Silkway2017

We (myself, my wife and my son) traveled to Salt Lake City in July 2019.
I had my Pentax K-S1 DSLR with prime 50mm lens with me .
I mostly used Aperture Priority Mode. I am not well experienced photographer and I would appreciate suggestions how to improve my street/urban/parks/people photography based on these few example pictures.
If needed I can add more for analyses.
Thanks in advance !

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Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

There are specific sections for street , people, and analysis. At the bottom of the page is an "All Sections" link. It will take you to a listing of all the sections available on UHH. You can subscribe to the sections that interest you.

Cmbtvet Loc: Elmira, NY

Your photos are good but IMO I think #1 you could have used a wider aperture to blur the people in the background not sure about #2 #3 you could have zoomed in on the faces more and the last shot I think you could have moved a little closer so you didnt get the street lamp in the shot but other than that nice set of photos

Howard5252 Loc: New York / Florida (now)

Based on the fourth photo, it looks like the camera moved when you pressed the shutter; the movement appears to be up/down not side to side. Try to be very gentle rather than mashing down on the button.

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

"Street Photography" should be random and spontaneous shots, such as the first two. The third photo is more portrait photography. As well as random and spontaneous, street photography is also largely, but not entirely, black and white. It is not necessary, but should be in the mix.

achesley Loc: SW Louisiana

I liked them all. But, I like studying things in the background and to the sides of the main focus of the picture. On #2 I probably would of cropped the guy to the left out.
Keep on keeping on as you learn as you go.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

In most cases, I think street photography is best presented in black and white. I know that many disagree.

CO

You never want to crop at someone's joints. In photo #1 you cropped through the young lady's ankles.

Photo #2 has barrel and perspective distortion. A tighter crop will put more emphasis on the two people. I hope it's OK. I corrected the barrel and perspective distortion in DxO Labs ViewPoint 3 software and cropped in tighter.

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Stephan G

In Street Photography, often a sense of movement is within the shot, presenting a story. And the focus is not necessarily in the center.

One definite way to improve is to shoot more. Look at others' shots to see what they aim at. And try to emulate them. Then compare to your own and decide what you like and why. Don't be afraid to play.

As one of my buddies told me, "When your viewfinder is completely filled by a chest, look up and say with a smile, hello."

Rathyatra Loc: Southport, United Kingdom

Very nice set - love the last one of the church.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

I have lots of photos like this. I call them documentary snapshots, recording where I’ve been. With that said, I’d suggest you look into using a couple of different lens options. A wide wide angle lens would give you a dramatic perspective. I use my Sigma 10-20 on my D7200 for this. Another option would be to use an 18-200 zoom to get some background blur in telephoto range or to take in a broader composition in wide range.

Boss

There appears to be sensor spots in sky of the 4th picture.

Meadwilliam

IMHO street photography is just b&w snap shots.

SalvageDiver Loc: Huntington Beach CA

I'm not an accomplished street photographer so these are just my opinions, YMMV.

All are nice images. No.1 and 3 seems to be more portrait, "we were there", kind of shots and #4 is a nice image of a church.
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However, I really like no.2 as a street photograph. It seems to capture a rare moment that you don't routinely see. It feels spontaneous to me. I would title it, "Not your dad's Chevy". You don't often see a couple, in nice dress, sharing an electric scooter as a means of travel down the street.

Street photography seems to be, routinely B&W, but there are some very excellent street photographers that shot in color, but they seem to be in the minority. I wouldn't rule out shooting street in color.

I revised your no.2 image to be what feels more pleasing for my taste. First I tightened the crop, removing the person on the left and sign on the right. I didn't feel that they added to your composition and the crop helps draw more attention to your subject. I leveled the horizon and adjusted out some of the perspective distortion. I then converted it to B&W and added some contrast to add a little bit of 'pop' to the image. I highlighted the subject, i.e. the couple, and darkened some of the distracting/competing components, such as the white car near the couples head.

There is a Street Photography section where you could get some very good feedback.

If you want to get additional feedback, you might post to the "For Your Consideration" or "Post Processing" sections for feedback. In any of these sections there are very good photographers that could give you excellent feedback and PP your images to give you more ideas.
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Not your dad's Chevy

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dat2ra Loc: Sacramento

I agree about street photography needing to have a strong story. Often the strongest and most enduring street images are of the most fleeting moments. By far, the scooter shot is my favorite, and I'd crop it even tighter than Salvage did, but his treatment is spot on.