Street Photography on Cloudy Days (flat light + longer focal lengths) 

I so often come to Sean Tucker's RU-vid 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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

Sean, the bird on the shoulder shot is KILLER!!

Those shots look so thought provoking and amazing at the same time. Love it

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.

These images evoke thoughtful contemplation and are simultaneously stunning. I adore them.

Learned so much just 3 mins and 29 seconds into this video.

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.

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!

This sounds pretty similar to the Seattle weather I’m used to. Thanks for the tips!

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.

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😌

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. :-)

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.

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

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.

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

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.

Fabulous video as always, this was a straightforward no nonsense approach to street, very I formative

Wow, inspiring stuff Sean.I tend to stay away from photography if the light don't suit. That will change from now on....cheers!

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

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!

So many Great tips, I hope all who read this comment understand how much you can learn from this guy. Thank you Sean.

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.

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

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.

Thank you, Sean. Fabulous video, very practical. Much appreciated. ❤🎉😅

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!

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.

A good use of over cast cloudy days. we need this in Auckland

Really good points. I barely use my 85 and I'll def have to use it how you suggested here.

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.

35mm f1.8 and 85mm f1.8 Best Combo

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.

Nice well put-together video! You've found a way for audiences to appreciate the scenery and stick around!

I like your tip to use the screen and hold your camera lower. Some nice images as usual. Thanks, Sean.

Beautiful set of images at the end 👌

I'm on exactly the same gear with sony, love it!

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

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. 🙏

Thank you for this video! Some good suggestions to noodle on ❤

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.

Sean, you’re a mentor, even for an experienced older photographer. I’m shooting with a GRiiix and (now after every A7r version made) with a Sony A7CR with any one of my Zeiss, Voigtlander, Sigma or Sony lenses. Your choice of lens demographics matches mine and capturing images on cloudy days is a mainstay living here in the Pacific Northwest USA. A welcomed challenge.

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)

I can't help but notice how many times you have to stress "Don't worry about THIS or THAT" do people really worry that much about things like consistent focal lengths, or only using viewfinder? Why do people want to put such ridiculous restrictions on themselves? Just seems dumb to me, I bumped into a camera club outing once, it was cult like haha. SO MANY RULES and odd opinions about brands of gear etc. Photography isn't a religion where if you only shoot through a Nikon viewfinder you get 72 lenses when you die. 🤣🤣

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!

Thanks for this video.

Great tips. You are very clear and sensible.

Food for a lot of thought! I’ll have to try my 105 Nikon macro lens - the closest thing I have to an 85.

Thank you for making this. It was very interesting.

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.

Cheers Sean, Love the discussion. Thanks.

Excellent images

Love this! Thank you so much for sharing.

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.

vrey nice images!!!

Thanks!

Just another great great video.... 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?? 🙂

Really nice tips. Thanks!

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.

Ohhh snap. Fingers crossed this means your church photos in Parable 🤞🏻

very good advices...weather will stay grim for some time...times to take my 50mm for some walks....

Storytelling from the POV of a photojournalist… one long zoom 70-200 2.8 and one wide angle zoom 16-35… every job (newspaper/wire service) I worked. Being able to shoot details, portraits, and place is important to achieve a full visual narrative in news media/documentary

I usually use Yashica ml 35-70mm on 5:11 my Contax 139q and usually Kodak ultramax 😂400 or Yashica MAT 124

I used to make portraits with the Minolta 100 2.8 macro but switched it for the Minolta's 85 f1.4. G and 50mm 1.4. The 85mm 1.4 is as good as any other lens ever made, including Zeiss ánd very affordable.

Sean you should also check Zeiss 35mm 2,8. It’s just perfect for A7c.

Very interesting Sean, thanks buddy

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 !

Good show Sean

Whatever works 📷👍

I never used the screen before while shooting, always the viewfinder until I got a camera with tiltable screen (is that what it's called in english). I Do enjoy using it for shooting at low angles, so much fun. As you said in the video, people kind of doesn't notice you when using the screen. I was recently out shooting in the early morning during a small blizard here and the shots i got using the screen, some of my best this year :D

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 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.

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.

