Photography skills of street portraits in low light

Lead: From the beginning of contact photography, I like to record my life with a camera, so the surrounding environment is a natural resource that I can get at my fingertips. It seems ordinary but really natural and realistic, so the idea of shooting this series came into being. Come and have a look!

F/ 1.4 ISO: 320 focal length: 85 mm.

I believe every photographer would like to have his own flash. When the flash leaves the top of the camera, the gameplay changes even more. In the early stage of shooting, the flashlight was an indispensable item for me, but after shooting for a period of time, I began to feel that the more equipment I brought, the more tripods with flashlights, and the equipment props such as reflective umbrellas and reflectors were better than useless when I needed them. However, it took a lot of time in the process of disassembly, not to mention moving to other venues with big bags of equipment, so I began to contact low-light photography. This work is the first time that I have created it in low light, and I will share it with you in three paragraphs.

The first step of low-light photography: where does the light source come from?

After getting used to the light source control of the off-board flash, it is really uncomfortable to eat only the light source at the scene, but as long as you carefully observe where the main light source comes from, the principle is the same as that of the flash fill light, it will come more naturally.

F/ 1.4 ISO: 800 focal length: 50 mm.

It really takes a little courage to shoot in a crowded and bustling downtown, so I chose to shoot from the alley first. There are many street lamps in the alley, so I found one as the main light source, and the other street lamps avoided from the lens angle. The same is true of changing street lamps into flashing lights, and the light source is softer.

F/ 1.4 ISO: 800 focal length: 50 mm.

Encounter two street lamps, just like two off-board flashlights. One of them must be the main light, and that main light is the main light source that complements the model.

F/ 1.4 ISO: 1000 focal length: 50 mm.

The model is illuminated by the light source projected by the store, and the light is naturally soft after diffusion.

F/ 1.4 ISO: 1000 focal length: 50 mm.

There is only one main light source in the parking lot, which is the same as the backlight generated by flashing lights, but it is quite soft because of the diffusivity of the on-site light source.

F/ 1.4 ISO: 1000 focal length: 50 mm.

It is also a street lamp in the alley, but this scene uses the light source of the store's signboard to fill the light. If this light source is composed of flashing lights, I believe most people will believe it.

Allen's warm reminder:

Because shooting at night will produce more noise, ISO will be adjusted according to the environment and light source. This theme is more dominant in large aperture lenses. In addition to easy focusing, it can also improve the shutter speed, and the safety shutter should be kept at 1/60 seconds as far as possible to avoid shaking.

Take a easy shot with the spirit of exploration.

For street shooting, because there is enough time, I like to shoot through exploration, that is to say, walking in the city, unexpected beauty will always make people excited, and such a happy mood will help the shooting process to be more relaxed and interesting.

F/ 1.4 ISO: 800 focal length: 50 mm.

Crossing the road is a common scene of walking on the street, which seems ordinary, but if street shooting can integrate Model into it, the whole work will be revived.

F/ 1.4 ISO: 640 focal length: 50 mm

The lights at night are almost never white, so it's okay to shoot yellow or other colors, so that the street atmosphere at night can change at more levels.

F/ 1.4 ISO: 400 focal length: 50 mm.

Department stores are striking large buildings in downtown areas. If it can be used as a background, readers will feel more intimate when watching and reading.

F/ 1.4 ISO: 320 focal length: 85 mm.

On both sides of the shop, there are a dazzling array of goods and people watching the purchase. This kind of life scene is very natural, and I usually take pictures.

F/ 1.4 ISO: 320 focal length: 50 mm.

It was taken in the street. The process will not be filmed because of external shooting. Most of the time, we talk and play while walking. Only when we are very relaxed can we capture the natural expressions and actions at that moment by pressing the button.

F/ 1.4 ISO: 500 focal length: 85mm

For the food stalls and the seemingly messy environment around them, there are all kinds of items closely related to people's lives, which are especially loved by individuals. So Model just stands in the same place and drinks, and still shows the natural features of the street.

Make good use of the natural environment to shape the present atmosphere.

There are surprises everywhere, which is also a fun place for street shooting, because every time you shuttle through a street, you will see different scenes, including buildings, landmarks, crowds and light sources. If the Model can be integrated into it, the atmosphere of the whole photo will definitely improve a lot.

F/ 1.4 ISO: 800 focal length: 50 mm.

Some shops will be decorated in a fashionable or fun way. You can put the model into the picture along this decoration. At this time, you only need to read a book and look up to become a scene in life.

F/4 0.8s ISO: 100 focal length: 50mm

At the intersection, the traffic volume and crowds can also be used, just slow down the shutter, and the traffic volume can be set according to personal preferences.

F/ 1.4 ISO: 500 focal length: 50 mm.

With a row of bus stops and taxis as the background, readers can feel the bustling scene of the bustling East District.

F/ 1.4 ISO: 500 focal length: 50 mm.

Compared with the previous pictures, this scene has no colorful background, which makes people feel much quieter, but because the people in the picture have their own things to do, the model naturally blends in with the environment.

F/ 1.4 ISO: 1000 focal length: 85 mm.

Although the light source of this scene is messy, the overall tone is still comfortable, because it is special, so it stands out.

F/ 1.4 ISO: 1000 focal length: 85 mm.

When everything in front of us becomes a color block, the zebra crossing and the arrow on the ground will become a focus, which will play a role in guiding vision and can also be used to decorate the richness of the picture.

F/ 1.8 ISO: 1600 focal length: 24 mm.

When I came to the coffee shop, the decorative furniture here had a unique flavor, and the furnishings were carefully designed and cleverly thought out. I let Model sit on the ground and read a book, showing a natural and casual side.

F/ 1.4 ISO: 200 focal length: 50 mm

When the model is on the phone or doing other things, this is the best time to capture the natural appearance.

F/ 1.4 ISO: 3200 focal length: 50 mm.

When I finally left the store, I wanted to take pictures of what I was waiting for in the middle of the night, so I let Model sit on a small bench and play with his mobile phone. The natural light around me made this scene even more touching.