*A series of guides on shooting Street Photography in cities around the world. Find the best spots to shoot, things to capture, street walks, street tips, safety concerns, and more for cities around the world. I have personally researched, explored and shot Street Photography in every city that I create a guide for. So you can be ready to capture the streets as soon as you step outside with your camera!

Johannesburg

Overview:

Commonly shortened to Joburg, Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa and an economic center for all of Africa. While it brings a reputation of crime and danger, it also provides a vibrant, rapidly changing city. Within its danger and edginess, you’ll find a friendly and trendy heart to the city.  It’s a big city with plenty to see and hip neighborhoods to explore. There’s no getting around the fact you do have to be careful here, especially if you want to walk the streets for photography. If you’re up for the challenge and know where to go, then you’ll be rewarded with one of the friendliest and warmest big, urban cities I’ve experienced yet. 

So here’s a Street Photography guide so you can be ready to capture all that Johannesburg has to offer before you even arrive!

Map:

1. Soweto
2. Braamfontein
3. Maboneng
4. Newtown
5. Sandton

Top 5 Street Spots:

1. Soweto

Soweto is the oldest and largest township in South Africa, and the prior home of Nelson Mandela. Formerly a separate municipality, it’s now part of the city of Johannesburg. Covering many neighborhoods, Soweto is full of history. It used to be known as the most dangerous part of Johannesburg (my 50-year-old taxi driver from the airport told me he’d never dared step foot outside there his whole life), but today it’s nothing like it once was. Visitors come to see Mandela’s old house and there’s popular bike tours given to explore the township. I was even able to find a nice place to stay for a few days in the middle of it all, which ended up being my most memorable experience in the city.

While it’s still not completely safe, as I’ve been warned about danger many times walking around alone (I was nicknamed “crazy man” after the first day), it’s actually become safer than the city center. And as far as friendliness goes, you’re not going to find many places friendlier. I’m constantly greeted with smiles walking around, many people wanting to talk to me and welcome me to their community. And what stands out the most, there’s a very strong community vibe exploring the streets here. While it’s part of a big city, it doesn’t feel like it. Not only that, but there’s so much life and interest to capture outside here. It feels a little back in time, with a strong authenticity to that I really enjoy. If you come to Joburg, I strongly recommend visiting Soweto with your camera. If you’re worried about safety, at least spend time walking the area around Hector Pieterson Memorial and Mandela’s House in Orlando West.

2. Braamfontein

Near the city center, you’ll find Braamfontein, maybe the trendiest area in the city. While it used to be a run down business district, the city has since spent many millions regenerating it into a hipster hotspot filled with students, coffee shops, art galleries, fashion stores, chic hotels, restaurants and plenty of bars, providing one of the city’s most popular areas for nightlife too. It’s still a business district, but also a commercial, entertainment and university hub of the city. Filled with a creative, cool atmosphere, it’s one of the safer spots around the city center thanks to a higher focus on security.

Every Saturday, people flock here for the Neighbourgoods Market. Specializing in a wide variety of food stalls, the Neighbourgoods Market also has a fun, hip and contemporary vibe. Since it started in 2011, it’s become one of the top attractions in the city, which fills the streets here with extra activity and life on Saturdays, making it a good day to come here with your camera.

3. Maboneng

The Maboneng Precinct has become one of Joburg’s most successful and innovative urban neighbourhood regeneration projects in downtown. While it used to be a “no-go” zone, like much of the city center, it’s now home to one of the safest and most vibrant streets around, Fox Street. You’ll find unique character and a vibrant culture in this small section of the city. There’s a mix of trendy restaurants, bars, boutique shops, galleries, and entertainment spaces integrated into an urban environment. This also gives it some similarities to Braamfontein, but I find a little more character and community feel here, without as much business district feel.

Arts on Main is located here, and houses galleries and boutiques, but it’s also the place for Market On Main, which happens every Sunday. This market sells everything from produce and baked goods to art and fashion. There’s a very creative atmosphere with the people selling their own goods. It also really livens up the whole area, with people inside and outside enjoying the vibrant, active scene.

If you want to venture outside of this small section along Fox Street, it quickly gets much edgier. Locals might tell you not too, but there’s definitely interest for street photography along and around Main and Commissioner streets. And if you’re going to try it, I find Sunday the safest day to do it by far due to all the activity brought by the Market on Main.

