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Ye Chuan

March 20, 2025

Three things I learned walking at night

After a few years of shooting Chengdu after dark, the three things that work best: don’t rush, wait in the light, and put the camera away.

An old street strung with red lanterns, a few people walking along it

The easiest mistake in night photography is to start shooting the moment you step outside.

First, don’t rush. For the first twenty minutes I barely lift the camera. I just walk. It lets my eyes adjust, and lets the street adjust to me.

Second, wait in the light. There isn’t much light at night, but what there is stays put: a shop sign, a street lamp, a door left open. I pick a good spot, stand still, and wait for someone to walk into it. It’s far steadier than chasing people, and a lot more dignified.

A stone-stepped old lane hung with red lanterns, wooden shopfronts on both sides
The mouth of the stone-step lane. I waited ten minutes for the light to reach the steps.

Third, put the camera away. If someone clearly doesn’t want to be photographed, I don’t. I lower the camera, nod, and keep walking. It isn’t just politeness. It’s how I get to turn up on the same street again next time.

Over the years, nearly all my best frames came on the way home, after I’d already decided to stop.