The Truth About Solo vs Group Street Photography

It was a strange day yesterday. I was heading to the unveiling of my photography club’s first anniversary zine (that’s “magazine” for the older amongst you).

But I’d arrived in town an hour early — just in time to photograph the annual comic con. About an hour before it starts, people begin to congregate outside the G-Mex (I’ll never call it Manchester Central!) in their weird and wonderful costumes.

I’m fascinated by subcultures. Maybe one day I’ll do some documentary photography on one. I just can’t seem to find a way in — yet.

The Wasp Incident

Anyway, I was walking in and amongst the crowd, taking my usual photos of colourful people in masks and extravagant costumes, when I happened upon a couple grinning and laughing at something.

Then I saw it — the object of their mirth was a wasp, its stinger firmly embedded in the girl’s arm (*photo at the bottom for the squeamish).

Being the gentleman I am, I offered to remove said wasp — though not before snapping a dozen shots of it from a few different angles, of course.

The girl kindly but firmly refused, saying she was happy to let it leave of its own accord.

So the three of us stood there, transfixed, watching it presumably inject its body weight in venom into her arm while we laughed like the sickos we clearly are. Eventually — after about five minutes — it left.

Just goes to show what you can stumble into, wandering through a subculture and sampling a slice of life in their world.

Why I Usually Shoot Solo

I saw a few people I know from the club, but I was happy to shoot this one solo — I was only there for an hour.

But what does time have to do with anything?

Well, I genuinely believe you often get more done when shooting alone. Many street photographers work solo most of the time. Why?

Because we’re weirdos who can’t make friends and live vicariously through photographing other people living their lives?

Okay, not a legitimate reason — but funny.

The real reason? Shooting solo lets you stay completely focused. You’re less likely to miss moments the way you might if you’re chatting with someone or moving with a group.

You’re also free to work at your own pace — whether that’s ten minutes or ten hours. And for me, that freedom is a big part of why I shoot alone most of the time.

I like being able to come and go as I please — spontaneously, usually in between other things: meeting friends, shopping, running errands, etc.

The Dark Side of “Shot Stealing”

Some people shoot solo because they’re worried about others “stealing” their shots. Just imagine — they spot THE photo, but their (former) friend snaps it first. That friend’s career takes off… while they spend the rest of their life wallowing in bitterness, addicted to alcohol and drugs.

Until one day, they’re found with a syringe in their arm, surrounded by empty bottles and blister packs, THE photo clutched in their lifeless hands, and a heavily used dartboard on the wall — bearing a photo of their former friend.

It Doesn’t Have to Be That Way

Well, I guess we got a little dark there, didn’t we!

Some people really are concerned about this sort of thing (photo-stealing, not my dark imagination… although maybe they should be!). And I can’t say it’s never come up. But in my experience, if it becomes a regular issue, you’re probably shooting with the wrong person — or in a group that’s too big.

If you think about it, most hobbies are solo: running, birdwatching, playing an instrument… masturbation. You get the picture.

So why should street photography be any different?

Well, it’s my job to play devil’s advocate and say — it doesn’t have to be that way. I’ve photographed with loads of people over the years and it’s great fun.

That said, you do have to make compromises. Shots are never truly “yours”. There’s a line: if your partner has clearly spotted a unique composition, you let them have it. But more obvious scenes? They’re fair game.

I shoot a lot with John Hughes and Nuno, whom I’ve mentioned before. Over the years, through time spent together and a shared understanding of street etiquette, we’ve learned to respect each other’s space. We don’t get in each other’s way. If one of us spots something good, the others back off. Otherwise, we’re all hard workers — we just get on with it.

When things are quiet, we chat. But the rest of the time we move like a pack of wolves: unified, but separate, always connected by an invisible thread.

Learning from Others

Another thing to make peace with: sometimes you’ll come home with nothing. Shooting with others can often be more of a social thing — a walk and a talk, where the main goal is just to hang out. The camera becomes an afterthought. And that’s fine too.

So far, I’ve mostly talked about the downsides of shooting with others — but the positives are many.

When I first started (and still do, of course), I learned a huge amount from shooting with others. I was always asking how they did things — technically, artistically, even socially (which is a massive part of street photography). I have no ego about asking even the most basic questions; I just want to learn. I think some people are too proud to ask, or worse, don’t even realise they have something to learn from others.

I see a lot of people shoot in groups or one-to-one, and they rarely ask questions. I think they really miss out.

Ideally, you want to shoot with people who are better than you — or at least close in ability — if you’re interested in a partnership that pushes you. A space where you learn from each other and there’s just enough friendly competition.

With the right shooting partner, that competition doesn’t need to be toxic. It can simply be the drive to come away with something you’re proud of — and then compare shots at the end of the day, cheer each other on, and feel like you both did good work.

Let’s face it, we’ve all had days when one guy gets all the great shots, and your SD card is just… full of shit.

And by the way — everyone knows you didn’t “accidentally press the format button.” Just be a grown-up and admit you were rubbish that day.

Kidding, of course. (Kind of.)

In my opinion, you should be competitive. Just don’t be a dick.

The Power of a Group

There’s definitely safety in numbers — especially in certain situations, like rough protests or walking around at night. If one person’s not feeling it, the other can help motivate. And I’m sure you can think of plenty more pros and cons yourself.

But the message remains the same: there’s a lifetime of solo shooting out there if that’s what you want — but I really think you’re missing out. I’d recommend finding someone else, or even a group, to shoot with.

Personally, after taking two years out of photography, I found being part of a club really helpful. It gave me motivation. That “safety in numbers” factor helped with the low confidence that came from not shooting for so long. And with regular meetings every two weeks, it meant I had a guaranteed date in the diary to get out and shoot.

At the very least, I’d hit the streets twice a month — and eventually, I started shooting in between those meetups. Now, a year and a half later, I shoot fairly regularly.

Try Things On, See What Fits

Anyway, the main thing is to enjoy yourself and keep learning — whether that’s with a group, a partner, or as a lone wolf. Not every approach suits everyone, so try things on and see what fits.

Below is a small gallery of photos taken while shooting with others — images I probably wouldn’t have captured on my own. Sometimes it was because I ended up in places I wouldn’t normally go. Other times, it was about working a composition together, feeling bolder with people around me, or simply having two sets of eyes spotting moments I might’ve missed alone.