Street Photography on Cloudy Days (flat light + longer focal lengths)
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On a recent trip down to London I knew we were likely to have cloudy days with flat winter light so I gave myself the challenge of photographing the streets with an 85mm lens to use the depth of field to separate out my subjects. This is what I learned.
#cloudydays #streetphotography #85mm
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I so often come to Sean Tucker's TH-cam channel to get new inspiration. Works almost every time. Thank you for your great work. ❤
The more you shoot the better you get, the better you get the more you shoot! I try and shoot everyday, because there is always something to shoot!
As someone who mostly shoots in moody weather, I appreciated this video a lot.
Just have to say it to you, Sean,
Aside from the great technique that you have while you're capturing a moment; your storytelling is even better.
Loved the video.
Thanks my friend.
What a privilege to watch such brilliantly made educational content.
Wonderful advice. I live in Vancouver Canada and our weather is pretty dreary too in the winter and this gives me an option to still get out and shoot.
Great discussion - so wonderful to hear someone talk about photography rather than gear. I live in a place with a great many overcast days and this really rings true to me.
This is why the Nikon Z5 is so good in that the monitor is tilt only. No flippy screens, please! Same with the Lumix GX-9, a wonderful tilt only screen.
I tend to stick with my Voigtlander 40mm f1.2 as I quite like the simple one lens approach and I'm in no way a street photography purist. I do sometimes use it to get separation when dealing with flat light and I personally don't get on with longer focal lengths for street photos. It's always fascinating hearing how other photographers approach street photography, their style and lens choices and how they overcome the challenges of shooting in uncontrollable natural light.
Do you do the zone focusing thing? I have one of those lenses too but manual focusing is rough lol. As an aside, do you ever move the focus ring and not have focus magnification kick in? I feel like that happens sometimes on mine
@@mrcojocaru Yes, I zone focus and shoot a lot of street photography around f8-f16. I sometimes experiment with wider apertures but not really on any fast moving subjects. I have the auto focus magnification turned off and just assigned magnification to the C2 button on my A7III.
Excellent explanation of the benefits of a longer focal length. When I was shooting film for newspapers my three lenses were 28mm, 50mm and 85mm.
The lower angle with the LCD is definitely less “aggressive”, since people are more likely to look at your face rather than what you’re doing with your hands. I think people also assume that someone holding a camera away from their body is possibly capturing video with a wider angle. They may assume they’re in the shot but not the focus of it, so they’re more relaxed. The screen is a tool and it baffles me that some photographers still claim there to only be one way to get a shot. I learned that from your video about gatekeepers. 😊
I tend to like to use a longer lens (50-85) for my street anyway, so I totally resonate with this approach for when it’s grey out.
Agree totally about using the screen, so handy
This sounds pretty similar to the Seattle weather I’m used to. Thanks for the tips!
Great video as always ! Im so in love with the last picture (from thumbnail as well) , that lady is gorgeous
So many valuable insights in this video. Just this morning I was shooting street in my neighborhood and my only camera is a very obvious DSLR, so people get nervous when I get too close. They think I'm a city inspector. That viewscreen idea should really help put people at ease. I also live in Cleveland OH, where it's extremely cloudy in the winter. This video was made for me!
Sean, the bird on the shoulder shot is KILLER!!
Cheers mate
So interesting! I've always wanted to shoot at hip level and actually loved that most about the Sony a7c, because it allowed just that. It completely changed my photography. Thank you, as always, for the insightful inspiration.
Another great video, Sean! I’ve been enjoying my copy of Parable.
Great direction Sean, I have that 85mm 1.8 but don’t use it enough. After buying the Leica Q3 on it lunch and feeling that I must use it all the time because of the out lay. Your words have made me motivated to pick the Sony up more, thank you.
Great tips. You are very clear and sensible.
This video really gave me a new perspective on photographic possibilities on gray weather days. Thank you very much for your constructive inspiration in all your videos. :-)
Really good points. I barely use my 85 and I'll def have to use it how you suggested here.
Yay slideshow is back! I like the pigeon on the guy!
I'm on exactly the same gear with sony, love it!
