Night Photography

Kelliann Keaney :: class of 2015

Night photography is important and necessary for every photographer to explore. Using digital cameras we will explore the night landscape and the capture things that are never seen with the naked eye—like colored of reflected light in the sky, movement, and light trails. Night photography is beautiful and fun and can really change the way you view the world at night, but it does require a little patience and a lot of trial and error. 

Assignment:
Shoot 50 frames of night photography focusing on three different aspect of night photography: Long Exposure, Night Portraits, and Painting with Light (approximately 15-20 of each). Some of your photographs will incorporate 2 or more elements, like a night portrait could also be a long exposure. 

Here are some approximate camera settings to keep in mind:

Long Exposure: Use an ISO of 200 or 400 and bring your f/stop higher (f/8-f/16) and start with a long shutter speed (10-30 seconds).
Painting with light: Very similar settings to long exposure but may need the longer exposure times (try BULB setting) to capture words or shapes that are being created. You can use a lower f/stop for this one. 
Night portrait: Just like with a day portrait you will need a low f/stop (as low as the camera can go) and make sure you are shooting at 1/60th or higher for your shutter speed if you are hand holding the camera. I would try to keep the ISO as low as possible (400-800) but you can go higher if you just don't have enough light. You can also try a longer exposure night portrait but make sure both you and your subject are very still.

Steps:
• Shoot in RAW format because it will offer more flexibility for improper exposures
• Change your setting according to what you are photographing and work from there because the settings will be different depending on how much light is available where you are photographing.
• Tripod: You need to keep your camera as steady as possible, so unless you can find a ledge, wall, post, or car hood that you can set your camera on you’ll need a tripod. 
• Self Timer: your camera has a self-timer mode, which will give your camera enough time to settle after you press the button to hopefully not cause any movement in your shot. If you can't find the mode on your camera then google it!  
• Focusing: Most cameras will have some difficulty focusing using auto-focus because there is simply not enough light. Switch your camera to manual mode (usually on the lens) if your camera is having trouble.