The breathtaking beauty of these lowlight photos will change how you view the world

Ink Tank values photography in all forms. Sharing the creativity and skill of talented photographers is a priority. Toni Garcia is one such photographer. His low light photos demonstrate a specific mastery of the craft.

Garcia specialises in low light silhouette photos. His work contains beauty and mystery. He transforms night landscapes into art. He answered several questions about his process and inspiration.

Interview with Toni Garcia

What do you find so appealing about taking low light silhouette pictures?

I love working with low light scenes. This attraction comes from the difficulty of adapting to low light conditions after learning the basics of daylight. Night is intimate when shooting. One can see without being seen. I like not knowing anything about the lives of the people in my pictures, only sharing that particular time and space.

How do you come up with the inspiration for them?

I am inspired by the unknown and the unexpected. I can go to a wonderful place with a camera and go blank. Inspiration cannot be invoked. I feel comfortable out of my comfort zone where everything is new. I admire Caspar Friedrich, a romantic landscape painter. Other inspirations include Michael Kenna, Fan Ho, Todd Hido and Alexander Gronsky. I also find new photographers daily through Tumblr and Instagram.

What techniques and equipment do you use?

The technique involves playing with settings for low light. I choose between a higher ISO or a slower shutter speed depending on the scene. To freeze a person in the scene, I use a high ISO. This results in digital noise, which is a practical trade-off. For landscapes, I use a long shutter speed and pay attention to the aperture. I work in full manual mode. My equipment is basic. I use a Nikon D90 with a 50mm F/1.8 and a 18-105mm F/3.5 lens. I use the cheapest tripod I could find. I also use a Microsoft Lumia 1020 with a tripod holder.

What top tips would you give to anyone trying to shoot similar style photos?

Equipment is important but it is not everything. The desire to learn through trial and error makes you better. Shoot as much as possible. Get up early and find a group of colleagues who share the passion. Learning is more fun with others. Keep the camera in manual mode and explore its limits.