Just as you said it I was thinking the confrontation of using the view finder. If you use the view finder it comes across you are taking a picture of the person and they can feel this, but if you use the screen it seems you are taking a picture they happen to be in
This was the kick in the pants I was needing. It is grey and flat here in Iowa many days in Winter too. I don’t have the Sony 85 but do have the Sony 90. Thanks!
So many Great tips, I hope all who read this comment understand how much you can learn from this guy. Thank you Sean.
Dear Sean,
As much as I like the spirit you have and how genuinely you share your experiences of your photographic journey, especially challenges you had and still encounter in your growth, as well as encouraging and supporting the growth of other photographers I don't think a mid telephoto-lens can somehow have a special bearing on flat light or any other qualities of light. What is true though is that photographers who have been relying on light and shadow to build their images find themselves feeling like orphans when "flat light season" is open and feel lost somehow whereas the rich texture of life is still very present. While it may be frustrating not to feel inspired there is still much to learn about light itself and in staying attuned to the immediate environment one starts to actually see what texture, which subjects, colors are vividly responding to the so-called "flat light". And if anything, one will realize also that light measure is made really easy under this particular light condition which allows to focus more on your frame. And this is true once again with any focal lens one would or could use. I used to hate it during Winter season and probably during Fall season when I got started and not understanding where all this was coming from and a big part of it was coming from the lack of understanding HOW light WORKS in such seasons. The telephoto is not gonna teach you how to appreciate the light but deep observation will and it will widen the scope of your photographic vocabulary.These are my two cents. Thank you for another nice video Sean.
Great video!
Thanks for the motivation I need in the winter....and yes! Sometimes the 85mm is the best choice for street photography! Greetings from cloudy Vienna. Christian
Great stuff Sean. This is very timely for me as I recently purchased an 85mm to compliment my 35mm. My only other lens is a 24-70mm. I'm looking at used 50mm lenses to replace the 24-70 on my travels. This video has helped me to view the use of these focal lengths in a different way. For that, I am appreciative. Keep up the good work. I always look forward to your videos.
Hope your healing well and you continue this journey
Excellent stuff. I have the budget version of your setup - GX9, 15mm f1.7, 25mm f1.4 and 42.5mm f1.7. The 42.5 is the least used but will try and use it more after watching this.
Fantastic. Love your vids and work. Thank you.
Thank you for this video! Some good suggestions to noodle on ❤
Great discussion of technique for cloudy days. I'm now living in a much grayer area. The many tips and affordable equipment recommendations are very helpful. Thank you!
Really enjoyed your video. I just spent a month in France, Switzerland and London with an r7v. I took 20,35,55 and 85, the last identical to your kit! On the street I always walked with one on the camera and one in a bag. I found favorite to be the 85! Just like you I ended up with perhaps what I would call street portraits. Then again, one my absolute favorites (two elderly women) 8:10 came from the 20mm when I was planning on some mountain scenic photos.
Despite being an old traditionalist I use the screen a lot. Totally agree with you that it’s not for everyone to build a look based on one lens. It’s not for me anyway.
Fabulous video as always, this was a straightforward no nonsense approach to street, very I formative
I feel like the companion approach to this is the other end of the spectrum: graphical composition. Pushing contrast in the body to aid shape welding to compose according to illustrative guidelines and graphic design standards.
I used the A7c with 35/2.8 Zeiss and 85/1.8 FE pretty much from it's release. It's a brilliant street camera. The LCD medium format impression where you fold it out flat for landscapes is a massively underutilized tool. In general for modern street shooting taking advantage of autofocus it's essentially the ideal body.
I've been on the Leica Q 116 for a while now due to the dual AF + proper zone/range focus lens. But i suspect that A7C + Techart LM-EA9 + Leica M lenses may be the ultimate version of that same utility.
Great topic, especially for here in the UK.
Agreed. Don't think I have ever heard an artist/photographer recommend different focal lengths based on given environmental lighting - but it makes sense. Thanks for sharing!
Sean, I truly enjoy your photography and your videos. I like how you explain why and how you do things. I’m heading to Truro, Falmouth, and then Newquay (my family history is here Joseph Antonio Emidy to be exact). I’ve never traveled to England, so I’m excited. I’m bringing my Sony A7R V, a 55mm, 85mm and that’s it. Not sure how the street photography is in these places, but I’m gonna give it my best.
