If you are a beginner or intermediate photographer, you have probably experimented with night photos, only to stumble upon a number of problems. Despite producing some of the most dramatic images, night photography can be one of the most difficult types of photography to learn and master.
Part of the reason is that many digital cameras fail to perform well in the absence of light, especially natural sources of light. Another struggle most photographers face with this type of photography is learning how to work with elements such as sunrise, sunset, weather conditions and cloud coverage to optimize their shots.
However, with a few key adjustments, such as using longer exposures, playing with apertures and taking control shots, and with a few simple tips on timing, you can successfully capture vivid and beautiful details and capture an exquisite night photo.
1. Be Prepared - It is always best to be as prepared as possible for a shoot, especially a night shot. Knowing where you are going in advance as well as planning your parking and driving time accordingly is often half the battle. You never want to miss a once in a lifetime shot due to traffic on the highway!
If you plan to include either the sun or moon in your shot, knowing the sunset and moon rise times is essential. In addition, if you plan to spend some time on a night shoot, check weather reports and prepare with the appropriate clothing.
As far as supplies go, it is better to be safe than sorry. Bring along water to drink, a bubble level to prevent unbalanced photos, a flashlight to navigate the darkness, bug spray in the warmer months, a cell phone in case of an emergency, a tripod and any necessary light metering equipment. Purchase a camera bag or backpack to carry all of your items safely and comfortably.
Once you have reached your night shot destination and the desired time to shoot has arrived, the following tips and techniques will help you produce excellent night photos.
2. Use Long Exposures - A long exposure is the number one, cardinal rule in capturing powerful night photos. One reason for this is that longer exposures allow more light into the camera, thus revealing the exquisite details of a true night photo. In addition, long exposures allow you to capture motion, such as a trail of car taillights and headlamps zipping by on the highway late at night.
If you are not looking to capture motion in your night portrait, try using a larger aperture with a shorter exposure. On the other hand, choose a small aperture to complement a long exposure if you need to correct an overexposure of any stationary lights.
The problem with using long exposures is that it will reveal camera shake. Even the steadiest hands on the planet cannot hold a camera perfectly still. As a solution to this problem, the use of a tripod is highly recommended. A shutter-release cable will also improve the stillness of your shot, practically to perfection when combined with a tripod. Use a self-timer if your camera is not equipped with cable release.
As far as tripods go, you should have one that is lightweight, durable and portable enough to take with you everywhere you go. The Tiffen Vista Attaras is a versatile, solid aluminum digital photo tripod equipped with 3-position leg locks that allow for leg openings of independent angles. This feature provides for maximum stability regardless of terrain, while a 2-section center column allows for an 11” minimum operating height from ground level. The Attaras will support a load of up to 9 lbs and weighs in at an impressive 4.6 lbs.
3. Use an External Flash Unit– It is a golden rule in night photography to avoid using a flash when taking a shot. There are some exceptions to this rule, however. A perfect example would be a photographer trying to capture a subject in the foreground while elements that reveal motion trails are present in the background. In a case like this, set a long exposure and shine an external flash unit on your subject, having your subject hold still until you snap the photo.
4. Take Control Shots – It is near impossible to capture a night photo without some bad pixels on the image sensor when using a digital camera. Although these defects are hardly detectable in day shots, they can become obvious in a night shot. One way to correct this problem is by using a combination of hot pixels found in control shots and an image-editing program.
A control shot, as you may have learned, is a shot taken with the lens cap on. Therefore, what you will need to do is capture a shot of Scene A as you normally would and then take a picture of the exact scene with the lens cap on. While in an editing program, paste the control shot on top of the original scene as a new layer and change the Blend Mode to “Difference.” This technique should reveal a detailed night photo with the hot spots removed.
5. Take Photos at Dusk and Dawn – Although any photo taken at night can reveal marvelous details, dusk and dawn may be the two best times to shoot. Colors and details are usually easier to capture at the break of dusk and crack of dawn. It may take some experimenting and a little bit of trial and error to find the perfect time to shoot, but the end result is well worth the trouble.
6. Take Multiple Shots – Even if you have taken a large amount of time to set up a shot with complex calculations, taking only one shot is never the best option. Multiple shots increase your chances of capturing a night shot exactly as you have envisioned it in your mind and reduce the chances of being stuck with blurry or dull images. Remember, if you are using a digital camera you can always delete the photos you do not plan to use.
7. Use Nighttime Mode – If your camera has a nighttime mode, usually designated by a graphic of a half-moon, experiment with this setting. Refer to your owner’s manual and learn everything you can about this nighttime setting for optimal results.
8. Increase Your ISO Setting and Reduce Noise – Longer shutter speeds tend to work best in night photography, but often require you to increase your ISO setting to compensate for them. Unfortunately, an increase in ISO will result in more noise in your shots. Digital cameras with a built-in noise-reduction mode may help you take RAW or JPG photos at night and can eliminate the need for removing noise in post-processing.
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