Best Spots For Street Photography In Prague

I’m racing up the 10 flights of stairs to Letná Park, which sits on top of a steep embankment alongside the Vltava River. I’m trying to get there before sunset, foolishly thinking I might be able to set up my camera in peace.

I was wrong.

So clearly this was never going to be the most original photo in the world, and it’s not strictly street photography either, but nevertheless, I stuck with it until I caught my breath the sun had gone down.

This was the result:

Letná Park

There are a few different viewpoints overlooking the river in Letná Park to choose from. I would recommend shooting sunrise if you are going to do it and you want to avoid the crowds.

John Lennon Wall

Being one of Europe’s most beautiful and well-preserved cities, it’s no surprise that there are plenty of opportunities for great street photography in Prague. It’s up there with the likes of Barcelona and Venice as an excellent photography destination.

It started as a protest against communism in the late 80’s. Students and young people who were part of a movement labelled “Lennonism” would write lyrics from Beetles’ songs and draw symbols associated with peace and John Lennon on the wall.

The original artwork is long lost under layers of new paint and a few attempts to restore the wall back to plain white, but local street artists aren’t quite ready to let the John Lennon Wall disappear just yet.

You can find it just around the corner from the famous Charles Bridge.

The street art vibe and industrial feel of Prague in some places in very reminisant of shooting street photography in Berlin.

Charles Bridge

This is where my weekend took a turn for the worse. I formatted my SD card by accident the next day and lost pretty much all my photos. So, from here on in I’ve pieced together what I can from photos I’ve found online. It only took a month for me to get over it and finish writing this article, so not a big deal…

Yes, Charles Bridge might be one of the most well known and dare I say it, touristy, parts of the city but it provides some of the best street photography in Prague if taking candid photos of people is your thing.

The fact that there are so many people in such a small space means you have a much better chance of capturing a photo of someone without them noticing.

There are plenty of interesting artists and musicians that make the perfect subjects for street photography.

Wenceslas Square

The name is a bit misleading. Wenceslas Square is actually more like a long pedestrian boulevard than an actual square but because of this, it’s one of the best places for street photography in Prague.

You’ll have plenty of chances to capture people going about their daily lives because of the fact that it is a boulevard and not just a square.

Prague Metro

Surprisingly, the metro in Prague is a treasure trove of opportunities for street photography. The combination of busy people oblivious to what is going on around them and the surreal design of some of the stations can make for some intriguing photos.

The best part is that it allows you to capture unique photos that many would walk straight past without a second thought.

Street Photography Tips and Advice

Street photography is an exciting and ever-evolving genre that captures the candid moments of life and humanity in public spaces. Mastering the below street photography tips and advice means you’ll understand light, composition, timing and, above all, possess the ability to relate with your subject matter without intervening in the scene.

Here we share some practical tips that will improve your skills and help you to take compelling street photographs:

1. Always Carry Your Camera: Opportunities for striking photos are consistently present but often fleeting. You never know when a unique moment might unfold before you, so always having your camera ensures you’re ready to capture it.
2. Get Close: Don’t stand at a distance with a telephoto lens; immerse yourself in the environment. A wide or normal perspective lens forces you to get close to your subjects resulting in more engaging images.
3. Observe & Anticipate: Spend time observing people and their patterns of movement within a location. Learn how to anticipate interesting situations and be ready for them.
4. Use Natural Light: Utilize different natural lighting conditions like golden hour or shadowed areas to add mood and depth into your photographs.
5. Simplify Your Composition: In busy streets, focusing on one main subject can create an impactful photograph amidst chaos. Also pay attention to background elements – they should complement, not obscure or detract from, your main subject.
6. Stay Incognito: Try not getting noticed so that your presence doesn’t influence peoples’ behavior around you. Dress simple and avoid using flash whenever possible.
7. Be Patient: Sometimes the right shot unfolds after waiting patiently at one spot where action is currently happening or likely going to occur.
8. Utilsize Layers: Incorporating layers (foreground, middle ground, background) can help bring complexity and depth into an image while also creating visual narratives between people and objects spaced differently in the photo.
9. Create a Story: The most compelling street photographs are thought-provoking and tell a story. They make the viewer wonder about the circumstances, emotions or motives of the characters captured.
10. Respect Privacy: It’s essential to respect others’ privacy when taking photos on the street. If anyone objects or is uncomfortable being photographed, be sure to respect their wishes. It’s also a good idea to familiarize yourself with local laws before you head out shooting.

Remember, practicing regularly will help you hone these skills further. Enjoy the process of capturing everyday life as it happens around you and keep challenging your creative boundaries. Each street corner holds a potential masterpiece; being prepared for that decisive moment is what defines success in street photography.

Good Luck!

Good luck with your street photography adventure in Prague!