As a photographer I am often inspired by other creative arts and the emotions they generate, mostly music and movies.

I’m aware of emotions stirred by a song lyric, or a feeling created by a scene in a movie. As a photographer I try to capture this emotion or portray the feeling, rather than faithfully trying recreate the scene.

Photography consists of many factors, from the interplay between light and shadow, the choice of framing, and often the narrative in an image. With street photography all of these characteristics are important to produce a cohesive image that tells a story or leaves the viewer room to create their own.

I by no means consider myself a street photographer, but after a long day photographing railway museums and the Cathedral I found myself drawn to the cinematic qualities that night photography in the streets of York, England offered.

Framing the Narrative

Framing is a crucial element in photography and one that can elevate a scene to a cinematic level. In this image I chose to place the lone diner slightly off-center. The asymmetry of the composition allows for a sense of space around them, hinting at waiting or isolation. The diner’s environment is revealed in the negative space, drawing attention to the empty tables, dim lighting, and the quiet stillness that run through the restaurant.

When photographing this scene I imagined myself as an observer, quietly noticing a fleeting moment in a larger, unfolding narrative.

The juxtaposition of light and dark guides us out of the scene, but then returns us through the open door to notice the diner. The setting, much like a film frame, allows us to ponder what came before and what may come next.

The viewer is left to fill in the gaps and create their own narrative: Why is the diner alone? What thoughts occupy their mind?

Colour Grading to Create Mood

Colour palette plays a vital role in establishing the cinematic mood. The warm tones of the restaurant’s interior are punctuated by shadows that guide us into the image. Traditionally red is chosen for evil or sinister effect, however the open door and warm glow of the restaurant interior present a more warming tone.

Setting the Scene

One of the hallmarks of cinematic imagery is the sense that the shot could be a snapshot from a much larger story. This photograph captures just a fleeting moment; a single frame from an unseen narrative. The lone diner, caught in the dim glow of the restaurant, evokes a sense of contemplation or perhaps even sadness. The image doesn’t provide answers, but rather raises questions: What is the diner thinking? What has led them to this moment of solitude?

The simplicity of this photograph draws the viewer to their own interpretation of the scene and a simple or complex narrative as they wish to pursue. Is the diner waiting for someone who never arrived? Are they simply savouring the quiet solitude after a long day? These questions are the essence of storytelling.

Creating a Narrative

Taken on the same evening, as I wandered back to the hotel for the night, the image below caught my imagination.

How many cinematic techniques do you recognise in this photograph? What is the narrative, and how does the colour, subject and composition lead you to forming this story?

As photographers we have the ability to create images and narratives from the ordinary. Through careful lighting, composition, and a bit of imagination, we can transform an everyday moment into something cinematic, something that feels as though it’s part of a larger story. And that’s the beauty of visual storytelling. It’s not just about what we see, but about what we feel and imagine when we encounter the image.