Darren Sacks is a UK-based photographer whose work centers on graphic composition, bold color and subtle traces of human presence. Rather than capturing faces directly, he suggests a human element through silhouettes, shadows and fleeting gestures that move through the frame.
His images often begin with a strong visual structure, shaped by light, form or reflection, which evolves as people move through the scene. Color and contrast are central to his visual language, adding depth, rhythm and energy to each frame. Most of his work is shot in Central London, particularly around Soho, Chinatown and Green Park. We caught up with him to learn more about the camera and lenses he relies on – keep reading as he shares what’s in his bag.
Shop This Kit:
Camera: Alpha 7 IV
Lenses: 85mm f/1.8, 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6
Camera
Alpha 7 IV: The Alpha 7 IV is a powerful tool for the way I like to shoot. Its autofocus is exceptional and when I need to lock onto a subject on the street it simply does not miss. At the same time, a lot of my work relies on manual focus because it gives me the fine control I need when working with layers, reflections and more deliberate compositions. Having both reliable autofocus and precise manual control makes the camera extremely versatile, and I move between the two depending on the scene.
Photo by Darren Sacks. Alpha 7 IV. 85mm f/1.8. 1/500-sec., f/22, ISO 5000
I appreciate how the camera is laid out and how customisable the controls are. Mapping key functions to the buttons means everything I need falls naturally to hand. The low light performance is another huge advantage as I really enjoy photographing at night and the sensor handles those conditions fantastically. I also often shoot in the rain and the weather sealing has held up through long sessions on the streets.
Photo by Darren Sacks. Alpha 7 IV. 85mm f/1.8. 1/500-sec., f/7.1, ISO 800
The built-in Super 35 crop mode adds even more versatility and it feels almost like having two lenses in one. While cropping in post is always an option, composing directly in the viewfinder at the tighter focal length is a different experience.
Photo by Darren Sacks. Alpha 7 IV. 85mm f/1.8. 1/500-sec., f/3.2, ISO 800
Lenses
85mm f/1.8: This is my go to lens and my everyday walk around choice. It rarely leaves my camera and has been my only lens for the last two and a half years. It is fast, lightweight and sharp, which is everything I need for the way I like to work. The fact that all my photographs over this period have been made using just the Alpha 7 IV and the 85mm f/1.8 should give you an idea of how versatile and reliable this pairing is.
Photo by Darren Sacks. Alpha 7 IV. 85mm f/1.8. 1/250-sec., f/8, ISO 400
28-70mm f/3.5-5.6: This is a newer addition to my kit and it has already proven itself to be incredible value. It is a lightweight, compact and versatile daytime zoom that produces great results. On recent trips to Amsterdam and Berlin I really enjoyed using it as a flexible walk around lens.
Photo by Darren Sacks. Alpha 7 IV. 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6. 1/8000-sec., f/4.5, ISO 100
Accessories
Extra Battery & Memory Cards: Always good to have extras while out photographing.
K&F ND Filter: For versatile light control.
Snacks: For those long photo walks.
Photo by Darren Sacks. Alpha 7 IV. 85mm f/1.8. 1/250-sec., f/1.8, ISO 250
See more of Darren Sacks’ work on Instagram @sacks.
