What’s poppin, people? It’s Dante. Today, we’re going to be discussing developing a personal style through light. Over the past decade, I’ve been traveling the world, working on my photography, and I’ve mastered the use of light.

I’ve understood that my personal approach to photography requires light. It requires this scorching sun to give shape and form to the people that I photograph on the streets. And so, most of my great photographs have something more than just an interesting moment—there’s something about the light that elevates the photograph to a new height.

Understanding Your Preference in Light

By understanding your personal taste in what makes a good photograph and what kind of light you prefer, you can refine your own style. Maybe you’re a night owl, shooting at nightclubs or in the evening. Or maybe you’re like me—never out at night, never using flash, preferring the scorching sun, long looming shadows of golden hour, or the harsh light of midday.

The only way to develop your own style through light is by going out there and experimenting with different types of light, by photographing with consistency.

Studying Great Photographers and Their Use of Light

Certain photographers have mastered light in their own unique way. Studying their work can influence your ability to use light as a tool:

Trent Parke – High contrast images with long, dark, crushed shadows in the streets of Australia.

Ray Metzker – Abstracting his photographs through deep, crushing shadows and exposing for highlights.

Saul Leiter – Using soft, painterly light for more artistic and layered compositions.

Light Defines the Mood and Tone

Light is essential in setting the mood and creating an emotional response from the viewer. A well-lit scene can invoke joy, mystery, horror, or melancholy just by the way light interacts with the subject.

When I was in Mumbai, India, I positioned myself by the sea, knowing the golden hour glow would create something special. This kind of awareness—understanding how light interacts at a certain time of day in a specific location—helped me refine my vision.

Experimenting to Find Your Own Signature

Early on, experiment with different lighting conditions:

Early morning – Soft sunrise light.
Midday – Harsh shadows and high contrast.
Golden hour – Warm glow, long shadows.
Blue hour – Cool tones, moody atmosphere.
Nighttime – Artificial lights and neon glow.

I quickly learned that I don’t like using flash. It feels aggressive and unnatural to me. Instead, I love high contrast light, golden hour warmth, and deep, dark shadows.

There is no right or wrong with this. Follow your curiosity, experiment, and find what resonates with you.

Finding Your Voice Through Light

One of my earliest realizations came while photographing in Baltimore—I was drawn to the way shadows played in the background, slicing across the faces of my subjects. This interplay of light and shadow has continued to intrigue me and influence my work.

Long, looming shadows add mystery and depth.
Light slicing through the scene can isolate subjects.
Contrast between highlights and darkness creates impact.

By following the light, positioning yourself in certain places at certain times, and shooting in specific lighting conditions, you can develop a signature look.

Editing and Post-Processing: Making Your Light Consistent

Editing choices also define your style:

Select only your best photographs.
Cull ruthlessly—if it doesn’t align with your vision, leave it behind.
Decide whether you want deep contrast, soft light, or painterly colors.
Post-process to enhance what was naturally in the scene, not to create something artificial.

For example, when I shot in color, my edits were minimal:

+20 contrast
-20 highlights
Deep blacks to enhance the high contrast look

Now, with my Ricoh GR III and GR IIIx, I use in-camera JPEG settings with my contrast, shadows, and highlights baked in—so I don’t need to do much post-processing.

Using Light to Build a Long-Term Project

Light consistency can define a cohesive body of work.

In Zambia, Africa, I noticed how the harsh midday light and golden hour glow shaped my photographs. By consistently using similar lighting, I created a series that felt unified and deeply personal.

Light is not just a technical factor; it’s an artistic choice that gives your work a voice.

Studying the Masters: What Can We Learn?

Ray Metzker

High contrast abstraction
Long, looming shadows
Crushing the blacks to expose for highlights

Saul Leiter

Soft, painterly color
Use of reflections and layers
Artistic over realism

Trent Parke

Dramatic use of high contrast
Storytelling through street documentary
Crushed shadows and exposed highlights

My Own Work

I gravitate towards high contrast, golden light, and deep shadows. By repeatedly shooting at the same times of day and in similar conditions, I’ve developed a personal signature.

Light is the essence of photography. We wield light as our medium, so mastering it is key.

Your Challenge: Find Your Light

To develop your own voice, try this:

Create a mini-series of five images where light is the main stylistic element.
Photograph at different times of day and compare the results.
Study photographers whose light you admire and analyze why it works.
Return to the same location in different lighting conditions and document the changes.

Over time, you’ll naturally find your preference and develop your style.

Final Thoughts

Mastering light is the key to refining your personal photographic vision. Experiment, study the greats, and be consistent.

For more on developing your style in street photography, check out:

Dantesisofo.com – My resource on finding your style in street photography.
YouTube.com/streetphotography – More videos breaking down the use of light.

I hope something in this post resonates with you. Now, go out there and find your light.

Peace

How to Develop Your Unique Street Photography Style Through Light