Street Photography at Night (Exposure, filters, colours and safety)

[@kbstabs5982]

Great video, Sean. Thanks for your many contributions this year. All the best.

[@robgutkowski7141]

Night time is my favorite time to be out and about with a camera. Great tip about the wet streets and other reflective surfaces.

[@MusicJunky3]

Rain is such a wonderful asset in night photography ! The reflections , the added light and as added bonus your clothes dry automatically ! And you can sleep safely tonight as I just ordered a Tiffen filter ! Rests me to say 'Thank you ' for all that you did this year !

[@davidgates3044]

Another great video Sean. Thanks for talking about personal safety. It’s too often ignored in vids about street photography

[@debbiemowry2591]

Yeah, I want to go out and do some night street photography but as a single woman I usually don't because of being a woman with a camera. I'd bore my brother to death to ask him to go with me when I was visiting him and I'm too knew to where I live to having anyone I can ask to go with me.

[@Mark-f3q6x]

I'm always enthralled at how you create images Sean, the videos you create really inspire. Thank you.

[@RohannvanRensburg]

As always, your ability to not only present it in a creatively inspiring and artful manner but to teach it effectively shines through. Lots of videos on street photography, but few as insightful and actionable.

[@seantuck]

That's very kind:)

[@RohannvanRensburg]

@@seantuck By "it" I mean this topic, of course. Late night :) Thanks for continuing to do what you do!

[@ThePhotographyHobbyist]

10:15 Honestly, that's what keeps me from walking around at night, even though I know I could get some great shots. Shame that we live in a world where some people have no respect for other people or their property, but that's how it is.

[@caelestis5]

I look more dodgy than those people who would try to do something to me, so Im fine 😅

[@ThePhotographyHobbyist]

@ maybe that’s the answer (I need a disguise 😅)

[@HighRollersLounge]

Sorry, but this is just an excuse for being lazy

[@ThePhotographyHobbyist]

@ I have to drive to get to a city to shoot anyway. If being hesitant to drive to the city at night just to make photos makes me lazy, so be it. I already have a great paying job and photography is just a hobby for me, so it doesn’t really matter since I’m just shooting for personal reasons.

[@Dakiel89]

I'm with you on that one, when i went to japan, it was an absolute delight to shoot in the night mainly because of the safety. Now coming back to latin america, never, and i mean it, never i'm gonna go out to take pictures without some kind of "insurance" and doesn't matter if it's night or day, and even with that i'm not that safe. Just imagine how is the night.

[@mikrokosmfotos]

I have my two dogs on a hands free leash when I'm out at night with a camera, which is often. They alert me when there's someone around, and they only occasionally get in the way!! 😊

[@debbiemowry2591]

That's a good idea but I'm at least few years away from that if it ever happens. My dog would alert me but she would also pull to get away from any area that had too many people. I rescued her and she had been abused so she's afraid of pretty much anyone she doesn't know. I got a hands free leash with the intention of breaking her in to going with me while out with the camera but in the beginning it would have to be where we're unlikely to run into anyone.

[@mikrokosmfotos]

@@debbiemowry2591 The bigger of my two will nudge me in the leg with his nose if he sees or hears someone coming our way. They'll only bark if things get rowdy, otherwise they'll just watch to see if they are going to get a pat!! 🐾

[@mikrokosmfotos]

@@debbiemowry2591 I hope it works out for you both - it certainly does for me and my two hounds.

[@MrRGBTV]

Thanks for a spectacular year of videos, Sean. Always appreciate your content and getting us to push our own boundaries.

[@tonybarrett7557]

Well, that was lovely to watch and inspirational. Great tip on the mist filter. Fantastic images, moving and still. Thanks Sean.

[@fantini71]

Thank you Sean! This is really a great content, making the challenge of night photography less out of reach!