I’d be interested to see what you could do with the tele-lens converter on the GRIIIx. I believe it makes the GR around 75mm. Although having a lens attachment might defeat the purpose for you of having the GR. Good point with the LCD screen and shooting at the waist. Street photographers have shot from the waist for a long time using zone focusing and prayer. 😅 Unrelated, I hope nobody unleashes their snobbery on you for calling the EVF of your Sony a rangefinder. We all knew what you meant, okay.

Julia Trotti talked about her preference for using the screen rather than the EVF.

Interestingly, many people complained about the Fuji screen that allows you to use those two positions, on the xpro 2 and xpro 3.

Sean do gou by any chance follow in Steve Jobs' thinking of wearing only black tshirt and jeans? Is that a conscious choice or just anhaooy coincidence that we see you mostly in the same attire in these videos? If its by choice, would you elaborate on the reasons?

What do you use to edit in these conditions? Lightroom or Photoshop?

What is that leather case for gr?

Since i am in a wheelchair all my life, all my shots are taken from "body level", compared to "normal people". I get what you mean when taking pictures of people, but it's also kinda annoying for "other things" since the world tends to be built for people standing upright. :P

Comparing a 85mm to a Vivian style with a 40mm is something different … with a Tele I would never shoot hip. The people just looks bad and the background is not nice to look mostly. Sure there are 1-2 shots the maybe work but for myself everything till 40 I can use hip and everything above I use my eyes on the vf

With regards the South African wedding photographer making his couples look slightly heroic reminds me of when Margaret Thatcher became the first female leader of a parliamentary party. Her PR managers were concerned about her appearing weak, being a woman (different times). Their solution was to have the camera for party political broadcasts lower than eye level to give her a more imposing look and the blue background was a dark shade of blue. When she got the tag 'Iron Lady' the worry was she appeared too overbearing so the camera was raised above eye level to make her look less threatening and the background was changed to a lighter blue as she spoke of how the NHS was deeply important to her. Yes indeed!

Do you stick to a consistent shutter speed and ISO when you go out?

I dont get what people have with dull days ? Im always shooting in cloudy days, but I develop my films for that

1:20 „…we've got lead skies and overcast [..] and that kind of lighting just leech all the colour out of it and kills the contrast” - many years I used to think like this until I found out, it's not true anymore when using the modern gear (like your capable Sony, for example). If shooting RAW you can process the picture any way you want - when JPEG you may want to select „vivid colours” scheme and add some more to „contrast” and „sharpen” options. Shooting during an overcast is actually (technically) easier than on sunny day, since exposure meter is more accurate, not having to handle strong cotrasts - and of course it's a lot easier work for the sensor of your camera. That „big softbox” high above your head is your friend!

FYI: Lightroom and PS - new “Lens Blur” feature lets you automatically blur the background in PP, choose how much of the BG, and even choose the kind of bokeh you want to use. It’s so good it arguably eliminates the need for using long lenses for DOF.

Good point but in Germany it's not allowed to shoot random persons especially with an 85mil. If the person is main subject, it's violating rights. When the light is dull I stay wider but choose another technique. Longer exposure for people getting motion blurred and subject isolated in a static scenery. Their personal rights stay untouched this way.

Like you, I love bright, high-contrast days. And yet - and I travel down to London from the North, Sheffield, for work and to see my parents - on grey days, in the capital, I still find plenty of street photography. More, sometimes because I have to work a little harder, and think a little deeper to get the shots I am looking for. It is a challenge, no doubt, but I am far, far away from being a fair-weather street photographer. I find myself seeing more in people, more character and more in tune with their surroundings and the daily routine of their lives. It is like I have stopped 'chasing the light' and pay more attention to people. I still dial the light in where I can. There is a part of me that enjoys the flat grey light of these months. I find my approach to street photography more acute, and more aware. I am, to not make too much of a play on words out of it, less dazzled by shadow and light and more aware of the street.

I think purists on genre or technique miss the point about being out with a camera, it's to be out with your camera and to use it. The details are not very relevant of how one gets the photo when others see it. I doubt I would ask how another got the shot unless there was a technical reason I wanted to know.

Too many gatekeepers in "street" photography.

Thanks!

If you want flat light come to Liverpool and bring your 85 or I could come to you. Shoot something a little different.

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.