4. Newtown

Newtown is the least safe spot included here, but it’s an important one with plenty to see. It’s considered Joburg’s cultural precinct and is located in the heart of the city. While Newtown has been a focus of inner-city regeneration, it still has its fair share of danger and edge if you explore, partly due to its size. Being a cultural hotspot of the city, you’ll find history, museums, art, and diversity. The Museum Africa is here, which attracts tourists, but walking around the surrounding areas, I find a lot of character. There’s street markets, warehouses, a strong music presence, an older feeling and an edgy, active atmosphere. While I definitely had to watch my back in some areas and wouldn’t freely explore the area every day, I was glad I gave it some time on foot with my camera. It provided something different, lots of life, and an interesting look at what the city has come from.

5. Sandton

Sandton is a financial and business district north of the city that’s reachable by the Gautrain, a very nice rapid railway system. Sandton grew fast due to the northward expansion caused by people and business moving out of the increasingly dangerous city center. Today, it is known as ‘Africa’s richest square mile’ and is filled with skyscrapers, big business, and financial institutions. It’s an affluent and very safe spot to come give a visit to see a very different part of Joburg. The spot I’d recommend for street photography would be just outside the Sandton Gautrain stop. Here, you’ll find Sandton City, arguably the most impressive mall in Africa, while also having the popular Mandela Square connected for even more photo opportunities.

Sample Street Walk:

This city made this section really tricky, but for a full day of Street Photography, covering some of the best spots, you can follow this sample street walk for Johannesburg:

• Start your morning exploring Soweto (1) around Orlando West
• Take transportation back to the city center and hit up Fox Street in Maboneng (3)
• From here, take transportation to Park Station and either walk Braamfontein (2) or take the Gautrain up to Sandton City and Mandela Square (5)
• Due to dangerous areas, Johannesburg isn’t made for walking everywhere, but if you pick your spots and take transportation, you can make a good day of street photography out of it

3 Things I’ll Remember Most about Johannesburg:

1. Soweto experience

As mentioned before, Soweto is the oldest and largest township in South Africa, and the prior home of Nelson Mandela. While its reputation might scare some people away, much has changed here as its become more welcoming for outsiders. This is evidenced by popular bike tours and even lodging options coming to the area. While not completely safe, the overall friendliness makes it worth those risk for me. I have found many places more friendly and interesting. There’s a very warm community vibe felt throughout that brings authenticity, character and lots of life on the streets.

If you come to Joburg, I strongly recommend visiting Soweto with your camera. If you’re worried about safety, at least spend time walking the area around Hector Pieterson Memorial and Mandela’s House in Orlando West.

2. Danger

I’ve never been to a city with so many supposed “No Go” zones (they even have maps showing them). I’ve also never been to a city where I was warned more by locals, and visitors, to not venture outside specific areas. Usually, these type of warnings tend to be exaggerated to help make sure you stay safe, but Johannesburg’s reputation feels pretty warranted. From my Uber drivers to everyone I met, it usually came up about where not go, which unfortunately felt like the whole city. The downtown and city center of Joburg has experienced some heavy increase in crime, as many companies and workers are moving up to safer areas now. Certain areas and shopping streets will have security out watching, but venture too far around and you will feel the danger.

I can’t come to a city for street photography and be secluded to such small areas, though, I have to explore the city. So, I make sure to take the risks, anyway, but believe me, it can be a constant rush and “experience” in some areas. You can feel the looks, sometimes being followed, sometimes being asked questions made to intimidate and check you. The scenery and atmosphere can get pretty sketchy and you won’t see a single visitor around. You just have to keep moving and watch your surroundings, or just not venture around as much as me. The metro stations can feel the least safe at times too, especially in the middle of the day.

While I wouldn’t recommend it, it does help see a much wider view of the city, which I find interesting. There’s a lot of edgy, authentic urban character to find. It provides interest, colors with darkness and grit, an old deteriorating city from years ago within a booming metropolis. Some of it feeling a little back in time and some of it having a multi-cultural mixture of influences. Of course, most people are fine too, although they will give looks like “what the #*&! are you doing around here?” There’s really two very different sides to this city mixed in together, even seemingly divided by zones. So, I’m glad I’ve been able to experience both.

3. They love malls

When asking locals where locals like to go in Johannesburg, “malls” is the most common answer. After exploring different parts of the city, this answer was noticeably accurate. Joburg is filled with impressive malls. It makes perfect sense too in a city filled with no-go zones where safety is an issue walking around. These elaborate, modern malls provide a safe getaway filled with everything you could need for a day’s entertainment. Shopping, food, movies, and more. Many times laid out in an expansive inside/outside pathway construction where people can come enjoy a day out with friends and family in a setting that is more than a mall. 

