When you’re out making impromptu portraits, whether on the streets or indoors, you’re often at the mercy of available light. Sometimes that light can be flat and dull, causing portraits to lack shape and depth.

On the other hand, as has often been the case during our recent British summer, the light might be harsh and bright, meaning you have to deal with strong contrast and hotspots on the person’s skin or hair.

You can, of course, take steps to improve the light you’re working with. A little fill-flash can help in both situations — adding some gentle modelling in flat light, and filling in shadows under harder light.

I always find it helpful to think of light as ‘air’. For fill-light, imagine it as a gentle breath — just enough to stir the subject’s hair or be barely felt on their skin.

Sometimes, though, you simply get lucky with the light — as I did recently when I made these portraits of John and my friend Jeannette.

I spotted John sitting outside a canal-side pub, partially in shade, with the light just picking out his face and impressive beard. As I approached, I was hoping for two things:

– That he would agree to having his portrait made.
– That he wouldn’t move!

Fortunately, he said yes and stayed put — in fact, he told me he wouldn’t have moved even if I’d asked him! I loved how John seemed to emerge from the shadows, and how his characterful features suited the high-contrast light.

Jeannette, on the other hand, was sitting inside a pub rather than outside. She put on her lovely hat and pushed it back so the brim wouldn’t cast a shadow over her eyes. I asked her to look towards the window so that her eyes would catch the light and her face and hair would be softly illuminated. Again, the light suited the subject — a soft and gentle breeze of light.

I’m certainly no expert, but I do love using light — natural or artificial — as creatively as I can. One thing I’ve learned is not to be too shy about asking your subject to move to where the light is better, or simply easier to work with.

Birmingham, UK-based Street Portrait Photographer