Good luck.
Wow, inspiring stuff Sean.I tend to stay away from photography if the light don't suit.
That will change from now on....cheers!
Another brilliant gem! This is simply the most eleganty minimalist highly useful and inspirational TH-cam channel of the millions in existence. Keep up doing what you do. (BTW, looks like London was deserted when you were there0
Thank you! Not enough people showing how to use 85 in street. I also prefer it because it’s less confrontational than a 50 or 28 especially… and I believe if you have a sony/nikon/canon, you have a huge advantage with auto af tools so you don’t need to use the evf
When I first started to follow you, I pushed back on your insistence on wide-angle for street photography. I tried it and was never happy with my results. Now, I see you've become more "flexible" with focal lengths and I so totally agree. I don't agree with the idea that a smaller camera makes a significant difference on the street. A Sony C vs. a Sony A is not that much different and will not be noticed any less by the subject in front of your camera. You holding a camera with a small lens is not any less visible. I do like your idea of shooting low and perhaps, your looking at your subject rather than looking at the camera will draw the subject's attention away from the camera. But then, it can be hard to compose if you're not looking at the screen.
Thanks for a great and through provoking video.
I have been loosing inspiration precisely because of the bad weather these days. I never thought about the 85mm tip, I am going to try that. It makes sense and I already feel inspiration coming back. Thanks a lot!
These images evoke thoughtful contemplation and are simultaneously stunning. I adore them.
I like your tip to use the screen and hold your camera lower. Some nice images as usual. Thanks, Sean.
Learned so much just 3 mins and 29 seconds into this video.
Those shots look so thought provoking and amazing at the same time. Love it
very good advices...weather will stay grim for some time...times to take my 50mm for some walks....
I have that same 85mm, it doesn't get as much use as it should, but when it does it always gives me nice images. Lovely lens. After watching this video, I'll be taking it out a lot more. Thanks Sean.
Thanks for your insights and directions.
Thanks for the support!
Thank you for this video.
This is a timely video. I live in Seattle. We have entered the gloom season. We too have a lot of overcast skies and heavy lead gray days. Lots of flat lighting plus rain. Lots and lots of rain. With the loss of color and flat light I choose high contrast B&W. I also underexpose by about -2/3 of a stop.
Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)
A good use of over cast cloudy days. we need this in Auckland
Thank you, Sean. Fabulous video, very practical. Much appreciated. ❤🎉😅
Cheers Sean, Love the discussion. Thanks.
Thank you for making this. It was very interesting.
Always learn something new from your videos. Looking forward to continuing to learn as you generate additional videos. Merry Christmas!
Beautifully made and impactful message. Thanks Sean
Great video Shaun, 85mm is a great focal length. I use the sigma 85 on the a7c and it’s super sharp.
Great as always Sean. If you'd like an even smaller/lighter 35mm the Zeiss F2.8 is a great option and dirt cheap second hand
Thanks for the tip.
Very interesting Sean, thanks buddy
Great idea, and great images. It's a refreshing challenge to use a different focal length, or use only one focal length for a period of time.
Great video Sean, I really enjoyed that. I’ve just ordered volume 2 of Parable and look forward to another purchase in January. x
Enjoy it!
Love this! Thank you so much for sharing.
My FE 85mm f1.8 is still my very favourite lens. I mostly use my 200-600 for wildlife nowadays but every time I get the opportunity I strap on the 85 and always love the images I get. Great video as always.
Another incredible video low angle is always a perfect way to catch your subject, and didnt realise but I was subconsciously using my 90mm on flat light days more often and my 24-70 and brighter days, thank you Sean for your knowledge and wisdom😌
Beautiful set of images at the end 👌
Thank you for sharing your journey. I have a comparable travel setup based on the Olympus Pen F with three f1.8-primes translating to the same focal lengths. Now I’m really excited to go try using the angulating screen the way you suggested. 🙏
My favorite "flat light" lens for my Fujifilm X-T3 tends to be my Industar 50-2 50mm F/3.5 vintage lens. Not the fastest, and manual focus only, but I love the way that old glass renders flat-lit black and white scenes.
