Eyes Wide Shut: The Blurring Line Between Studio Portraits and Street Photography

Opposites attract

If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years of photography, it’s how fluid the boundaries between different photographic genres are. And that you learn by exploring different genres. Even in portrait photography, working with lighting has, paradoxically, taught me to work better on the street. It has taught me to see light more clearly.

On the surface, the lack of interaction in street photography seems to be the opposite of the connection found in portrait work. But in reality, the first part of that statement is false. There is interaction on the street—and plenty of it. In both cases, however, you must be in tune with your surroundings. Embrace the world, first and foremost through empathy; be curious and know how to be amazed by its wonders, big or small. In portrait photography, it’s exactly the same thing.

The setup for the two photos

In this case, two Profoto B1 units + a Profoto Beauty Dish White + grid + a Profoto Octa 90 + grid

Sony A7R3

135mm f/1.8 Sony GM

B49 Studio

Thanks to Giada, who’s fantastic as always!