Street Photography in Perth

Hay Street Mall is the heart of central Perth's shopping, a pedestrian street between Barrack and William Streets. Branden Zavaleta, a Perth writer, lists it among the CBD hotspots, and local photographers name it first when asked where to shoot in the city. Expect shoppers and office workers rather than a big-city crush: he notes the CBD is only pleasantly packed, even on a work day. That makes it easier to isolate one person. Midday sun cuts hard shadows across the mall, so look for someone stepping from shade into a bright patch. Buskers work the mall on busy days. Weekday lunch and Saturday afternoon give you the most people.

Forrest Place is the open square between Perth Station and the Murray and Hay Street malls, with the heritage GPO building on one side. Zavaleta points to the square and its well-known cactus sculpture, and it is where commuters stream in and out of the station. Events and promotions often set up here. Stand on the station side at rush hour and shoot people crossing the square against the GPO's facade. The space is wide and exposed, so a longer focal length helps you stay out of the way. It connects to Yagan Square and Northbridge to the north, so it is a natural start for a walk.

London Court is a narrow mock Tudor arcade running between Hay Street Mall and St Georges Terrace, full of small shops and souvenir stalls. Zavaleta calls it gorgeous and suggests climbing one of the staircases on the sides to see the lane from above. That high angle is the shot: shoppers moving through a narrow, busy frame of timber and signs. The arcade is shaded, so the light is soft even at midday, which is a relief in Perth. It is short, so do it in 15 minutes and move on. The arcade is private property, so if staff ask you to stop, respect it.

Elizabeth Quay is the waterfront precinct at the foot of the CBD, on the Swan River. Footloose Dev picks it for the glittering skyline and its dissolving shadows. Zavaleta suggests walking to the Bell Tower and the palm-lined promenade from here. Late afternoon is best, when low sun throws long shadows of walkers across the paving and the towers light up behind. The curved bridge gives you clean lines to place a single figure on. It is popular with families and joggers, so there is steady movement without crowds. Stay for blue hour, when the city lights come on and reflect in the water.

Northbridge is Perth's nightlife district, just north of the railway line from the CBD. Zavaleta calls it home to the city's Chinatown, with laneways and murals, and says it is plenty busy during the day. It is the best part of Perth for night street photography. After 11pm the clubs fill up, and the streets get loud. For a calmer start, come at dusk and work the neon and lit shop windows along James Street and William Street. Sunday mornings bring the Perth Trading Post for thrift fashion, according to Zavaleta. At night keep your gear small and stay aware, since crowds can get rowdy.

If you only have time for one place, Zavaleta says make it Fremantle, and the markets are its centre. The Victorian market hall on South Terrace is open Friday, Saturday, Sunday and public holiday Mondays, from 9am to 6pm, with the food yard from 8am. Inside you get stallholders and food queues under soft light. Outside, South Terrace's cafe strip and the port town's heritage streets are worth an afternoon. Freo has a relaxed crowd that doesn't mind cameras much. Shoot the hall's aisles from one end with a longer lens to stack people. The Round House and Bathers Beach are a short walk away.

Cottesloe is the beach Perth people go to, and Lomography calls it the place where local culture shines in its most laid-back form. On a warm day, Zavaleta writes, it can compete with Bondi for bustle. The Indiana Tea House is the landmark. Sunset over the Indian Ocean is the moment: silhouettes of swimmers and walkers on the sand, with the sky behind. Walk past the jetty to the rocks for more space. The yearly Sculpture by the Sea exhibition fills the beach with art and crowds, so check dates. Beaches are public, but be careful with children and people in swimwear. When in doubt, don't.

Kings Park sits on the hill above the CBD, and Zavaleta says it is the first place a local will tell you to visit. It has the classic skyline view and the war memorials, and people come to picnic or wander. Start at the State War Memorial and the lookout near it. At dawn, the sun rises behind the city, so you can silhouette early walkers against the skyline. Later in the day, work the paths and the crowds at the cafe. It is more landscape than street, so use it to open or close a day, not fill it. Anzac Day services at the memorial are solemn, so photograph discreetly.