Night Photography

Night photography is one of the trickiest things to master.  Not just because the subject is hard to find but also because the shadows will make it more difficult for the amateur photographer to take a good shot. Here are some tips that any photographer can use to improve their night photography.

Safety

The first thing of course that all photographers need to remember is to choose the location well. Remember that you will have valuable equipment with you and not all locations are safe, and some cities are very dangerous at night. If possible, do your planning and night-shoot with a friend who can keep an eye out whilst your focusing on getting that great shot.

Spares

Batteries often run out quicker in cold conditions, so it is best to carry an extra.  If you haven’t  got spares, make sure you fully charge your batteries before going out on the photo-shoot. You should also use a good case for your camera gear as moisture during the night can easily get through to your camera.

Other equipment

For night work, it is best to use a camera with manual exposure settings, preferably an SLR (single lens reflex). Automatic cameras are not ideal, as they are not powerful enough to fight the darkness. You;ll also need a sturdy tripod with a non-slip feet to keep it stable.

A cable release is also really useful as long-exposures are often being used, for instance when taking photos of fireworks.

Exposures

One important thing that any photographer must remember in night photography is the fact that longer exposures are needed for black and white photos compared to ordinary lighting. 

Use of flash

Unless there is a strong moon, most photographers will supplement the light with a hand-held flashes, a technique known as “painting with light.” Other more sophisticated ones may also use movie lights and torches as additional lights.