Discover Creativity and Photographic Inspiration Right Outside Your Door
How night photography rekindled my passion and how it could transform your photography too.
A photographer friend of mine, now retired and single, spends most of his time travelling the globe—capturing breathtaking photos from places like Togo, Budapest, India, and Morocco. His work is awe-inspiring, and I have no doubt he’ll win awards for his photography soon. Seeing his images often stirs a sense of nostalgia, reminding me of my own adventures across Europe, Africa, Australia, and Central America in my twenties.
These days, though, things are different. Exotic travels are out of my budget. If I only took photos on holiday, my camera would spend most of its time gathering dust. Shooting photos for clients? Well, that’s work—sometimes exhilarating, sometimes just about paying the bills.
But what about finding inspiration closer to home?
Finding Beauty in the Everyday
Alongside my work as a photographer and videographer, I also teach English as a Foreign Language (EFL). During a recent lesson, I shared some photos of my town with a student, and we both found each other’s images fascinating. She was proud of her city, yet I realised I couldn’t muster the same enthusiasm for my own. I’d always imagined that moving to a more ‘picturesque’ place—maybe the seaside or countryside—would spark my creativity.
But I started to wonder: could I rediscover beauty in the everyday scenes around me?
The Initial Exploration: Exploring Tunbridge Wells
With just my old iPhone, I began wandering my town during the day-time seeing what caught my eye. I left my heavy cameras behind to stay light and free from the pressure of getting the ‘perfect shot.’ I explored local parks, empty streets, and car parks, all the ‘trendy’ type of images, the images that seemed to do well on social media, but I felt no spark. The snaps I took seemed flat—nothing moved me. They looked dull and boring to me, and I wished I could win the lottery to escape to more ‘exciting’ locations.
Discovering the Magic of Dusk
Then one evening, I saw the lights flicker on in a local tattoo parlour just as dusk was setting in. It was my ‘eureka’ moment. That’s when I decided to delve into night photography, experimenting with twilight, dusk, and the rich contrasts of darkness in Tunbridge Wells.
I turned to film photography to slow myself down, paying attention to the settings and compositions that worked best for night shots. I used an EOS5 and an EOS30—in theory, the EOS 5 is a better camera, but I ended up using the EOS 30 because of its easy-to-use cable release. The cable release for the EOS 5 is a nightmare to plug in, in the dark, and if I left it in, it would inevitably fire off when I didn’t want it to, wasting expensive film.
Over time, I found myself shooting with different cameras: a Mamiya 6 for its sharp medium-format results and an EOS 30 with its user-friendly cable release, making night work more practical.
Tunbridge Wells at night on medium format film
Night photography with the Mamiya 6 on Cinestill 800T
Night photography with the Mamiya 6 on Cinestill 800T
Night photography with the Mamiya 6 on Cinestill 800T
Night photography with the Mamiya 6 on Cinestill 800T
Night photography with the Mamiya 6 on Cinestill 800T
Night photography with the Mamiya 6 on Lomo 800
Night photography with the Mamiya 6 on Lomo 800
Night photography with the Mamiya 6 on Cinestill 800T
Night photography with the Mamiya 6 on Cinestill 800T
Night photography with the Mamiya 6 on Cinestill 800T
Night photography with the Mamiya 6 on Cinestill 800T
Night photography with the Mamiya 6 on Cinestill 800T
Using the Mamiya 6 medium format camera for night photography
There aren’t so many films available at 800 ISO for medium format cameras. I’ve tried Portra 800, Lomo 800, and Cinestill 800 so far, and I was very surprised at how much I preferred Lomo 800 to Portra 800. It’s said to be based on Kodak Gold 800. I adore Cinestill 800T—it’s well known for its very distinctive look for night photos.
Rediscovering Joy in Film Photography
Nights of Experimentation
At first, I went out almost every night, drawn to the way light shapes the environment after dark. Sometimes I found empty streets eerily beautiful, other times it was the glow of a lone figure inside a café that caught my attention. I started shooting on Cinestill 800T and later moved to different ISO 800 films, including black-and-white stock. The variety of film stocks kept the process exciting and fresh.
Each night offered something new. The light changes moment by moment, and that journey through spring and summer made me appreciate how quickly our environment shifts. Now, I can’t wait to see how autumn and winter will affect the mood of my night photography.
Exploring Personal Themes
I realised I’m often drawn to scenes where people are alone or where their absence feels meaningful. Maybe there’s a part of me that connects to these moments of solitude—whether it’s a quiet alleyway or a silhouette in a window. Whatever it is, night photography has become my new creative playground. Sometimes, a technically perfect shot doesn’t move me, but an image with a slight imperfection—perhaps a bit of blur or grain—feels more alive, more real.
Learning More About Myself
My only aim was to find what moved me to photograph, as I felt I’d lost my inspiration when I started working with photos and video for others rather than for myself. I discovered I loved evening and night photography. My goals evolved as I was drawn to scenes with people or animals, or where the absence of people felt poignant. The amateur psychologist in me wonders if this connects to my own feelings of isolation. I’ve always longed for a special connection with someone, which is perhaps why these scenes speak to me. I’m always alone; maybe those who long to be alone are drawn to landscapes without people.
