6 Tips for Night Photography

All too often we put our cameras away when the sunsets. I know I am guilty of this because I use natural light in 99% of my photos. However, I encourage you to take some time this week to practice night photography.

There are so many different type of photos you can capture at night time.
1. Slow shutter speed. Play with lights to paint images or use the tail lights of cars to show movement.

ISO 100, f/22, SS 6 seconds

ISO 800, f/32, SS 20 seconds

2. Use different light to illuminate your subject. It’s really fun to use different types of light in your images during night photography. When shooting at night you have the option to use all sorts of lights to add a dramatic look. You can use electronics, light from another room, or even light from the refrigerator.

ISO 3200, f/2.8, SS 1/100

ISO 6400, f/3.2, SS 1/100

ISO 1600, f/3.5, SS 1/80

3. Use a tripod and keep your ISO low. When you are not shooting a moving subject get your tripod out. This will allow you to keep your ISO as low as possible and decrease your chances of noise. I have a fantastic travel tripod that is light weight and has a ball head. If you don’t have a tripod available, rest your camera on something sturdy. If you are using the side of the bridge like I have before make sure the strap is around your neck incase you drop your camera. :O) However, if you are photographing people or moving objects please bump up your ISO so your photo is properly exposed.

Tokyo Disney does not allow tripods, used a bush and a back pack. ISO 250, f/32, SS 25 sec.

4. Capture the activity that goes on at night. If you are out you can still capture the activity of a festival or the quiet of a street.

ISo 800, f/3.2, SS 1/100

ISO 100, f/4, SS 0.6 seconds

5. Use your imagination. Have you thought of an emotional picture that would only enhance the image if taken at night with dramatic lighting??

ISO 6400, f/2.8, SS 1/160

6. Change your metering mode to evaluative (Canon) or matrix (Nikon). Since you probably shoot on spot metering 99% of the time you want to change your night time shots to this setting. Unlike spot metering, this mode takes all the light and dark into consideration when figuring out your exposure.

ISO 200, f/4.5, SS 4 seconds

I challenge you to keep your camera out after the sunset this week. What will you capture? Will you step outside your comfort zone??
source:http://clickitupanotch.com/2011/09/6-tips-for-night-photography/#_a5y_p=1156140