Shooting Street in Night or Day
Street photography is a unique genre that captures the essence of everyday life, showcasing candid moments and the beauty of urban environments. While some street photographers dedicate time to photo walks and specific shooting sessions, others, like myself, find opportunities during their daily commutes or in-between moments. As a result, my photographs often feature familiar locations with different scenes, which is perfectly fine for casual shooting. However, if the goal is to build a cohesive body of work, this approach can pose a challenge.
In my case, the only dedicated time I have for photo walks or cycling excursions is during the early morning or evening hours. This limited time frame forces me to adapt and explore the unique aspects of shooting in low-light conditions. Personally, I find shooting in the streets at night particularly intriguing, especially when the lighting is sparse or controlled, such as in front of store fronts or under streetlights. During the daytime, I rely more on my mobile phone due to my hectic work schedule and the environmental factors like dust, rain, and bustling crowds in Indian cities, specifically Bangalore.
Being a run-and-gun photographer, I prefer the convenience and mobility of using mobile phones to capture close-up shots of people or general scenes. While even in street photography, it’s important to be selective and focus on framing and composition, finding the time to pause and take pictures can be a luxury in a busy lifestyle. Photography for me is not only a hobby but also a goal, and this year, my focus is solely on capturing moments through the lens. Currently, I primarily use my mobile phone or a point-and-shoot camera for my street photography.
When it comes to shooting in the streets at night, using a dedicated camera has significantly enhanced my composition skills. I find myself capturing more landscapes and being more conscious of leading lines and the rule of thirds, especially in vertical shots. However, a crucial consideration when shooting at night is the camera’s performance in high ISO settings and its autofocus capabilities. While I’m still learning manual focus and zone focusing techniques, I rely on auto mode or program/aperture priority mode for quick and efficient capturing of the scene. Adjusting ISO settings should not be a distraction during shooting, so I generally prefer using auto ISO. However, depending on the camera, shooting with low ISO like 100 or even lower may not always be possible at night.
With mobile phones and their fixed focal lengths, my primary focus is on composition. On the other hand, using a point-and-shoot camera with variable focal lengths and zoom capabilities allows me to experiment with more artistic compositions. This versatility gives my photography a new dimension, enabling me to capture the interplay of light and shadow and express my creativity through long exposures.
If your main focus in street photography revolves around capturing everyday scenes in well-lit environments, mobile phones may suffice. However, if you aspire to delve into the interplay of light and shadow, capture artistic scenes, or explore the versatility of your photography (not just limited to street photography), I strongly recommend investing in a dedicated camera.
Over time, I have become more discerning in my approach to street photography. I no longer feel the need to capture everything I see, but rather have developed a sense of what makes a good shot and what I enjoy photographing the most. My photography is evolving, and I find myself relying less on my phone and more on my point-and-shoot camera to capture street scenes. With each step forward in my street photography journey, I gain more confidence and embrace new techniques and equipment.
Finally I can say that over time I have become more conscious of not shooting everything that I see, now I have a sense of what can be a good shot and what I like to shoot. Also my photography is evolving, now I am using less of my phone to photograph and more of point and shoot camera to capture street scenes and gaining more confidence as I proceed further in my street photography journey. In my next blog post, I will delve into the topic of camera choices for street photography. Stay tuned, and happy shooting in the streets!
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