I’m as diligent a photographer as they come… as far as taking pictures is concerned. It’s the printing, sorting, and cataloging of photos (all the incredibly time consuming tasks) that I struggle with. I am a horrible procrastinator when it comes to placing prints in photo albums and going through stacks of shots to find ones that are frameworthy. Which is why it is only now that I’m writing this blog on capturing night scenes.
A few days ago I finally got around to printing the photos I took during our family’s trip to the Botanical Garden’s Holiday Festival of Lights. (Mind you these shots were taken more than three months ago.) Obviously, it was a night event, which meant all of the shots were taken in the dark. Some turned out much better than others and I think I figured out what I did wrong in each.
The following are tips to consider the next time you find yourself shooting night scenes:
Use a Tripod. Forget about holding the camera on your own. Unless you have magical powers that give you the ability to remain statue-like it’s unlikely you will have what it takes to stabilize yourself properly. This tip is especially relevant if you are trying to take a night shot during the frigid winter months. It’s hard to steady hands that are shaking due to freezing temperatures.
Use a Self-Timer. If you have a tripod then using a self-timer should be a no-brainer. Cameras move slightly when you press the button to take the picture. By employing the self-timer feature you will give the camera time to readjust after you push the button.
Switch to MANUAL Mode. To insure that you get the best night shot possible place your camera on a tripod then place it in MANUAL mode, and keep your ISO to 400 (there’s no need to increase the ISO beyond 400 when using a tripod). Also, it’s a good idea to open your aperture wider than you would during day shoots, and use a long exposure (night shots often use exposures longer than 10 seconds).
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