For street photography, this also provides some safe spots to come shoot with guaranteed activity. I’m not a big fan of shooting at malls, mostly because of the light, but with outside areas too, I found it worth some time. The massive Sandton City and Rosebank Mall would be my two most recommended. With Sandton City, you get arguably the most impressive mall in Africa, while also having the popular Mandela Square connected for even more photo opportunities.

4. Big, Friendly Cosmopolitan City in Africa

Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa and one of the 50 largest urban areas in the world. It’s an economic center of Africa and one of the most modern and developed city’s in the continent. It’s a big urban sprawl with a lot going on. From its history and continuing conflict to its prosperous development and future, it’s an urban metropolis with plenty going on. A diverse cosmopolitan mix that is hard to top in Africa, which attracts plenty of people from all over, especially the young.

In the 2015 YouthfulCities Index, it was named the “most popular African city” overall for young people aged 15-29. It has one of the more impressive city skylines you’ll find in Africa too. So, if you want to experience a big, cosmopolitan city in Africa, this is one of the top places to go.

Within this big city’s dangers and warnings, Johannesburg has a vibrance at heart that is very appealing. You have to immerse yourself into it and look past the negatives to find it, but I ended up having a more enjoyable time here than most cities. Joburg is rapidly changing with trendy hipster urban neighborhoods like Maboneng and there’s an optimism found around the city. Compared to Cape Town, Joburg is commonly known as the friendlier, less stuffy city. And while I found Cape Town friendly enough, Joburg was even more friendly. For a big urban city, I found the people to be some of the friendliest I’ve met. There’s a lot of character in the vibe here and the city buzzes with its progression from past to future. 

What To Do For a Street Photography Break?:

Bike Soweto or Enjoy one of Joburg’s Trendy Streets

Soweto has popular biking tours daily that really give a unique experience, while allowing you to really see Soweto. If you don’t want the exercise, you can relax at one of Joburg’s trendy streets like Fox Street in Maboneng. You’ll find hip eateries, bars and galleries to enjoy for a street photography break.

Street Safety Score: 3

*As always, no place is completely safe! So when I talk about safety, I’m speaking in general comparison to other places. Always take precaution, be smart, observe your surroundings and trust your instincts anywhere you go!

Just like with Cape Town, this is South Africa so crime rates aren’t so pretty. Unfortunately, South Africa statistically has some of the highest crime in the world and Johannesburg usually sits around the top in the country. While I do feel less safe in Johannesburg compared to Cape Town, not all statistics back this feeling up. I think one of the main reasons for this feeling is that in Cape Town you have more relatively safe areas to explore. It’s more touristy, outdoors and there’s more focus to keep those areas safer. But in Johannesburg’s center you have big malls and smaller multiple block areas of relative safety, while most of it is considered “no go” zones by locals. Still, while it probably gives the least safe feeling to explore freely out of any city during my project, Johannesburg is doable for street photography and worth the extra caution, in my opinion. I named some of the safer areas above and below you’ll find some safety tips to help you explore the city without as much worry. Beneath crime and risk, you’ll find a very friendly and likable city.

People’s Reaction Score: 7.5

According to most South Africans, Johannesburg is known for its friendliness compared to Cape Town. And while I didn’t find Cape Town particularly unfriendly, I did find Johannesburg very friendly. Honestly, it’s one of the friendliest big, urban cities I’ve experienced. This can extend to photo friendliness too. Other than criminal activity in some of the sketchier areas, the people don’t seem to mind photos and reactions are mostly warm, if any reaction at all. Soweto was especially photo friendly, despite its reputation. I never find a problem shooting street photography in Johannesburg, you just have to watch out for who you’re photographing and you shouldn’t find a problem, either. As far as the African continent goes, this is about as good as it gets for street photography reactions.