Yes I agree. I like to use my Nikon 55mm f3.5 on my XT3.
Lovely photos you made!
Thanks Sean from Ottawa Canada.
Food for a lot of thought! I’ll have to try my 105 Nikon macro lens - the closest thing I have to an 85.
Sean, I enjoy your instruction as you explain your photographs. Your honesty about mistakes is a helpful challenge to photographers to ask themselves what kind of images do they want to capture and to work at making it happen.
Thanks my friend.
I understand the desire to be consistent and have a look of your own, however it think it's more important to just be yourself whatever lens or gear you use. I feel confident you can take a well composed shot that has something interesting to say and then edit it well...no matter what camera or lens you use.
like you, my favorite lens is my Fuji 35 1.4 (similar to your ff 55mm). I love the way it looks and feels. but when I have my other lenses sometimes I'm very pleased with images I get and I think it has to do with my vision and what I saw when capturing it. plus my edits tend to be a personal taste that ends up somewhat "my" style and thus consistent to some degree...
anyhow, love your content and seeing you use different lenses. I'd love more videos on your actual outings and how you use the gear in the field in real time... :)
Just another great great video.... Thanks
Nice well put-together video! You've found a way for audiences to appreciate the scenery and stick around!
Working with a 75 lux wide open at a overcast wedding/baptism worked very nicely. Same thing. Telling details.
35mm f1.8 and 85mm f1.8 Best Combo
Another great chapter in my "Sean Tucker - How to take better images" collection.
I will definitely be trying out using a longer focal length next time I'm out on a grey London day
Most important photography/life information in YT.
Question: are you using single point light metering when you are focusing on subjects in the light and “crushing” the shadows? I understand that you have a very specific editing style that maximizes your technique and desired outcome. I am having a difficult time getting the intense definition of the shadows that you get. You work is amazing to me.
Excellent video, cheers Sean. I shoot eye-line or lower. Status of the viewer is dictated by the angle of the camera and it changes the energy of a portrait. I shoot gigs with a 35 and an 85. Clients love the shots.
This man helped me more than anyone in the beginning of my photography journey. BTW one dreary, flat day I took my Voigtlander 110 into Boston, Massachusetts. It really was an adventure. Sean is so right. And hadn’t thought of the ‘flip screen’ that way, but the point is incredibly well-taken regarding eye lines, etc. Lastly, though, I’ve been told that all of CHINATOWN was shot 40MM. So don’t feel too bad about sticking to one focal length. And like another comment - the Voigtlander 40 f1.2 is one of my faves, too. Thank you.
My ‘Street’ Camera Bag contains a Fujifilm X-Pro 3 and three lenses:
A 40mm equivalent f2.8, a 50mm eq f1.8 and a 75mm eq f1.2 because they fit into a small shoulder bag and it takes me an hour to get to London or Cambridge so I don’t want to miss a shot, when I have made the effort to get there!
Oh and I just ordered Parable 1 & 2 in hard copy!
Enjoy!
Sean, this was a real eye opener to me. Over the course of 2023, I started to legitimately hate 85mm and longer focal lengths, and started only using them when I had to get more reach for practical reasons (at events and weddings). I don’t like the silly compression and cheap beginner-esque "trick" of shooting whatever with crazy background separation and thinking that that makes for a good photo. Also, I much prefer using the EVF over the screen, but that lower perspective works SOOOO well for me in your photos.
Some of the examples you showed here really blew my mind. Especially the lady at the traffic light with a cigarette.
Finally, one question: Did you use some kind of diffusion filter or what is it that makes for that glowy effect in the three photos of the cigarette lady?
Yup, I often use a 1/4 pro mist if I'm backlighting subjects or shooting at night.
@@seantuckThanks! :)
Another great Tube Alex. Thanks again. This quote you read about the fact that it's not what you photograph but how you render the subject is so damn true. I think you and what you put out there initiated that change in me as a photographer and now I find myself never (rarely) running out of subjects. Sometimes I'm trying to hard to look so I can't see properly and sometimes subjects are just jumping from everywhere. I guess this too is a work in progress for me. Keep it up. You're a great source of inspiration.
