Night photography. Night shooting. What is the difference between an expensive camera and a cheap one?
Watch the play of light, evening and night colors. We associate the night with gloom and darkness, impenetrable emptiness. But in reality, even small settlements at night, many storefronts, lanterns, and car headlights begin to glow. Therefore, familiar things become unusual and mysterious even at night with natural light.
Primarily, night photography- this is the charm of sleeping streets, the play of lights on the surface of the lake, mountain landscapes at sunset. There are many stories. At this time, everything around is changing. Quarters familiar to the smallest detail plunge into twilight, boulevards and squares wink with illumination - the main thing is to learn how to how to take pictures at night to convey it all as effectively as possible.
The subtleties of night photography
This is quite an interesting direction of landscape photography. If during the day the camera “sees” the same picture as we do, then at night everything changes. It often happens that where there is nothing to photograph during the day, after sunset you can get very spectacular pictures. In nighttime surrounding reality is transformed, and a special charm appears in the pictures.
Photographer: Jing Magsaysay.
Photography can be called the art of painting with light, because lighting is decisive here. The amount of light is the main problem. night photography, because it is sorely lacking (by the way, you can learn more about natural light). Our brains and eyes adapt to light so we can see. the world both on a sunny day and in the evening twilight. Let the picture not be identical, but we will see something. And the decrease in the perception of colors at night is perceived by us as a completely normal process.
As to whether how to take pictures at night, everything is more complicated here, because the capabilities of photographic equipment are much more modest. In order not to delve into the wilds of physics and photographic equipment, I will briefly note that the camera matrix or film will be the more susceptible to light, the higher its ISO. A 700 ISO sensor will be 7 times more sensitive to light than a 100 ISO sensor. Therefore, the photographer can make the shutter speed faster, or stop down the aperture more.
The calculation of the amount of light entering the matrix or film, depending on the set aperture value, is carried out according to a more intricate formula. However, for a general understanding of what happens when night photography the above information will suffice. Impatient photographers will ask what the problem is then. In modern cameras, sensitivity can be adjusted through the menu. Set the maximum - and you can photograph night landscapes or shoot portraits!
Photo workshop "Big City".
The problem is still there. You have to pay for everything. If you want to know how to take pictures at night, then prepare for the fact that at the maximum values of sensitivity, noise will appear in the pictures. Physically, any matrix has one sensitivity. Let it be called nominal and equal to 100 ISO. This parameter can be increased electronically.
In other words, the signals coming from the cells are simply amplified. This leads to an avalanche-like increase in the number of noise and defects in the photo. They appear in pictures as gray and colored dots that are randomly scattered across the image. And the photographer gets a whole range of problems - from reduced detail to reduced dynamic range. Moreover, the dependence will be direct, although not linear. Simply put, the greater the sensitivity of the matrix, the more noise in the pictures.
Let's analyze the features of the camera settings for night photography specific advice:
- Be sure to use a tripod for the night session. As a last resort, use a stable surface. At short exposures, lighting will not be enough. And those noises that are formed due to high ISO will be visible very clearly in the dark areas of the picture (there are many of them in any night photo). If you are using a tripod, you need to force stabilizer off, because when using it, the image will “walk” a little, and at slow shutter speeds this will cause blurring.
- Practice on a fully manual photography mode. Neither autofocus, nor the built-in flash, nor exposure metering in such extreme conditions can provide maximum quality. Before how to take pictures at night, set exposure metering to medium light scenes. Do not turn on the flash, as the built-in model is unlikely to illuminate the entire street or objects ten meters away. Most likely, it will simply illuminate a nearby object, leaving all the most interesting in the dark. Focus manually on the main element of the frame.
- ISO, shutter speed and aperture settings. Keep the ISO as low as possible so that the pictures are not spoiled by a copious amount of noise. The sensitivity of the matrix and the aperture ratio of the optics are not critical. The lack of aperture can be compensated by a long exposure. If the camera is on a tripod, the shutter speed does not matter.
- Night photography poses several problems. The biggest challenge when shooting at night is white balance. On the street there are many multi-colored light sources. The most optimal is shooting on auto white balance in RAW format. Then you can correct this parameter during subsequent processing in editors.
- Use tether, remote, or timer with a 2-second delay. If you do not have a cable or remote, before how to take pictures at night be sure to turn on the specified timer mode. The fact is that even pressing the start button can lead to a stir in the images. We also take long exposure photos.