Street Tips:

1. City center is the most dangerous feeling I’ve been to, safety tips

With warnings kept in mind, I still did my best to explore Johannesburg on foot and camera in hand. I didn’t make it out without any problems, but I did make it out with my camera so if you want to risk it like me, here’s a few safety tips I can give for shooting in Johannesburg.

a. Keep notice of security guards

This is my best advice for visitors who don’t want to take many risks, but still want to shoot in Joburg. Security is a popular profession in Joburg. Many stores and restaurants will hire security to sit outside their business, while you’ll also find hired security working corners and streets in nicer areas. These are your safest spots to shoot. Fox Street in Maboneng and Braamfontein around Neighborhoods Market are a couple active and interesting spots where you’ll find solid pockets of security. Just be aware when security becomes out of sight.

b. Keep a plastic shopping bag in your pocket

When you feel you’re walking through more dangerous areas, carry your camera in a plastic shopping bag. You’re much more likely to get mugged if you look like you might have something valuable. A plastic market bag will get little care compared to a real camera bag.

c. Constantly scan your surroundings

Notice bad body language and look for anyone that seems overly interested in you. Joburg isn’t a place where they’re naturally over-curious about foreigners. 

d. Make sure to keep distance between people

While remembering faces, notice if someone seems to be getting closer to you. Don’t let yourself be open to be cornered so keep on the outside of sidewalks and cross the street if someone crosses the street towards you.

e. Know where you are and what safe spots are nearby

When going from one busy area towards another, you’ll probably cross some sketchy, quieter areas. These are the most dangerous so move fast and know where to run if needed.

f. Run if needed

I’ve had to twice. Don’t wait until you know something’s wrong. If you feel someone is moving closer you on purpose, then run to get out of any chance of danger.

g. Or just don’t be like me

And take Uber everywhere and walk nowhere :)

2. Trains can be dangerous here, especially in the quiet middle of the day. No police or trustworthy security around for some reason.

Joburg’s transportation system can be tricky. They do have metro train lines that can get you around, but they aren’t always recommended by locals, especially during the day when there’s not as many people around. For some reason, there’s not much security around, either, and it can feel less safe than the streets. The more quiet, the worse. I’ve taken the trains many times, though, to see what it’s like. I’ve never seen a foreigner once and I can understand why, it doesn’t feel safe. While saying that, nothing has actually happened to me, but I have gotten comments like “nice phone” while looking at my pocket, where it still was. So, if you do want to try the trains, be careful. 

Saying that, the newer Gautrain, which takes you to the safer northern districts like Sandton, is a completely different story. It’s much more expensive, but it’s also 100 times nicer and safer. If you you’re going north, take the Gautrain.

3. Uber is a game changer and life saver in South Africa

I wrote the following for Cape Town too, but it’s even more true in Johannesburg:

Uber is a game changer in South Africa. The difference it makes here for safety and transportation is bigger than any country I’ve been to. And in Johannesburg, this more true than any city I’ve been to. With so many no go zones and dangerous areas, exploring around takes a lot of risk. And it’s a big city so walking on foot isn’t even an option many times. Muggings are as common here as anywhere, especially at night, and your transportation options can be dangerous too. The new and modern Gautrain is a safe, but only takes you a few places north of the center, while the main metro train system can be pretty sketchy. I was warned not to take it the middle of the day due to it being non-rush hours without many people around. I still took it, but felt uneasy the whole time. And never once saw a non-local take it.

Unfortunately, taxis in South Africa can feel more dangerous than walking around the city too. Many of the drivers are criminals using this as a cover or side job. They’re not always friendly and if you’re unlucky, there’s always a chance something could go wrong. At the very least, they’ll try to rip you off. Fortunately, Uber solves all these problems. They’re much safer due to Uber’s background checks and strict guidelines. They’re friendly and comfortable. And they’re even quite a bit cheaper. Using Uber is a no brainer here. Only one bit of warning is that taxi drivers aren’t too happy about losing their business so sometimes they will attack Uber drivers. I didn’t have a problem, but the Uber drivers are sometimes worried depending on the area they’re in and might not pick you up or drop you off in certain areas.

Inspiration:

For some more inspiration, you check out this article from The New Yorker on local photographer Sabelo Mlangeni and look through 33 of my photos taken in Johannesburg.

Conclusion:

Johannesburg might not be on the top of everyone’s list, especially with the warranted safety warnings and being overshadowed by the beauty of Cape Town and the rest of South Africa. For street photography and a unique big city experience, though, I honestly would recommend it. There’s something I really enjoy about the people and vibe of Joburg. Mix that with the edgy, urban center, the trendy hotspots, the safer suburbs, and the one of a kind experience Soweto provides, and you get a big city that gives interest that others don’t. You do need to be careful in Joburg, but I wouldn’t let that stop you from spending some time here and experiencing this big South African metropolis.

I hope this guide can help you better experience Johannesburg. So, grab your camera and capture all that Johannesburg has to offer for Street Photography!

If you still have any questions about shooting in Johannesburg, feel free to comment below or email me!

(I want to make these guides as valuable as possible for all of you so add any ideas on improvements, including addition requests, in the comment section!)

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