The 180° Rule Isn’t What You Think (Street Photography)

I don’t believe in rules. Except the 180 degree rule, and most people get it wrong.

It does not mean shoot directly into the sun. It is about the direction of the light. If the light is behind you, your photos go flat. Safe. Lifeless. Turn around, or shift five steps, and the same street, same people, same moment suddenly has shape, edges, and depth.

Light behind your subject gives you glow, rim light, silhouettes. Light from the side gives faces form and shadows that lead the eye.

Best part? You don’t have to move much, which is my favorite thing in the world. Find the light, frame the scene, and wait. People will walk into it. They always do.

Don’t face the sun. Face the light. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.