will introduce you to the theory and practice of street photography - capturing contemporary urban life in a spontaneous and naturalistic way with no interaction between photographer and subject. You will learn about the history of the genre and its top practitioners, different creative approaches, and technical skills from narrative and composition to super-quick reflexes. We will boost your confidence in snapping candid shots of strangers by taking you out to practise on location in London's most vibrant areas, developing your critical and visual awareness as well as an understanding of photography as a means of communication.
What will we cover?
- Traditional and contemporary approaches to street photography, both in colour and B&W. - History of documentary photography and an overview of the work of influential contemporary practitioners. - Practical, ethical and legal considerations. - Specialist techniques for quick reflexive picture-taking. - Narrative and composition, telling a story with a single image. - Online street photography collectives.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Have a better understanding of the evolution of street photography in the last 100 years - Feel more confident about taking candid photographs of people in public - Have developed your own photographic technique - Have a better understanding of the legal framework for taking photographs in public - Create a small portfolio of images.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
Ideal for those who have completed our Photography for beginners course, or for anyone with a basic understanding of ISO, aperture, shutter speed, white balance and how to change these on your digital SLR, morrorless or bridge camera (i.e. not a point-and-shoot camera). You must have manual functions on your camera (i.e. be able to change the aperture and shutter speed settings). You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions to support demonstrations, hand-outs and for health and safety information, and be prepared to take part in group discussion. You should be happy using numbers and able to do simple measurements and calculations.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught through a series of location shoots, talks, handouts, demonstrations and practical exercises. You are encouraged to practise in your own time to embed the skills and information covered on the course. The course also uses Google Classroom (an online teaching resource) for you to share comments with your class, download course material and upload images for group crits. See below for the instructions on how to log on. Google classroom log in help
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Please bring your camera and ideally a notebook. If you don't have your own camera, City Lit has digital SLR and mirrorless cameras (Canon, Fuji, Nikon & Sony) tripods and flash which you are welcome to borrow during the hours of the course. We are unable to lend equipment between the lessons.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
City Lit runs over 70 different photography courses, from wedding and wildlife photography to darkroom processing and using software packages. Browse the website to get inspired.
Michael Harding was born in Canada, where he studied cinema and photography at Concordia University, Montréal, before moving to the UK. Since then, he has created striking images of architecture, art, people and landscapes for international blue-chip clients for their use in editorial, advertising and corporate applications. Michael’s work has won many industry awards, notably being selected in the Eleventh Association of Photographers Awards and further receiving a Merit Award in the Seventeenth Association of Photographers Awards. His work was selected for a Highly Commended Award in the Deutsche Bauzeitung “Visions in Architecture” European Architectural Photography prize. His work has been exhibited in both the United Kingdom and Canada. Michael has been Chairman, as well as President, of the Association of Photographers (AOP). The AOP is Europe’s most established organisation for professional photographers, working to ensure greater recognition for all professional photographers, as well as working to positively influence legislators in the UK and Europe for the benefit of all photographers.
Jad is a multi disciplined artist whose work draws inspiration from memory and time. Lens based media has formed the foundations of his practice, utilising over 20 years of experience working within the eclectic range of disciplines that make up the photographic industry. Over this time Jad has had the opportunity to work on both film and digital, 35mm to large format. As a commercial photographer he has been commissioned to produce work for advertising campaigns, corporate institutions and the creative arts industry both on location and in the studio. His experience is not only limited to the role of the photographer, having had the opportunity to work in diverse roles of photographic production. From assisting photographers to creative post production, budgeting, contracts and working in a photographic lab. His ongoing artistic practice, presented as ongoing projects or completed series, uses both found photographic imagery, staged studio photography and moving image.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
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You will learn about the history of the genre and its top practitioners, different creative approaches, and technical skills from narrative and composition to super-quick reflexes. We will boost your confidence in snapping candid shots of strangers by taking you out to practise on location in London's most vibrant areas, developing your critical and visual awareness as well as an understanding of photography as a means of communication. During the course you will also have the opportunity to contribute to the course blog and participate in online forums.001173286London street photography239239https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/g/r/grace_simaskaite__14.jpgInStockDaytimeFriKeeley StreetAvailable courses1 to 4 weeksWeekday2025-10-03T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experienceOct 2025Art & designVY947239239London street photography191155239Michael Hardinglondon-street-photography/vy947-2526Wish you could capture those spontaneous moments of urban life like a pro? 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Learn the tricks of the skilful trade of street photography and build your confidence in snapping candid, unobtrusive photographs on the street, shooting in some of the most dynamic and vibrant areas of London to tell powerful stories in single images.0000-Available|2026-06-07 00:00:00virtual2455786London street photography239239https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/g/r/grace_simaskaite__15.jpgInStockDaytimeFriKeeley StreetAvailable courses1 to 4 weeksWeekday2026-01-23T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experienceJan 2026Art & designVY405239239London street photography191155239Jad Oakeslondon-street-photography/vy405-2526Wish you could capture those spontaneous moments of urban life like a pro? 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