I think one of the things I love about the Lights of Night is the storytelling it affords. There is something about looking at a building with the lights on inside that sparks my interest. Are the doors and windows open, inviting me in? Or are they closed, keeping me out? Who are the people around? And, as a photographer, I’m a bit more invisible. People don’t notice me taking photos at night, from the shadows.
This streetcorner shot from San Francisco is a great example of a story waiting to be told. There is the store, inviting you to stop in on the way home, and yet the the business man hurries right by. What story do you tell, from this image?
Handheld, ISO400, 45mm, f/4.0, 1/40
Shot during the blue hour, there was enough light from the store and the sky that I didn’t even have to change to my 35mm “night lens” to shoot this handheld. The slower shutter speed needed to get the exposure actually helps with the impression of the man hurrying home.
The blue hour is a great time to try your hand at night photography if you don’t want to haul around the tripod. Have you tried it yet?
I’m enjoying all your Lights of Night photography, Kat! I’ve been trying out a few things, but not very impressed with the results so far! I have also been doing a few candle shots, trying to focus on an object to get the bokeh! I managed one little one that I put as the last photo on my last blog entry, but it’s not really quite what I want to achieve yet!
It’s very helpful when you put your settings! I do enjoy the story-telling in the captures like the one above!
It takes some practice. Keep at it!
A very evocative shot…love this type of photography.
Kat, you’re inspiring me to get out there……it has to be tonight, as the rains arrive tomorrow. Love your peek into the deli.
Awesome! Can’t wait to see your new neighborhood.
I think night photography is becoming my new obsession. We may be getting snow in the next couple days, too, and that makes night images even more challenging.
The image of that deli is the kind I love. It’s not holiday stuff, but warm light in the midst of darkness. Everyday light, as I like to think of it.