[@robinbhairam7508]

When I started my photographic journey a few years ago, you were my main ‘go to’ source. I have learnt so much from you, for which I will be forever grateful. I don’t venture onto KZbin for photography so much these days, I’m a little bit like the little kid who has had the ‘training wheels’ removed from his bike in that you and some others (such as Mark Fearnley) have given me the tools and the confidence to go and experiment myself. But every now and then my eye is caught by what I know is going to be a nugget … and with this video you didn’t disappoint. Thanks as always, I hope you had a great Christmas and wish you continued success in 2025. Best wishes … 😊 📷

[@loushared6602]

Thanks

[@seantuck]

Thanks so much for the support!

[@jannengelken6017]

Dear Sean, thank you for the many interesting videos. It was and still is a small inspiring oasis in all the monotony here on youtube. And it was a great experience to see you live in Hamburg at the lecture! Please stay as you are and have a wonderful holiday season. Take care, Jann

[@seantuck]

Thanks for coming out in Hamburg. Good to meet you too.

[@docwou]

Thank you very much, Sean, for another great video. As all of your videos this one is very inspiring! Also enjoyed the video quality, the colors and the grading. Do you have more information on how the filming and grading was done?

[@sharonloudon9678]

Wishing you all the best in the new year, Sean. I just want to say again how much I appreciate your videos. It is so rare to find quiet, slow, thoughtful and useful content online. Your work stands out in so many ways - Just thank you.

[@rickbiessman6084]

3:54 Can I add two things? With good IBIS, you may be able to get away with much slower shutter speeds. With my A7C II, I can shoot a 35mm lens and get sharp (enough) images handheld with exposures as ridiculously long as 1 second. I haven’t checked if there’s any softness that would go away with shooting the same image on a tripod and without IBIS, but for me, this works more than well enough. And since so many cameras these days have dual native ISO, it’s worth finding out what that second native ISO is. On the A7C II it’s 800, which means ISO 3200 should be as clean as ISO 400. That’s crazy to me. Your points about avoiding motion blur when that’s unwanted holds true of course. :) Love that 55mm lens btw!

[@MiscellanyTop]

I say this through gritted teeth but you are right - modern developments have offered amazing stability. I love my camera but, unless my lens has IS, the whole set-up doesn't. And the only f1.8 (or lower) I have is a 50mm - so that's good. But... it is not stabilized nor is my camera body... and my hands are ok but not brilliantly stabilized, either. So bugger! I tend to set very quick shutter speeds and a high ISO, then run any photographs I wish to develop through Topaz Photo AI software to despatch the noise (it does an amazing job). Mind you, I don't want to change cameras because (a) cost but even if I won the lottery, (b) I love my camera body - been using it for eight years now and it is fab, despite its shortcomings, compared with today's bodies. So hey-ho. Cheers. (FYI: I use my Canon APC-DSLR 80D, bought new in 2016, now with over 350,000 shutter actuations -might need a back-up replacement soon!)

[@seantuck]

Great points Rick. Thanks.

[@rickbiessman6084]

@MiscellanyTop I’d say keep shooting that beautiful camera till it breathes its last!!! =) 350,000 shutter actuations is some amazing mileage.

[@MarkGilligan4]

All the very best to you too Sean, thanks for another year of photography and philosophy

[@marcia9278]

Oh my, Sean, I gasped when I saw the results of your nighttime photography. This video was so inspiring and was giving so much tips and things to reflect on. Thank you.

[@Myglowtips]

A very blessed start to 2025, it was so good to attend your presentation here in Vienna and it‘s so good to see you thriving. Looking forward to seeing many more of your adventures.

[@seantuck]

Thanks for coming out:)

[@MladenBozic]

There's something magical in night photos. Great video. I really like it. Thanks

[@photographicamateur]

Thanks for this Inspiration! useful nitty gritty for getting great shots. And as you said stay safe by being situational aware. Finally thanks for sharing your images !

[@benjamindeguzman8509]

You always inspire me whenever I watch your channel. Thank you Sean.

[@michajabroertjes8639]

I loved it when Sean asked "What does blue make me think off" and at that exact moment a police car horn goes off 🤣 I immediately thought of the blue lights police cars have.

