Lighting plays a crucial role in producing gorgeous photographs. That’s why it can be extra challenging to take a good shot during nighttime. But with some patience, a bunch of expert tips, and lots of practice, you can capture amazing images from dusk ‘til dawn.
1. Don’t use flash
Make sure your camera isn’t in Auto mode. If it is, it will automatically activate the flash in order to compensate for the low light. The result is a dark background and an overly lit foreground.
2. Use a tripod
When you are holding your camera in your hands, you will most likely end up with a blurry image if you use a shutter speed below 1/60 of a second. Shutter speed controls how long your shutter stays open. …show more content…
If it’s made from lightweight material, you can hang something heavy like a bag from it to serve as an anchor of sorts. It is also advisable to use self-timer mode, a wireless remote, or a cable release so you don’t have to press the shutter and cause any unwanted vibrations. Be sure to buy a remote trigger or shutter release that is compatible with your camera model.
3. Manually adjust your white balance
Adjusting white balance allows you to digitally alter color cast and significantly change the look of your nighttime photographs. When shooting city nightscapes, headlights, lampposts, and neon signs will usually bring out a mix of warm and cool lighting. Experiment with different modes until you achieve the exact color you desire.
4. Shoot in RAW format
If you want super high quality photos, it is best to use a DSLR or mirrorless camera and shoot in RAW format. This will allow you to have more options in adjusting exposure, white balance, saturation, and other settings. However, take note that RAW files are uncompressed unlike JPEG images and they tend to take up five to ten times more space. So make sure you’ve plugged in a large memory card before going on your nighttime …show more content…
Soft moonlight interacts with landscapes and brings out so much detail in a photograph. Find out when there is going to be a mostly clear night. On the other hand, sometimes cloud-covered skies can create a more dramatic effect, especially when you use long exposure to show the slow movement of clouds. Also look for a good location, ideally somewhere dark and away from too much light pollution. Try to get there while there is still some sun left so you can familiarize yourself with the place and set up your equipment properly. Test different settings and angles until you get that perfect