Street Manual

A field guide for street photographers.

by Luke Carey

Projects2–3 hours (night)

Night Bus

Last service. Everyone on it.

The night bus is a social cross-section at its most unguarded - tired, drunk, quiet, strange. A month of night bus photography produces a body of work unlike anything else.

How to shoot it: Last services at the weekend, when the bus becomes a social cross-section at its most unguarded. Shoot available light, high ISO and a fast lens, from a seat rather than standing over people. Reflections in the dark windows double the frame. Read the room and stay safe, step off if it turns, and keep the camera low-key. A month of rides builds a body of work nothing else matches.

The output: A late-night document of the city at its least performative.

Camera Settings

High ISO. Available light.

The Assignment

Take the night bus on a Friday or Saturday. Stay on it for two hours.

Free Course