[@TommyNordpole]

Shooting in the night its such a Special experience! I do it rarely but I enjoy it each time. Well done Sean! Thank You for your insights and inspiration! 📸👏

[@St_jeanPierre]

Thanks for all your work this year again, and it was nice to meet you this summer in New-York. Looking forward to a new year of learning with you andand I wish you a very Happy Holidays!

[@seantuck]

Good to meet you too. Thanks for coming out in NYC.

[@davidmccullough7977]

Not only good advice but a delight to watch. Thanks Sean.

[@Upnorth_overland]

Great advice! Always be aware of your surroundings and stay strapped!

[@ianwilliamson1891]

Thank you Sean for your work on educating and inspiring us. I hope you have a safe and great new year.

[@marioasciak3465]

TX for all your videos this year. Happy Christmas!

[@AntonRiley]

Thanks Sean. Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.

[@ChristineWilsonPhotography]

Always good to see what your up to Sean , one of my fav YT and photographers I've got digital of your last edition the black and white cover ,highly recommend 😊

[@seantuck]

Thanks for the support.

[@antwilkphotography]

Great video as always Sean and beautiful images

[@adursonate1991]

Thank you for your never ending inspiration, your images are outsanding!

[@JSF_7]

Happy holidays Sean. Huge inspiration!

[@danthegeetarman]

This is the video I REALLY needed to see. As a beginner, I've been struggling trying to get low light pictures without any pure black shadows (trying to have nothing overexposed and nothing underexposed), and finding out that if it's night and I want to expose for the highlights, it was really hard to not have some pure black spots. It's a relief to know that if I'm exposing for the light, then a little pure black in the shadows is okay if that's what I'm going for.

[@ElevatedThreat]

This is one of my favorite videos that you have produced.

[@gregsimmons1709]

Thank you Sean for your constant and meaningful inspiration.

[@snapsbyjuancarlo]

This video puts a smile to my face

[@raimonurmi7203]

Great video, Sean! All the best 🧑‍🎄

[@plannerjohn]

Solid video. Watched it twice. Enjoy the holidays.

[@MiguelACoronaDM]

Happy holidays - best to you and your family.

[@shy-guy5544]

Very interesting and informative video. Do you recommend the Pro Mist filter indoors with artificial lighting? Thanks

[@vanyacrow]

Happy New Year, Sean! I've discovered your channel and photography this year, and it's been an inspiration and a treat. Thanks for sharing!

[@adithompson199]

Love this video Sean. Top advice as always. Have a great Xmas and New Year. I look forward to another great year of photography with you. Thank you.

[@pierrematthieu166]

Always inspiring and informative videos. Thank you for sharing and happy holidays to you as well.

[@dayzpast]

Glad that I came across your channel again, great tips delivered in a straight forward manner, film and music work is on point! Very motivating. 😇

[@jerryhughes4720]

Excellent video full of good advice as always! Really like the idea of a mist filter

[@PeterArnold1969]

Thanks so much for all your inspiring videos this year. Have a lovely Christmas, and I look forward to seeing more videos in the new year.

[@juliangoldswain9772]

I loved your inspirational showcase at the end. Got me planning a night shoot tomorrow already.

[@denisesavage2382]

Great encouragement to get out and give things a go.

[@bristolstreetphotography]

Another very informative video, thank you. I must do more after dark - loved that last image! 🤩

[@henrybobb]

As always great content! I love night photography and I find myself doing pretty much what you suggest. I was thinking to try a black mist filter and now I will for sure. Thanks Sean for being a consistent source of inspiration. ❤

[@whitehorseflyer]

Sean this is superb, so inspirational and informative. So with the wide open lens and manually focusing I imagine you are making a conscious decision of what to focus on and accept the shallow depth of field.

[@seantuck]

Yup, you have to accept a shallow DOF, but I'm only on manual exposure. I definitely use auto focus.

[@whitehorseflyer]

@@seantuck thank you

[@Rastegarian]

Great video, great music, great composing, this is one of your best!

[@johnwaine56]

Excellent video again Sean, thank you. Great tip re the Pro Mist. It would never have occurred to me to use it at night. Happy Christmas!

[@Jerryhomesweethome]

That was very helpfull.. And love this set of images you displayed..