- Sometimes you have to take a shutter speed of more than 30 s. In such cases, we take pictures by turning on the BULB mode (this is a mode in which the shutter speed is not limited by time).
- Sometimes you can still use an external flash, for example, to consciously illuminate objects that are located in the foreground. We do everything according to the familiar scheme. Turn on the flash, set its mode to rear or slow. In the first case, the flash fires at the end and beginning of shooting, in the second - only at the beginning.
Obviously, SLR cameras perform better when taking photographs with long exposures. Then the dynamic range will be better, and the noise level will be lower. But with a soap dish, it is also realistic to achieve relatively good results. Now let's look at the tips above in more detail!
How to set up your camera for night photography
Before how to take pictures at night, we transfer the device to manual mode (M), if it is present. Otherwise, set P - program mode (about creative modes i). ISO set to the minimum to reduce the amount of noise. If the camera supports RAW format, turn it on. This will allow you to correct colors without losing image quality.
Photographer: Dominique Palombieri.
If there is no specified format, we set a white balance that matches the type of light sources. For shooting under the moon or just under the sky, this will be a "cloudy day" (you can also experiment on your own), for street lights - "halogen".
If you want to take high-quality pictures with night photography, you will also need the maximum quality of the file, and this implies shooting in RAW format. Then your pictures will contain a maximum of "information", which expands the possibilities for subsequent processing and correction in the appropriate programs. RAW is important precisely because it allows you to preserve maximum detail in highlights and shadows.
Before how to take pictures at night, set the self-timer on the camera. This eliminates the need to touch the machine while the shutter is being released. When we press the start button, we move the camera, which is unacceptable. Many SLRs have a mirror lockup mode for such cases, in which the shutter is released after a few seconds.
We place the camera on a tripod. It is obvious that it will be unrealistic to keep the camera motionless during the long exposure time. The heavier and more stable the tripod, the better.
Photographer: Matt Molloy.
It’s great if at the very bottom of its central rod there is a hook on which you can hang a load to increase stability. You can even use a backpack or a bag from the device as a weight. During shooting, it is undesirable to support the tripod with your hands.
At night photography on the street, you should forget about autofocus - we don’t rely on it. If you use a soap dish before how to take pictures at night, set the focal length at the short end of the zoom from 2 to about 2.5 meters, and clamp the aperture to 4. In this case, you will get a depth of field from 1.5 meters to infinity.
In the case of using a DSLR, you will have to aim at some bright object located at the right distance. After "hooking" autofocus, switch to focusing manually and no longer touch the lens.
Step-by-step algorithm for shooting at night
Compose the shot properly, fix the tripod head
When working in M-mode, set the aperture and shutter speed. The latter is usually between one and ten seconds (depending on the amount of light available).
Photographer: Dmitry Bilichenko.
The diaphragm must be clamped in the range of 4-5.6. But do not exceed the f11 value, otherwise you will lose image clarity.
Press the trigger
With the correct implementation of the above tips on the topic of how to take pictures at night, the self-timer will operate first. The camera will then remain open for a few seconds. It is important to ensure complete immobility of the equipment.
If the wind blows, stand on the windward side as close as possible to the camera to protect it like a flower from vibrations. Do not stomp your feet near the apparatus, since the vibration is also transmitted through the ground.
After shooting is complete, the camera will process the image for a while to reduce noise. The display will show BUSY at this time. It may even seem that the camera is frozen. Processing will last the longer, the longer the shutter speed was. Wait for completion. After seeing the results on the screen, check the histogram for correct exposure settings. Unfortunately, in terms of contrast/brightness, the display may not display the image correctly.
Photographer: Sarah Vivienne.
It is important to understand that images night photography should remain dark. Before how to take pictures at night, you should not set too long shutter speeds, because even Photoshop will not save overexposed photos. Try to take at least 3 frames per scene, experimenting with light levels so that you have plenty to choose from.
Before the photo session, try to study the capabilities of the camera well - you should not shoot in scene modes. Knowing the ability of the lens and the camera, you will be able to predict the results of the photoset.
An excellent opportunity for self-expression can be shooting night landscapes of the city. You will be able to look at your city in a new way, try to convey its gloomy beauty. At night, people look like ghosts, and the streets turn out to be brilliant black (at slow shutter speeds). Do not limit your imagination, experiment, create new stories. Applying advice on how to take pictures at night, leave room for your own developments.
