Night Photography Tips

Be sure to bring extra layers in the winter, and bug spray in the summer if you intend to be outside for a period of time. Be sure to bring a tripod and spirit level too, to make sure your shot is straight and true. Have a phone with you, and of course a torch.

Shutter Speed

If you want to keep your subject figure clear adjust up your shutter speed. Your camera is likely to be set too slow to get a decent image in the dark and the risk of shake and movement is greater. However, if you want to create a blurred image such as a faceless crowd or cars speeding past, reduce your shutter speed.

Keep on Going

Take many photos, this is a rule for almost all types of photography, but in the dark where you can’t fully see you may miss something really special!

Get There Early

Pictures taken around dawn and dusk hold particular qualities you won’t find at any other time of day. There is approximately a 90 minute span when the Sun is rising or falling which can produce truly spectacular results. Check the local papers or website to find out when the Sun rises and sets to make sure you can plan your timing effectively.

The Flash

It may seem an obvious tool when experimenting with night photography, but a flash is not always necessary. The flash relies on having something to bounce light off in order to work effectively, so over any expanse such as a landscape or seascape shot it simply will not work. Try using a torch, a bicycle lamp, streetlamps, even the moon, as alternative light sources.