Street Photography in Cape Town

Bo-Kaap, the former Malay Quarter, climbs the slope of Signal Hill above the center, with brightly painted houses and cobbled streets. Walker found real culture and character here beyond the colors. It is also one of the most photographed streets in Africa, and Penda Photo Tours describes the strain on residents whose homes have become backdrops. Come in the morning, when the sun lights the facades and people head to work or the mosque. Use a wall as the background and wait for a resident to walk through, rather than posing friends on their steps. Ask before including anyone.

Greenmarket Square is one of Cape Town's oldest squares, filled with craft and clothing stalls. Long Street, the busiest street in the center, is a block away, lined with bars and bookshops. Walker suggests working these streets together with Bo-Kaap, since they are all within an easy walk. Late morning is good, when traders and office workers overlap. Shoot across the stalls toward the old buildings on the square. Keep your camera close: the center has pickpockets, and after dark it empties out.

The V&A Waterfront sits in the city's historic working harbor. It is a large shopping and entertainment district full of buskers, with Table Mountain rising behind. Walker found it too touristy for his taste but admits it guarantees non stop activity, and many locals recommend it first. It is also one of the safest places in the city to walk with a camera. Come in the late afternoon for warm light on the water. Frame musicians and their audiences with the mountain behind, or shoot the fishing boats at the quays.

The Sea Point Promenade runs along the Atlantic shore west of the center, a wide walkway used by joggers, families, couples and dog walkers of every background. It is one of the best places in the city to see Capetonians mixing. Late afternoon into sunset is the time, when the light goes gold and the crowd peaks. Stand at the sea wall and shoot silhouettes against the water, or use the lawns for people relaxing. The promenade connects to Walker's suggested walk past the lighthouse to Three Anchor Bay.

Camps Bay is Walker's favorite beach for street photography: huge and popular with locals, set under the jagged Twelve Apostles. The sand and the rock pools fill with people on sunny weekends. The last couple of hours before sunset are best, when the light and the crowd come together. Shoot families on the rocks with the mountains behind, or walk the waterline with a wide lens. The MyCiTi bus runs here from the center. Keep your bag on you on the sand.

Woodstock is Cape Town's oldest suburb, a working class industrial area that went through hard times and has been gentrifying, with galleries and murals. Walker found it one of the more interesting neighborhoods to shoot, with graffiti and hipster cafes next to its gritty past. He also warns it does not feel completely safe away from the main streets. Come by day and stay around Albert Road. Use a large mural as a background and wait for a passerby. Do not wander side streets alone with a camera.

Muizenberg is one of the best known surf beaches in the world, on False Bay south of the city, with its colored bathing huts. Surfers and families fill the beach and the concrete promenade behind it. Walker says the trip is worth it and describes the train ride from the center as about 45 minutes, but the FCDO lists Metrorail as higher risk, so consider a ride app. Late morning is good for surfers in the water. Frame one surfer walking past the huts with a board. From here you can walk the coast toward Kalk Bay.

Kalk Bay is a small fishing harbor that has become a trendy spot, with restaurants and shops, but boats still come in and fish is sold on the quay. Walker found it touristy but with charm. Come around midday or early afternoon to catch boats unloading and the buyers crowding round. Frame hands on fish, or fishermen against the boats with the mountains behind. Seals and gulls hang around the quay and make good foreground. It is a working harbor, so stay out of the way of crews.