Really nice tips. Thanks!
Thanks, Sean. Always appreciate hearing your perspective. As I get older, my introversion seems to be getting stronger, lol, and I confess I still prefer longer focal lengths. But also, not to talk too badly about my hometown, but the character and history you have in the UK and Europe just isn't there. So, longer focal lengths help with this aspect. On my XT-3, I like to use the 35 1.4, and even the 90 f2. I also have the X100V, and I am challenging myself to get out there with just that camera, but it's hard to do. I keep thinking I'll take just this camera on a trip, but I'm not sure I can muster the courage! Looking forward to the next Parable. When will we see a new collection?? 🙂
I started to shoot 70mm (APC DSLR with a 45mm f1.8 Tamron lens) from the hip in portrait mode for the first time a few days ago. I missed a lot but those Ive captured are amazing. It’s a bit frustrating starting out but no one knows so I get authenticity, a great angle and the DSLR isn’t as ‘intimidating’ as it might be shooting through the viewfinder. I want to see what I can get on a faster DSLR…The Nikon D500 will be interesting with it’s 10 fps as previously I was using an old D300 at 4 fps.
I love the Vivian Maier analogy talking about using the screen. I do that a lot.. and I felt like cheating a bit as i love to shoot from the viewfinder. Now i feel reassured 😂. Also i love to get inspired by the classic photographers so i feel even more reassured that by using the screen and a lower angle i am getting closer to classic phenomenon like Vivian 😊
Thanks for this video.
I just watched a video by Mike Chudley provocatively arguing that 85mm is somehow 'cheating' as photos rely on the technical quality of long focal length + shallow depth of field rather than the artistic quality of a strong subject + composition. This made me think about this video of yours + your What makes a Great Street Photograph video. Do you think a 'four layer, stuff of legacy' photo is possible at 85mm? If so, can you think of any examples? Love your videos, thanks again for enriching the photography community online.
Thats exactly my kit for everything ( wedding and travel ) although I also have the Sony 24 f2.8. That Zeiss 55 1.8 is so underrated yet on DXO it scores incredibly high !
Had some of my best results using the flip screen on my Nikon D750. People seem to think I'm fiddling with the settings and tend to take no notice. Great watch as always Sean.
I have to admit I had never considered the idea of focal length consistency, I have lenses that cover 8mm to 600mm 🤪but 50mm is my favourite.
Boy, back in my street photo period many years ago, I loved cloudy days; light cloud cover best of all; so long as the clouds weren't too dark. Like shooting under a giant softbox. But I shot exclusively in black and white, so that may make a difference. All I know, is I didn't much enjoy full sun and the harsh contrast, which made darkroom printing much more challenging.
Ohhh snap. Fingers crossed this means your church photos in Parable 🤞🏻
Watch this space:)
Sean you should also check Zeiss 35mm 2,8. It’s just perfect for A7c.
Good tip, thanks.
I have these exact lenses! (plus the 18mm f/2.8 Samyang, plus the 65mm Voigtlander for macro). Couldn't have been happier. You take a hit with the Sony trio when it comes to absolute perfection image-wise, but you gain in portability and usability. Having said that, the next lens I'm buying is the 135mm f/1.8 Sony GM...
I would like to see you Sean experimenting with different focal lengths. I am trying to imagine, what type of pictures would Sean have created had he used a 100-400mm zoom? Or a fisheye lens? That'd be lovely to see and I'm wondering if this type of mentality, experimenting with focal lengths could lead us to new realizations, new ways to see and use our more used lenses. Best wishes, and thank you for all your fabulous work.
Thanks mate. I generally stick between that 'normal' focal range of 35-85 because I don't enjoy the distortion outside of it, but it could be a fun experiement.
I am surprised that you don't carry a ultrawide angle lens. I just bought a Sony 11mm f1.8 (crop) and its a very good performer lens on the budget. Well I use it on an a7IV so I loose some resolution but its still gives good results. I also have your 85 1.8 and its indeed an amazing lens for the price.
I guess it's down ot personal preference. I'm not really a fan of the distortion from anything wider than a 35mm. The 85mm is great value.
Excellent images