[@simonellis369]

Merry Christmas Sean - keep up the good work - I’m gonna do some night photography 🤟🏻

[@kevinmoore49]

Great video Sean, I'm waiting for a rainy night so i can head in the west end and Soho

[@robertkoch3397]

Happy Holidays! See you next year.

[@susandarby6607]

Thank you for all your tips! Happy New Year :)

[@C.Priesty]

Wonderful video, thank you, Sean! Have a fantastic Christmas and New Year! I am looking forward to more inspirational content in the new year! All the best Chris.

[@DylanMTL]

Another really inspiring and motivating video. Thank you Sean

[@randyschwager84]

Excellent information! This has been very helpful! Thanks for taking me along!

[@sc0ttmagoon]

Thanks for doing the comparison images with the mist filter. I prefer deep blacks in my street photography so at first glance I disliked the filter version. But you made a good point about how images can look “digital”. I may have been thinking about this wrong and you helped me.

[@L.Spencer]

I really liked the feel the filter gave. I hadn't heard of a mist filter before, but now I'm looking to get one and try it out.

[@andye6457]

Happy Holidays to you Sean and a big thank you for all your inspiring work and insights over the year. I really value your tremendous work and dedication to photography and to us out there learning from guys like you. All the very best for the new Year with lots of exciting opportunities and encounters to you. From Switzerland, Andy

[@bimurtyaganguli6442]

As usual a great informative video Sean! Hope you too have an enjoyable holiday. Spend your Christmas and New Year as best as you can. We will meet in the new upcoming year with much more hope, energy and positive outlook. Take care till then!

[@loushared6602]

Great video, Sean. Thank you very much, good tips for my forthcoming trip to Munich. Happy Christmas to you and yours and look forward to more content & the next parable edition next year. Best, Louise

[@seantuck]

Thanks Louise:)

[@sirab3ee198]

I prefer the night; I have been all over Europe, from France to Spain to Romania and have some amazing shots. People say I am a vampire and some of my picture bring Jack the Ripper vibes :).

[@ShahlaAlimirzaie]

🖤🙏

[@1kwords]

So let's see some pictures. As a Romanian, I'm especially interested. Do you have Instagram?

[@sirab3ee198]

@@1kwords salutare barbate .. se pare ca youtube imi sterge comenturile ... sincer nu stiu ce sa fac.. de 3 ori am scris reply

[@thesiths3875]

Fantastic video, really enjoyed this. ✌️

[@wc1937]

Very good stuff here. Either way, I've mostly figured out all of this on my own over the years, so at this point, I just wish this video had been here before!! To add to all that you've said, I would also recommend using exposure compensation while shooting at night. I've found that -1.3 works very well in most night scenes. You can also get away with using a cozy 3.2 aperture on those prime lenses that you've mentioned if you want to capture a fuller scene and maintain some overall sharpness, especially if you're working with a manual focus like me. I also set my ISO cap at 6400 since anything above that will start to get pretty messy. These settings give me a reliable 1/50 - 1/100 shutterspeed in most situations even on AP mode. If not, you can still open up the aperture, but the scene is probably poorly lit to begin with. Also, shooting in screen mode can be very beneficial for nabbing the exact exposure that you want. Pointing the lens away from the light will increase the exposure, which you can then lock in with the exposure lock button before snapping. I've gotten plenty of great shots like that. Highlights and noise can be touched up quite well in Lightroom, too. The "Noise Reduction" tool in the Detail tab is a must for my night shots. I have all of the manual sliders for noise reduction in the 30-50 range except for the contrast one at 7. I find that this gives a good balance between grain and polish. Note that snowy scenes can be even more effective than rainy scenes for bouncing around light. It's also worth it if you live in a cold country. As for the safety thing, it's why I carry my camera in a small black bag, even for shooting during the day, and I shoot entirely without any neckstraps. When I get my shot, the camera goes back to the bag. You'll get a lot less attention if you do that.

[@MiscellanyTop]

As always, excellent, Sean. Thank you. A very Happy Crimble and a healthy and prosperous 2025 to you.

