Discover the Streets at Night with Mr Whisper

10 snips

Sep 20, 2024

Bal Bhatla, aka Mr. Whisper, is a London-based commercial photographer renowned for his stunning nighttime street photography, blending art with brand collaborations. He shares his creative journey from a digital director to a sought-after photographer and discusses the nuances of capturing candid moments under low light. Bal provides practical tips on camera settings and the importance of using natural light. He also delves into balancing artistic integrity with commercial work and the cultural significance of his newly released book, "London After Dark."

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Books

Transcript

Episode notes

ANECDOTE

From Adland to Photography

Bal Bhatla, aka Mr. Whisper, transitioned from advertising to photography after his nighttime London Tube photos gained popularity on Instagram.
This led to brand collaborations and ultimately a full-time photography career.

ANECDOTE

Finding His Niche

Bhatla's nighttime photography niche emerged after he transitioned from smartphone to Fujifilm X-T1.
He realized he could capture candid moments at night, a style he preferred over staged landmark shots.

ADVICE

Balancing Art and Commerce

Be transparent with clients about your style and limitations.
Maintain artistic control by including an artistic license clause in contracts.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

I love night street photography, which is why I was thrilled when Ashley Riffo, our editor, landed an interview with our , Bal Bhatla, aka Mr Whisper who is also the featured photographer in Street Photography Magazine’s October 2024 issue.

Recently Ashley and I sat down for a very lively conversation with Bal who is truly a class act. He’s a London-based commercial photographer famous for his nighttime photography, to share his journey from being a digital creative director to a full-time photographer. His early recognition on Instagram, thanks to his striking nighttime images of the London Tube, launched him into the limelight, leading to prestigious brand collaborations with names like Netflix, Disney, BMW, Fujifilm, Google and others.

During our conversation he digs into the art of capturing candid moments using natural light at night, offering us invaluable tips for successful night street photography. I enjoyed his common sense insights into using available lighting at night, the nuances of ISO settings, and the advantages of prime lenses.

Under the banner of Mister Whisper Productions, Bal expertly juggles commercial assignments with personal projects. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining artistic control while meeting client expectations which can be a very delicate balance that many photographers often struggle with.

His newly-released book, “London After Dark,” which documents London’s nightlife from 2010 to 2024, is a must-have for anyone who wants to up their nighttime urban photography chops.

In addition to the technical aspects Bal opens up about the personal side of his creative journey. From the support of his wife, to the challenges of self-promotion on social media, Bal’s anecdotes are both relatable to any of us. He advocates for authenticity and consistent posting, a practice that has garnered positive engagement for his work. As Mark Twain once said, “be yourself, everyone else is taken.” That pearl of wisdom has served Bal well.

So join us Ashley and me on this episode of the Street Photography Magazine podcast for an engaging and fun conversation with Bal Bhatla. Find some inspiration, learn new techniques, and dip your toe into the world of night street photography.

Discover the Streets at Night with Mr Whisper

From Adland to Photography

Finding His Niche

Balancing Art and Commerce

Links from the show