by True Blue

Created on: May 27, 2009

The secrets of digital night photography, are that there really are no secrets. Photography is all about trial and error, and practice making perfect. Even professionals don't really have secrets, just a lot of experience in the field which allows them to know when to use certain equipment or settings. What camera, lens, filter, flash, white balance, ISO, aperture, shutter speed, f stop, exposure and framing to use, becomes almost automatic.

Just like riding a bike, once you know, it's easy. The challenge is getting to know, and that's what normally feels like such a daunting task. There are rules though or rather guidelines that if followed ensure you're on the right path. Taking photos during the night isn't easy to learn about because there are many variables to consider and remember.

Night scenery.

Is generally better with a tripod, preferably a remote, without a flash, a low ISO and a long exposure, depending on how brightly the scenery is you can use anything from the bulb, which is instinctual, or 20 seconds to 3 seconds, with a high F-stop.

Street scenes and traffic trails.

Streets are quite well lit, so still using a tripod and remote set your camera up where there's lots contrast to the colour of the traffic. Frame the scene using the rule of 3rds. Settings can vary quite a bit depending on the lighting. Flash off, low ISO 50 is good for colour detail and test your camera with different exposures, F-stops, to get the effects you want.

Indoors.

Parties for the most of us is the only indoor photography without the use of a light, or when we're are out in a club, or bar situation. You are normally faced with lots of lasers and dancers and DJ's with no light or very low light situations. Use a good external flash, with fully charged batteries. As the flash can be very severe, use a diffuser or a bounce card, angling the flash towards the ceiling or at a 45degree angle which offers a softer, more appealing image.

A hand strap is advisable but not a necessity. What is important is a high ISO, anything from ISO800 - to ISO6400, and good Image Stabilization Lens. A mid to high f. stop and a 1 or 2 shutter will do for most shots. The more you experiment the better. Choose your subjects with colourfully lit backgrounds and get in as close as you can so that you can get face and torso. Depress the auto focus button down halfway while focusing on the subjects eyes. When your camera indicates that you have locked on focus, tilt the camera down a little so that you can see their head at the top of the screen rather than the middle, with their waistline at the bottom and a nice margin of colour around them in the background. Then fully depress the button and keep as still as possible.

If you move, move with the subject till you hear the shutter. There is a way of artistically enhancing the picture by purposefully moving your camera in all directions once the flash has fired, before the shutter closes.

Photography is an art form, and in order to be any good at it you've got to enjoy learning, and creating. Have fun with it and it will reward you. Do not be afraid to try new things and experiment with the settings.

Learn more about this author, True Blue.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.