Street photography is generally very beginner-friendly. You don’t need an expensive camera or special lenses, you don’t need studio equipment or a crew—just grab your camera and step outside.

Still, if this world is new to you and you’re only “testing the water,” there’s a good chance it will take you some time to understand what it’s about and how to approach the genre.

To help you move in the right direction, I wrote down 11 topics worth thinking through before you start shooting.

1. Always carry your camera with you

This is the most obvious thing, but it also describes a street photographer’s mindset best. Moments worth capturing don’t announce themselves—in the very least, you can be ready for them.

2. Be patient

You’re not shooting in a studio and you don’t control what happens on the street. If you find an interesting location, good light, an ideal background, etc., and you want the right elements to come together, you may have to wait for hours or return for several days before you get the result you want. There may also be days when you spend hours without taking a single photo. That’s part of street photography. When you finally catch the right moment, all the searching will have been worth it.

3. Photograph primarily for yourself

Think through what kinds of photos you want to make—and why. What draws you to photography? What makes street photography special for you? Sometimes it’s nice to practice simply clicking away outside, but by searching more consciously you’ll reach more interesting results faster.

4. Don’t be afraid to photograph people on the street

Don’t hold yourself back. Even if you’re noticed, you can still get a very good photo. Be honest and friendly. When approaching someone on the street, you can prepare a little joke or a compliment just in case. If shooting discreetly feels questionable, ask for permission. The worst that can happen is they say no. Timidity shows in a photograph.

5. Make shooting easier for yourself

Check your camera settings before you go out. As a beginner, autofocus is enough, but make sure your aperture is stopped down enough to keep more in focus and your shutter speed is fast enough to freeze movement on the street. Many street photographers choose an aperture of f/8 in daylight and a shutter speed of at least 1/250. In the dark evening hours, you need to pay more attention to what shutter speed you can use for the amount of movement you want to capture.

Using a prime lens removes one decision before you press the shutter. Over time, you’ll also learn to anticipate what will fit in the frame. If you already have a camera with a zoom lens, you can experiment with different focal lengths—for example by taping your lens temporarily to one focal length for a day.

Lightweight gear is easier to carry. Shoot with a phone or a small point-and-shoot—both can produce more than good enough quality today. Big, heavy pro gear makes walking unpleasant and draws more attention.

6. Learn your camera

When shooting on the street, all the variables are outside your control. To capture a moment where different elements align in your favor, you have very little time. To avoid stumbling over technical obstacles, adjusting your camera should become automatic in any situation.

For example, in the following photo, a few seconds earlier there wasn’t even anything to photograph—just a pedestrian on the sidewalk. The woman happened to bend down in the right place for a brief moment, and it was over in a second. If I had needed to adjust my camera, I would have missed the shot.

7. Take time to get to know your environment

Notice light, shadows, details, colors, backgrounds, and compositions. Look for opportunities where different elements come together in interesting ways. The more you photograph in the same places, the better you’ll learn to anticipate exciting coincidences there.

8. Shoot less, but more

Unless you’re practicing or learning your camera, don’t photograph every random thing. Technology allows us to capture virtually endless photos at almost no cost. That also means a lot of noise. Try to think while you shoot and analyze with your own eyes. If it’s clear that you probably won’t get a good photo, there’s no point in pressing the shutter.

But if you find a potentially interesting moment, take many photos of it—change your viewpoint, photograph details and wider shots, and try to catch the right timing. That gives you the option to choose the best one later at home on the computer.

9. Try to see your photos from the viewer’s perspective

What information does your photo carry? How might others understand it? Does the story you, as the photographer, want to tell come through without knowing the background? Forget your emotions from the moment of shooting and analyze the image itself. Sometimes it helps to give it time and return to your photos weeks or months later.

10. Learn to be self-critical

Today, everyone has capable (phone) cameras in their pocket. Over 100 million photos are posted to Instagram every day. Even if we talk only about street photography, the popularity of this genre has exploded. Before you post, take a moment to analyze it yourself first and ask a friend for feedback as well.

11. Experiment

Try a lot to find the technique and themes that suit you. Photograph in daylight and at night, from far away and up close. Try different cameras and focal lengths. And most importantly, don’t forget to enjoy it!