We've covered nighttime photography in the past, and after going through some details like long exposure and post processing, we thought it'd be a good idea to welcome newcomers to this type of shooting with some helpful tips.
(Success Tip:Take better photos with this simple deck of cards)
The obvious difference between shooting at night and during the day is the lack of light. Trying to shoot at night with daytime settings will get you a completely black shot. The first step you need to take is pack a tripod. This is a kind of photography that generally requires long exposures that cannot be taken while holding the camera in your hands. A remote control might come in handy as well, but if you don't have one, just use the camera's self-timer.
After you get to the location and mount your tripod, set the camera to manual mode. Leaving it on auto exposure mode could confuse it, especially if you're going to have city lights in the frame. The camera's meter could make the mistake of exposing for those highlights, and leave you with a few lights coming out of a completely dark photo.
(Success Tip #2: Shoot people and get paid for it.)
It's a process of trial and error and getting the correct exposure will require a few test shots. But it's actually a lot more fun than it sounds. It might also be a better idea to focus manually than to let the camera do it. Most cameras, even really expensive ones, will have a little trouble focusing in the dark. It's one those things you can't really change and you have to work with it. Setting the focus to manual will allow you to take multiple shots without the camera struggling to "see”.
For more helpful tips, check out this video posted by MIROHANY.
Learn more about exposure from these recommended books:
- Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with Any Camera
- Digital Photography: Mastering Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO and Exposure
- Bryan Peterson's Exposure Solutions: The Most Common Photography Problems and How to Solve Them