Sussex Street Photographer

Shadows, movement and something unique

Out on the streets of Brighton, Eastbourne, Hastings and London, all manner of unique characters, shapes and scenes catch my attention.

I love it when an image has enough depth to tell a particular story or enough natural expression that the viewer can relate and this is what I seek when taking street images.

Among the crowds or empty streets, I look for rare splashes of colour, people in greeting, emotions, light and engaging backgrounds.

Whether it’s beautiful or pretty grim and gritty, I still feel it’s important to get that shot. Recently I've started using a 14mm lens, so have to get extra close as it’s so wide. Perhaps not always crisp, but certainly interesting.

For more details on where I shoot street photography in Brighton, head to my blog post below

https://jamesratchfordphotography.com/blog/the-best-photography-locations-in-brighton

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People observing a sunset at the beach near a pier with a colorful amusement park and a lighthouse, with birds flying in the sky.
People sitting and standing on a boat or pier with a view of a city and a large flock of birds flying in the sky during sunset, with a lit street lamp in the foreground.
A person walking on a wooden deck, seen through a window with a rounded top, with a small ornate white and blue gazebo in the background and a cityscape with a large antenna in the distance. The person is wearing a raincoat and hat.
A person walking under a bridge or overpass, with blue columns and patterned wall on the right, and a cloudy sky overhead, seen from a low angle near a puddle of water with scattered rocks on the ground.
A black and white photo of three people walking on a city street, including a woman in a light-colored coat in the foreground, an older woman holding her arm, and a young man in the background smiling.
People dressed in elaborate costumes with large masks, including a stork mask, at an outdoor festival under cloudy skies.
A street performer lying on the ground juggling three balls while an audience of children and adults watch nearby during daytime.
Black and white photo taken from a low angle of two people, one of whom is a man with short hair and a beard, holding a child wearing a beanie, standing on a city street with tall buildings around in overcast weather.
A young woman in a bright yellow skirt and floral top looking at her phone in a busy city street with many pedestrians and a historic building in the background.
Person in a red jacket and red hat painting a colorful ocean-themed mural on the ground near a beach, seen through a orange life-saving ring.
People waiting for a train at Berlin station with a modern train on the tracks and a glass-roofed station ceiling.
Colorful roller coaster with yellow supports and blue tracks against cloudy sky and nearby building.
Construction site with red safety barriers and striped tape, wooden platform, blue wall, and a roller coaster track in the background under a clear blue sky.
Black and white photo of pigeons standing on pavement near a white wall with peeling paint, casting shadows on the wall. One pigeon is flying with wings spread.
People participating in a fire-themed celebration at night, with some holding torches and fire props.
An older man with a cigarette in his mouth standing outside a shop with a sign that reads 'Snooper Paradise'.
A child with blonde hair holding a handrail on an escalator, with an adult behind them, in a public indoor space with tile flooring. Another person is walking nearby.
A man in a red shirt standing inside a carnival swing ride on a boardwalk by the ocean with a few people in the background and a hot dog stand to the left.
Person walking on a city street near a colorful building with a vibrant geometric mural and large glass windows.
Two beagle puppies on leashes being walked on a sidewalk outside a store with sale signs in the window.
A man and woman walking together in the rain at night, with the man holding an umbrella. The woman is in a coat, and the scene is illuminated by streetlights, with cars driving on the wet road.
Two people are examining a wooden table in front of a red car with an open trunk on a city street.
Person in hoodie crossing a wet city street at night, pointing or signaling, with cars and illuminated storefronts in the background.
Two children in colorful jackets standing behind a wooden railing, observing a large wave crashing against the harbor wall on a cloudy day.
A black and white image of a person walking down a narrow, cobblestone street lined with old brick and stone buildings, with fog in the distance.
Beach with people sitting and standing near the sea, blue and red striped chairs on pebbled shore, seagulls flying, sun shining, and a yellow sign on the left.
Two elderly people riding in a vintage red car, wearing warm clothing and sunglasses, with one smiling.
A person standing against a wall while surrounded by blurred moving people, creating a motion effect in black and white.
Three elderly people with a dog at the seaside, sitting on a bench and using walkers, with the ocean in the background.
A young boy with red hair is playing mini golf on a rooftop, holding a golf club and preparing to hit a ball. The rooftop has graffiti art on the side, and the sky is cloudy.
A man with gray hair taking a photo with a camera on a boardwalk near a beach during sunset.
Reflection of a person taking a photo on a sunlit seaside promenade with people walking and sitting, and a seagull flying above the water.
A person standing inside a brick tunnel with bright light at the exit.
An older man in blue work clothes holds an air hose above a red utility van with a yellow license plate labeled "COL 50K." He is standing on wet asphalt and is carrying a black garbage bag in one hand.
People walking along a boardwalk at sunset, with a tarot consultation cart and a fence near the ocean.
Photo of a white building wall with a large shadow cast across it, a round security camera, and a window with reflections of trees and lights.
A woman sitting inside a cafe near a window, smiling and looking outside, with sunlight illuminating her face. The scene includes a table with a teapot, cups, and a bowl, outside the window shows buildings, a cloudy sky, and string lights.
A tattered Greek flag hanging from a metal railing on a boat, with a calm sea and distant coastline in the background on a sunny day.
Interior of a shop or cafe with supplies on a counter, viewed through a window. Outside, a woman, a man, and two other women stand near a lamppost, with the ocean and a bird perched on the lamppost in the background during sunset.
A woman and a young girl sitting inside a green car, looking at a map, with a backpack in the backseat and the car door open.
A person in a dark coat walking past colorful artwork on a building with large glass windows, and shadows cast by a tree on the wall.
A young boy wearing a blue and white striped shirt with train embroidery, navy shorts, sunglasses, and a police hat walks beside an adult on a brick sidewalk with a teal fence in the background.
A man in a black blazer, white shirt, and cream pants, wearing a straw hat with a black band, standing on an upward escalator and looking at his phone. Behind him, other people are also on the escalator and standing around in a busy indoor setting, p
A glass display case with orange ribbon crisscrossing and tied around it, with sunlight reflecting on the glass and a building visible in the background.

Upcoming Photography workshops

Come along to a 3-hour workshop in Brighton or Lewes! Dive into street photography, learn your camera’s settings, and explore the city through a fresh creative lens. Ideal for beginners wanting practical, hands-on guidance.

Sussex Photography workshops
Lewes Photography Workshop, Saturday 7th February 2026, Sussex
Feb 7
Lewes Photography Workshop, Saturday 7th February 2026, Sussex
Brighton Photography Course, Sunday 8th February 2026
Feb 8
Brighton Photography Course, Sunday 8th February 2026
Landscape Photography Workshop, Birling Gap, Saturday 11th April 2026, Sussex
Apr 11
Landscape Photography Workshop, Birling Gap, Saturday 11th April 2026, Sussex
Landscape Photography Workshop, Seaford Head, Sunday 12th April 2026, Sussex
Apr 12
Landscape Photography Workshop, Seaford Head, Sunday 12th April 2026, Sussex
Cuckmere Haven Landscape Photography Workshop, Saturday 13th June, Sussex
Jun 13
Cuckmere Haven Landscape Photography Workshop, Saturday 13th June, Sussex

Gift Vouchers

Capture stunning images with a 3-hour photography lesson in the heart of Sussex. The perfect gift for photography enthusiasts or anyone eager to master their camera.