Overview
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This Specialization, taught by photographer and educator Troy Baird, is intended for aspiring and developing photographers seeking to build creative confidence and technical fluency in street photography. Through three project-based courses, you will explore mindset, gear, on-the-street skills, editing, and artistic growth—preparing you to express your unique vision from capture to final output. This series guides you step-by-step from theory to lifelong practice.
Syllabus
- Course 1: Street Photography: Foundations & Creative Mindsets
- Course 2: Street Photography: Gear, Style & On-the-Street Skills
- Course 3: Street Photography: Post-Production & Lifelong Practice
Courses
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This course, taught by Troy Baird, is your launchpad into the world of street photography. Whether you’re brand new to the genre or looking to reinvigorate your creative process, we’ll break down what makes street photography so powerful—and how to find your own unique artistic voice within it. Through stories, philosophies, and real-world examples, we’ll explore not just how to shoot, but why we shoot. You’ll learn how to define street photography for yourself, tap into your emotional instincts, and build the kind of mindset that allows for consistent, authentic image-making. We’ll also dive into storytelling, intention, and seeing the world with more awareness. By the end of this course, you’ll be able to: * Define your own creative purpose and visual style * Evaluate great street photos and understand why they work * Build daily practices that nurture inspiration and creativity Who’s this for? Anyone curious about street photography, self-expression, or personal creativity. No experience necessary—just a camera (or smartphone) and an open mind. Instructor bio: Troy Baird is an Australian film director and documentary filmmaker with over a decade of global experience. Alongside his documentary work, Troy has pursued his passion for street photography, traveling extensively to dynamic locations including Cuba, India, Nepal, Japan, Morocco, New York, and across Europe and Southeast Asia. His creative journey has taught him to adapt, pivot, and continually refine his approach, culminating in a 9-hour Skillshare Staff Pick class that distills insights from over 200 books, countless films, podcasts, online resources, and ten years of hands-on street photography experience. Troy’s mission is to help creatives discover their own artistic voice and express themselves through street photography.
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This is where theory meets action. In this second course, taught by Troy Baird, we’ll head to the streets—equipped with knowledge, confidence, and the right gear. Whether you’re using a DSLR, film camera, or just your phone, we’ll explore how to make the most of it and begin developing a personal style that fits you. You’ll learn practical techniques like shooting from the hip, framing on the fly, reading the light, and navigating real-world challenges like nerves, distractions, and people. We’ll also cover gear setups, shooting modes, and the secrets to problem-solving in fast-moving environments. By the end of this course, you’ll be able to: * Choose the right camera, lens, and setup for your approach * Develop your own shooting style with intention and consistency * Handle real-life street photography scenarios with confidence Who’s this for? Creators ready to hit the street with intention. To succeed here, you should have a basic understanding of your camera or phone settings and be eager to experiment. Instructor bio: Troy Baird is an Australian film director and documentary filmmaker with over a decade of global experience. Alongside his documentary work, Troy has pursued his passion for street photography, traveling extensively to dynamic locations including Cuba, India, Nepal, Japan, Morocco, New York, and across Europe and Southeast Asia. His creative journey has taught him to adapt, pivot, and continually refine his approach, culminating in a 9-hour Skillshare Staff Pick class that distills insights from over 200 books, countless films, podcasts, online resources, and ten years of hands-on street photography experience. Troy’s mission is to help creatives discover their own artistic voice and express themselves through street photography.
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This course, taught by Troy Baird, is all about what happens after the shutter clicks—and how to build a fulfilling, lifelong relationship with street photography. You’ll discover how to stay inspired over time, learn from the greats, and turn your raw images into polished, expressive final works through editing, printing, and even book-making. We’ll also dig into how to balance your personal vision with outside influence, explore cross-genre creativity, and look ahead to your growth as a photographer. This is where your work starts to take on depth, polish, and permanence. By the end of this course, you’ll be able to: * Edit your street photos for maximum emotional and visual impact * Design, print, or self-publish your work with intention * Build a sustainable creative practice for the long term Who’s this for? Street photographers of any level who want to grow beyond the shoot—to express, refine, and share their vision. Familiarity with basic photo editing tools is recommended, but not required. Instructor bio: Troy Baird is an Australian film director and documentary filmmaker with over a decade of global experience. Alongside his documentary work, Troy has pursued his passion for street photography, traveling extensively to dynamic locations including Cuba, India, Nepal, Japan, Morocco, New York, and across Europe and Southeast Asia. His creative journey has taught him to adapt, pivot, and continually refine his approach, culminating in a 9-hour Skillshare Staff Pick class that distills insights from over 200 books, countless films, podcasts, online resources, and ten years of hands-on street photography experience. Troy’s mission is to help creatives discover their own artistic voice and express themselves through street photography.
Taught by
Skillshare