I loved shooting misty mornings, but I didn’t like waking up at 3:30am to capture dawn, so nights became my playground. I discovered the moon’s movement, transforming dull photos into something special. I don’t mind the cold but have to confess I don’t feel inspired when it’s pouring with rain and I’m drenched through.
My tastes evolved. I started using lower ISO film, experimenting with long exposures, multiple exposures, and flash. There were surprises. Loading Lomo 800 film into my Mamiya 6 was physically challenging, but the results were worth it. A couple of my favourite photos even made it into Amateur Photographer.
I haven’t shot a petrol station. Our local petrol station can’t compete with those in the American Midwest. But I have discovered small shops, eateries, Victorian lampposts, and cobbled streets in my town.
There’s a process for me. Sometimes, I feel nothing, and then something catches my eye or excites me. I’ve learned to let it go if I feel totally uninspired. A technically good photo might do nothing for my soul, but a shot that’s imperfect in some way, maybe out of focus or blurred, might move me in some way.
Choosing night photography has allowed me to narrow down my focus. It’s a long-term project. In practice, I can only shoot for a maximum of two hours, sometimes taking just two or three shots. Like Scheherazade’s stories, it leaves me wanting more, giving me a reason to go out again the next night and see what nature and man’s lights reveal.
35mm Night Film Photography
Night photography in Tunbridge Wells with Mr Negative 500T
Night photography in Tunbridge Wells with Mr Negative 500T
Night photography in Tunbridge Wells with Mr Negative 500T
Mr Negative 500T
I shot these photographs using ECN-2 film, on Mr Negative 500T, shot at box speed on my Canon EOS 30. I found this film to be really sharp at night, and I loved the bright and vivid colours at night, as well as the softer palette it showed for my early pre-dawn shots.
Top Tips for Night Photography
If you’re thinking about trying your hand at night photography, here are a few things I’ve learned along the way…
Use Your Phone for Recces
Film is expensive, so I always start by scouting with my phone. It’s not ‘cheating’—it’s a way to work out composition and angles before you commit to a shot. I’ve even had moments when the phone captured something spontaneous, like a bird in flight, that I wasn’t quick enough to catch on film. But it often helps me decide where to wait with my camera for that perfect shot. As you get more comfortable with shooting with your analogue camera, you may find you no longer need to test with your phone first.
Keep Notes
Jot down your settings and film stock—trust me, it’ll save you frustration later. There’s nothing worse than nailing a shot and then having no clue how to recreate it. I use a small notepad, though Analogue Wonderland also sells cute film notebooks if you prefer something more official.
Experiment with Film
Don’t be afraid to experiment. Try both colour and black-and-white film at different ISO speeds. But when you find a film that makes your heart sing, stick with it for a while. Push it, pull it—get to know it inside and out with your camera.
I buy most of my film from Analogue Wonderland. They offer a wide range of stock, their processing is quick, and their expertise in film development is top-notch. It’s a one-stop shop for experimenting and discovering what works for you.
ANALOGUE WOnDERLAND
Analogue Wonderland are a UK-based lab that offer a wide variety of films. Some films sell out fast though, so it’s worth signing up to be notified when it comes back in stock.
They also offer developing for black and white and colour films, as well as specialised developing, such as for souped films.
Composition and Colour
When shooting at night, try using the rule of thirds to guide the placement of lights in your frame. Diagonals and leading lines also work beautifully. Personally, I pull my film by one stop to keep the colours from becoming too distorted during long exposures, but you might enjoy those shifts, so feel free to play around.
Invest in Good Gear
For night photography, I keep it simple: one or two cameras, a solid tripod, a cable release, and a small torch. Trust me, the last thing you want is to lose something in the dark! A notebook and pen are also essential, especially if your phone battery tends to die quickly (like mine does).
Experiment with different 800 ISO films for night photography
Night photography with Flic Film Aurora 800
Night photography with Flic Film Aurora 800
Night photography with Flic Film Aurora 800
Flic Film Aurora 800
There is so much more variety of film available to shoot on 35mm analogue cameras, compared to medium format, which is perfect for experimenting with to see what you like. I particularly liked shooting with Flic Film Aurora 800—the colours were really pleasing at dusk, in particular, and it was also pretty sharp for focus.
Your Turn to Capture the Night
Night photography has reignited my passion for capturing the world around me. It’s a long-term project—one that continues to surprise me and push me creatively. If you’re intrigued by the idea of night photography and want to learn more, why not join one of my workshops?
Whether you’re looking to build your analogue portfolio or simply want to understand the magic of shooting film at night, I’d love to have you along. And remember, my Instagram and TikTok accounts showcase both my digital and analogue work—it’s all part of what I do, so expect a blend of everything!
If you have any questions or want to share your own experiences, feel free to reach out.
Follow me on Instagram or TikTok for behind-the-scenes peeks at my night photography adventures and updates on upcoming workshops, photowalks, and mentoring sessions. Let’s capture the night together.
Why not send me a quick WHATSAPP?
I’m always happy to chat about night photography or hear your thoughts on the blog. Drop me a quick WhatsApp message!