[@orvozon2914]

Great video translated into French. Thank you Sean. I hope your next videos will be too.👍👍👍 Christine from FRance

[@tjcuneo]

Your encouragement to get out at night, and a guide to manual camera settings was helpful Thank you for your 2024 KZbin contributions. All the best in 2025.

[@dgr3asr]

Such an inspiring talk and great photos!

[@Lalo7454]

Well these are the insights I needed, was wondering how to take the long nights with rain and cold

[@gershonportnoy5589]

Very nice night photography video❤❤❤

[@summarity]

Another strategy: use a monochrome camera. I'm thoroughly enjoying my Q2M and M11M for this time of year. With the M11M, I've done A3+ prints of photos at 64000 (three zeros!) ISO and they still look amazing. At lower sensitives, it's also great for some Schaller-esque high-contrast negative space B/W.

[@Homer-0]

Always a pleasure to watch learn from your content Sean! All the best to you and looking forward for the next one in 2025 :)

[@geoffstairmand3747]

As always Sean you inspire, often just when it's needed. As a passionate woodland photographer the opportunities for great images in this country become minimal (unless we have cold snowy winter ahead ...) and I need a reason to get out there and do some stuff. Your video has come at the very right time so a big thank you from me. Returning your best wishes for Christmas and hope the coming year gives you the rewards you justly deserve.

[@midge1053]

Hi Sean, just wanted to say I loved this video. Nightime street photography is my passion, I love Saul Leiter. Some of your shots reminded me of his work. Keep this up and I am a fan. Lisa

[@LaFuenteOnFilm]

This was so good. Motivating for shooting at night more!

[@cmichaelhaugh8517]

One of your best videos!

[@Frank19747]

Great video Sean thank you for sharing.

[@anthonygosling8128]

Beautiful images! the pro mist works wonders, I simply must give this a go. Thank you for sharing👌

[@jrfsailing07]

Thank you Sean, this was great!

[@johncolquhoun6416]

Excellent. Have a good one. Cheers

[@marcosdamata8325]

Loved the video, Sean! A quick technical add if I may: mirrorless cameras have much better slow-shutter performance (without IBIS, I mean). I could never get below 1/100 handheld with my old DSLR, but with my Fuji I can get as down as 1/40 with good results, cause that mirror clapping the camera produces vibration. Also, at night (especially with eletronic shutter) is good to have 1/60 or 1/125 shutter speeds to sync with LED (60hz) and avoid banding. Also, those mist filters looks great.

[@acronymphotography]

Sean, totally agree about the wrist strap. I shoot at Glastonbury and as I use two cameras I pass their neck straps through the shoulder straps of my rucksack, if that’s useful to anyone. Never had a cheeky monkey try to grab a camera but it’s a good 11:47 security blanket.

[@Boatzerama]

Excellent images. All the best.

[@MultimediaEnver]

Hi Sean, you are really making great videos and your thoughts on each of your chosen topics are absolutely worth listening to. Many thanks for all your great work and greetings from Vienna. Enver

[@xtvst]

Very inspiring! Thanks, Sean.

[@sharonhaasbroek7464]

Thank you, and happy holidays.

[@sunnyta619]

I did a lot of street shots in Rome after a rain. It was amazing.

[@pascalthiebaud]

All the best for this ending year and wish you joy in this Christmastime. See you next year.

[@jamesmonte3165]

Great video and beautiful imagery Sean 👍

[@tbostrowski6136]

Your winters are very different than ours and crime is not a concern (it happens) but slipping on ice and falling into a snow bank is. Thanks for your exceptional style of sharing. Best of the new year to year to you Sean. Merry Christmas from western Canada 🇨🇦

[@diegoabw]

Great video and beautiful photos. Merry Christmas

[@GamachePhoto]

Great video on evening/night shooting. Cheers from Canada.

[@JanneRanta]

I always loved how fuji does auto-iso. So you can set a minimum shutter speed and when that is not enough for right exposure the camera starts upping the iso. Works awesome with aperture priority and using exposure compensation combo. 👍