About the event
Join me in a world of cinematic storytelling where every corner, neon glow, shopfront reflection, and shadowed alley becomes part of the frame and the narrative. This after-dark photo and video walk isn’t just about taking pictures, it’s about seeing like a filmmaker; whether you are taking pictures or shooting video.
We'll be chasing ambient light, exploring mood, contrast, and composition, using nothing but what the city has to offer: from shop signs, streetlights, car beams, and pockets of glow tucked into unexpected places.
You’ll be shooting with 1–2 models styled to suit the aesthetic, capturing scenes that feel like stills from a movie, with no flashes, no big setups, just smart, intentional use of constant light sources.
Inspired by the atmospheric look of films like Drive, Blade Runner, Lost in Translation, and Collateral, this walk is open to both photographers and filmmakers and invites you to slow down, observe, and create story-driven frames with depth and emotion. It's an exciting cinematic dive into Auckland after-dark.
You will also have the opportunity to try out the new Alpha 7 V, showcasing the best of its abilities in dark conditions, and how powerful this full-frame hybrid camera is for both photo and video.
Please note
This event is open to all camera systems, even analog ones.
The meeting point will be confirmed closer to the time but we will be walking around Ponsonby Road looking for artificial lights and cool backdrops.
Techniques covered
- Sourcing and playing with available artificial light
- Shooting in low-light and pushing your skills in this area
- Chats on how to frame, compose, and shoot in a cinematic way
- Thinking on the spot and developing flexibility when shooting with constraints
- For filmmakers, we will look at how we can create actions/emotions in a 10 second clip
What to bring
- A camera and lenses - ideally you will have a camera that can shoot comfortably at high ISO and lenses with a wide aperture (F2.8 or under if possible)
- Pro-mist like filters to create in-camera halation (nice to have but not a requirement - this can also be done in post-production)
- Memory cards and a fully charged battery
- If you want to test the Alpha 7 V, make sure to bring a fast UHS-II SD card to use with this camera (especially in video mode)