Skills needed to be a photographer?

The only skill that you should need is the love of taking pictures. I know you have to learn the basics in photography, but the most important thing is that you love what you are doing. No one can say that the shot you took is not good. Remember, photography is art. And art is expressing one's self. So no one can say what is the right way to express yourself. All art is beautiful. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. So, just shoot things that you like and not the things that others will like.

You need quite good camera for street photographing. It depends what will you like to photograph, if you want to take picture of people on street than you will need also good objective with so much zoom. If you will take your interests on other object, than you can have less zoom. Its more important your ideas than quality of your camera. If you have idea and take photos with passion, you will make good photos with any camera.

I would say that the important things are to know and understand your camera and to know and understand your subject. I take action sports shots and to get the quality photo I have to know the sport and the players and in many case I have to anticipate the action and get in position to capture the shot. The same thing will apply to what every you decide to photograph. You might get lucky and capture a few good shots, but you will not be able to build your portfolio with luck.

Hi! I'm a enthusiast photographer. I'm not professional that do know some very technical terms with regards to photography. However, I do know that to be a good photographer you first know what's your style. Then, there are alot of topic in the internet that could explain some basic photography rules like ISO, Exposure, etc. You might visit Froknowsphoto.com. He's fun and great photographer that will help you start with your gear. Then once you already know the basic you can make your own rules based on your liking. Good luck! Have fun!

composition should be your second nature... what ever happens knowing how to compose an image is very important especial your subjects are moving and you only have a fraction of a second to capture it before it's gone. and you need to love people... meaning you shouldn't be shy and be in the middle of the action. so please don't use a freaking 75-300 mm, cause really it's stupid. being a street photographer you need to be close to your subject (don't zoom get closer to your subject). i forgot who was that dude that wrote a book about street photography... but anyways he said to be an effective street photographer you need to be a ghost... meaning you go stealth mode. if people sees you taking a picture of them... well it's not like everybody is happy of that thought though. so they may freak out (yeah been there done that). or when they see you take that huge camera they will start running the other direction or cover their face... yeah your freak'n shot is ruined. and also please don't use HUGE camera body and lenses... well people might be intimidated... the author said (and most of his friends and his heroes) uses a rangefinder and yes most of them uses the "L" Leica. and yes the latest leica rangefinder the M9 cost around $7000-7900(body only at ebay). but the M8 is much cheaper it's only around $2,200- 5,700 (body only at ebay) depending if it's used or brand new. but just stick to a smaller body that you can hide behind your sleeves and you'll be fine.

If you are really interested with that field, you can enroll for a short course on how to's. Photography is indeed needed some skills to have a good result.

I think that for all kind of photography practice and patience are quite important. Practice 'cause that is the best way to combine whatever theory you learn with actual photography. And patience because that perfect picture will elude you for several years before you suddenly get it right :-) Good luck with the street photography :-) If you plan on taking pictures of people, being nice, polite and ask for permission when necessary :-) One of the things I don't have to do, since I mainly do sport and nature.