How we read light to get this photo of Pastor Charlie Dates
This week’s top photo comes from Visual Journalist Zubaer Khan. Follow him on Bluesky and Instagram.
What makes this photo great?
What I really like about this photo is how the natural light falls on the Rev. Charlie Dates, creating a mood that feels dramatic and intimate at the same time. The contrast between the warm highlights and deep shadows adds depth, drawing attention to his presence — not to mention his striking blue suit and red pocket square — to create a visually compelling portrait.
How did you get the shot?
I was given some time after arriving at the church to scope out potential locations for portraits, which is not a luxury I often have. My first instinct was to look to the pulpit, and think of how I can capture Rev. Dates in his element.
But as I was looking through my viewfinder to imagine the shot, my eye caught a small window in the corner of the church. I had passed it when walking in, without noticing, but I could see the beautiful afternoon sun coming in, shining directly on only the first pew, and I knew that I would have to use that light for my portrait.
After that, it was just a matter of getting him to sit in a way that he could look natural and catch enough of the light to make the image work. We made conversation as I worked and had him move around, and after a few minutes, he eased into a relaxed posture that I felt captured his natural energy.
Equipment: Sony A7III with a Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 lens
Focal length: 50 mm
Aperture: f/4
Exposure: 1/100
ISO: 800
18 more great photos from the Sun-Times staff
Vehicles travel through the Jane Byrne interchange in Chicago Wednesday, March 12, 2025.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Field Museum workers and supporters picket outside the Field Museum at 1400 S Lake Shore Dr, Wednesday, March 12, 2025. Museum workers are protesting low wages at the museum.
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Amy Lendian (left) and her wife Anne Barela, who recently moved to Chicago from Florida, stand together in their home in Lincoln Square, Tuesday, March 11, 2025.
Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Groups of people walk, jog and cycle along the Lakefront Trail near North Avenue Beach enjoying the warm weather with the highs reaching the upper 60s, Monday, March 10, 2025.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
The lunar eclipse reaches its peak, Friday, March 14, 2025.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Vanessa Rollins, a former general engineer for the Internal Revenue Service, sits outside the John C. Kluczynski Federal Building in the Loop, where she used to work, Thursday, March 6, 2025. Rollins, who started working for the IRS in July 2024, was recently laid off.
Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Billy Corgan (left) looks down as avery r. young jokes about both of their shoes during the announcement of the upcoming year of shows at the Lyric Opera at 40 N. Wacker Drive in the Loop, Tuesday, March 11, 2025.
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Daniela Mack, performing as Frida in “ El Ultimo Suenos de Frida and Diego” sings a part from the opera at the announcement of the upcoming year of shows at the Lyric Opera at 40 N. Wacker Drive in the Loop, Tuesday, March 11, 2025.
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias stands on a balcony at Navy Pier before joining Sasha Ann-Simons in the studio at WBEZ for Reset, Tuesday, March 11, 2025.
Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias (right) takes a selfie with Lisa Cadag, public service representative, at the unveiling of the Real ID super center at 191 N. Clark St in the Loop, Tuesday, March 11, 2025.
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Chicago police work the scene where a 20-year-old man was shot while on a CTA bus located in the 7900 block of South Drexel Avenue in the Chatham neighborhood, Thursday, March 13, 2025.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Crews board up shattered glass in the arrival area of O’Hare International Airport’s Terminal 2, where a gunman shot another man during a fight early Wednesday, March 12, 2025.
Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Mayor Brandon Johnson presides over a Chicago City Council meeting at City Hall, Wednesday, March 12, 2025.
Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Kwame Boateng, who won second place, claps for first place winner Beatriz Whitford during the 2025 Citywide Spelling Bee Championship at Marie Sklodowska Curie Metropolitan High School in Archer Heights, Thursday, March 13, 2025.
Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Damien Kennedy reacts during the 2025 Citywide Spelling Bee Championship at Marie Sklodowska Curie Metropolitan High School in Archer Heights on Thursday, March 14.
Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Inha Ruda, a Ukrainian who is on Temporary Protected Status and a satellite offices coordinator at Selfreliance Association, stands outside the St. Joseph Ukrainian Catholic Church, where community events for the Ukrainian community are sometimes held, Thursday, March 6, 2025.
Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Maggie Drury sketches in her sketch book as people walk and jog by along the Lakefront Trail near North Avenue beach, enjoying the warm weather as highs reach the upper 60s, Monday, March 10, 2025.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Winner Lorraine O’Malley cheers as she is announced the winner of a trip to Ireland during the annual Irish Soda Bread Contest at Reilly’s Daughter in Oak Lawn, Ill., Saturday, March 8, 2025.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok