Kisau Photography

How do you feel when the city lights begin to illuminate the night? The night transforms Melbourne into something magical, giving the familiar streets an entirely new personality. During the quiet moments between lockdowns, these photos captured a city that felt both still and brimming with potential. As the sun dipped below the horizon and the lights began to glow, the empty streets became a canvas for creativity. This chapter of The Melbourne Portraits Project captures the delicate balance of serenity and vibrancy that Melbourne embodied at night.

There’s something about shooting with only the available light sources at night that sparks a sense of wonder. The way lights interact with people and the environment creates an atmosphere rich with depth and mystery. It’s as if the city itself dares you to step beyond the ordinary. Figures seem to take on a new energy under the glow, moving through the light in ways that feel more daring and unrestrained. The city lights transform everything, revealing new perspectives and inviting you to see the world in a fresh and extraordinary way.

This chapter invites you to embrace the city after dark. By relying solely on the available light sources, every movement and emotion is imbued with a new intensity. The city becomes a living canvas, where the interplay of light and shadow paints each story in rich, unforgettable strokes.

About The Melbourne Portraits Project

The Melbourne Portraits Project: A Photographic Ode invites you to see Melbourne in a new light. Through a series of photoshoots scattered across the city’s streets, alleys, and hidden spots, Paul Tocatlian captures the creative pulse of Melbourne and the people who make it thrive. This book celebrates a community that inspires creativity and encourages everyone to dream bigger. Accompanying this photo book is a companion website that offers additional insights, including articles like this one, further exploring Melbourne’s inspiring spirit and the collaborative energy behind each portrait.

Photos That Didn’t Make The Cut

We know you’re wondering about the photos that didn’t make it into the book! We’ll be adding a curated mix here over time, so keep checking back for more hidden gems. Stay tuned!

Yasmine Ke the Stage for This Chapter

“In the glow of the city lights,

we find the courage to explore who we truly are.”

Yasmine Ke

This quote from Yasmine Ke encapsulates everything this chapter is about. When I worked with Yasmine for this photoshoot, the city itself became our studio. We wandered through LED-lit displays at Fed Square, paused by the Nicholas Building, and marveled at the clean white walls in front of Telstra Melbourne Discovery. The only light sources we relied on were those offered by the city. No flash. Just the natural glow of Melbourne at night.

Yasmine isn’t just a model. She’s also a gifted photographer. Collaborating with her was unlike any other experience because she understood the nuances of being both behind and in front of the lens. One piece of advice from her changed my photography journey forever: she convinced me to shoot in RAW instead of JPEG. That simple shift improved my workflow, and I’ll always be grateful for her guidance.

One photograph from this shoot stands out. Yasmine in front of the Vintage Sole. Honestly, this shot is a gem, no pun intended. The composition, much like a diamond’s cut, reflects thoughtful framing and a playful interplay of shapes and light. The neon glow? Pure brilliance, drawing you in like a dazzling jewel on display. The color grading feels like the perfect balance, reminiscent of a diamond’s hues. Vivid neon tones contrasted beautifully with the soft shadows on Yasmine’s face, giving the image a depth that’s impossible to ignore.

The clarity of the photo shines through in every detail, from the crisp edge of her sunglasses to the delicate highlights that make her expression pop. It’s like the whole scene whispers, “Look closer.” And the impact? Oh, it’s like a diamond’s carat weight. It just pulls you in. That close-up of Yasmine, her gaze, her story is a moment that’s both bold and timeless. No wonder it’s the banner image on the homepage of this website.

Embracing the Glow: Shooting Portraits at Night

Shooting portraits at night opens up a world of creative possibilities. You don’t need a flash to capture memorable images. Positioning someone near a light source or cranking up the ISO are just two examples of how you can let the city’s natural ambiance shape your photos. The results can range from gritty to polished, depending on the mood you’re looking to create.

The locations in this chapter are as diverse as the photos themselves. Garage rooftops, with their dim lighting, call for high ISO settings, which create a grainy and moody aesthetic. Storefront entrances, on the other hand, provide just enough light from LED scrolling logos to illuminate the subject, producing a surreal effect. Game arcades are another favorite location, offering vibrant colors and a playful energy that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into another world.

Sometimes, a simple white wall of a building can look like a professional studio backdrop when lit by city lights. Street corners and window reflections often provide spontaneous opportunities for magic, capturing candid moments after the main photoshoot is done. City benches, when photographed up close, can disappear entirely, framing the subject in a unique and unexpected way. Dark alleyways, with their mysterious charm, have a way of surprising you. Like learning later that a couple photographed there had gone on to get married.

Each of these settings adds its own character to the photos, with reflections, shadows, and vibrant lights coming together to create images that feel alive.

Each photo in this chapter tells a story. The reflections, the shadows, and the vibrant lights all come together to create something that feels alive. Night photography is about more than just technical settings; it’s about capturing the emotions and narratives that come to life under the city’s glow.

I hope as you explore these images, you take a moment to connect with the stories they tell. The city at night is a place of discovery, and each photo is an invitation to see the world a little differently.

Join the Conversation!

I’d love to hear from you! Drop a comment below to connect with us and others exploring The Melbourne Portraits Project. Got a question about the stories behind the photos? Curious about the creative process? Or maybe you’ve got a story of your own to share? Whatever’s on your mind, let’s chat! Your thoughts and stories make this journey even richer. Jump in, join the conversation, and let’s keep the inspiration rolling!

© Paul Tocatlian. All Rights Reserved.

The Melbourne Portraits Project