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How to: Shoot night Photography
Tips & Images © Damion Fearron
Tip #1) Choosing the light
Night Photography means that your camera will be using a slower shutter speed to capture the light in order to create your photo. The camera’s shutter speed could be anywhere between one and thirty seconds depending on the available light. Since you're using slower shutters speeds you will need a tripod so that the images will not be blurry. When using a slow shutter speed the slightest movement will blur the photo.
Since the sun isn’t available at night, it doesn’t mean that the pictures have to remain dark. You will have to use the limited artificial light source to your advantage. However, there are still many possibilities for you to light and expose the scene at night the way you’d like to.
© Damion Fearron
Tip #2) Planning
Streetlights are going to be your standard available light at night. A lot of times this light isn’t interesting and or unique, but it does give you some light to work with. So you will have to plan to use the available light from artificial light sources.
In darker areas and where there isn’t a lot of light, the light sources from streetlights or other sources can work pretty well and give a nice spotlight. Plan to use manual mode mostly as well when you’re out capturing night photos as well as a high ISO
© Damion Fearron
Tip #3) Make the most of the available light
Even though the sun is not available, it doesn’t mean that you can’t be creative with the available artificial light, you can create starburst from the light sources by using a lower f stop, usually f16 or higher. By using a smaller aperture, it will ensure a deep depth of field which will give you a sharp photo from the foreground to the background. This will also create the starburst effect and allow you to be a bit more creative on your photo adventure.
© Damion Fearron
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