To night photography proved to be successful, be sure to consider the following: when shooting in busy areas, do not lose your vigilance. After all, the night is not only a time of transformation of the surrounding world, but also a period of activation of criminal elements that may well covet your photographic equipment worth at least $ 600. Therefore, first of all, take care of your safety.
Photographer: Maxim Sudorgin.
That's all for me. In the next article, I will try to offer some ideas and give a couple more tips for night photography. So don't miss out - subscribe to updates!
Night photography, as you know, has its own specifics and often causes significant difficulties for a novice photographer. The dark time of the day is low light filming locations when you need to use long exposures. However, during a long exposure, the hands get tired, and because of this, the camera shifts and “trembles”, and this leads to blurry shots. That is why the main advice that is given to beginners who want to shoot in dark time days is the mandatory use of a tripod. But we are well aware that a tripod is not always at hand, moreover, sometimes it is not possible to carry it with you. How do you get sharp, high-quality photos when shooting handheld at night?
Click to enlarge
Camera fixation
Night photography is poor, insufficient lighting and, consequently, long and very long exposures. If the camera is in hand, then holding it still for thirty seconds or more is an almost impossible task. Unless you use a stable tripod. But what if there is no tripod? Then you will have to adapt the camera to the unevenness of the earth's surface, as well as find various suitable means to securely fix the digital camera with their help. You can lean the camera against not only horizontal but also vertical surfaces. A variety of objects will do: parapets, poles, trees, window sills, fences, earthen ramparts, cabinets... Your task is to provide greater stability and immobility of the camera and thus defeat the notorious "shake". As a handy tool for fixing the camera, a regular belt can also come in handy. It will help to create the necessary tension, working against camera movement during the exposure.
Camera settings for shooting at night
Shooting at night is recommended in manual mode (M), which makes it possible to empirically select the optimal shutter speed and aperture to achieve a high-quality result. The built-in automation of a digital camera "loves" daylight and studio lighting, often getting lost in low light conditions. When shooting in automatic mode, the camera, for example, may suddenly use the built-in flash, which gives a hard light and hits only a few meters, which will only degrade the quality of the photos.
In addition, when shooting on automatic, you run the risk of getting a poorly developed background, since the automatic camera simply cannot know that it is important for a given scene. However, sometimes it turns out to be useful such a scene mode as “night portrait”, which is offered to the user in some models of digital cameras. It can help balance the background and foreground when shooting in low light conditions.
Click to enlarge To get high-quality night shots, it is preferable to take pictures at maximum quality - it is better to set the RAW format if it is supported by your camera. Thanks to this, the captured frames will contain more information in the shadows and highlights, which will give serious advantages when further processing photos in a RAW converter or graphics editor.
As we have already noted, in the dark, you have to use slow shutter speeds in order to get more light on the matrix of a digital camera. But increasing the shutter speed turns into the fact that there is not only a chance to get a blurry photo image, but also to fill it with unpleasant digital noise. As for the "shake", here you have to rely only on your experience and improvised means to securely fix the camera in your hands.
An image stabilization system (based on lens shift in the lens or sensor shift) in such cases can help get a two to three stop gain. However, when shooting late at night, this gain does not solve much. Be that as it may, the included stabilization system can compensate for vibration and, thereby, allow you to increase the "safe" shutter speed by several times. Finding a “safe” shutter speed when shooting handheld at night is one of the most important tasks for a photographer.
When shooting in manual mode, it is recommended to first set the aperture, for example, around f / 16, and then choose the optimal shutter speed, focusing on the readings of the built-in exposure meter. When choosing an aperture, in any case, you should rely on the "golden mean" - as a rule, it is f / 8 or f / 16, but it all depends on the specifics and features of a particular lens. Take a few test shots, then evaluate the results on the LCD screen.
If the photo image is too bright, then you should reduce the shutter speed. If the frame is too dark, the shutter speed, on the contrary, will need to be increased. Built-in electronics often give optimal exposure one or two stops higher than the situation requires. Using the “golden mean” when choosing an aperture and choosing the optimal shutter speed for it, you increase your chances of getting a high-quality, sharp picture without “grain” and digital noise.
It is also worth saying a few words about the operation of exposure metering in the dark. The fact is that the specifics of night photography, for example, in urban conditions, is the presence of light sources that differ in their color temperature and character. On the streets of the night city there is both diffused and reflected light, as well as direct, point light from lanterns. All this creates difficulties for the camera's built-in metering and provides a noticeable increase in the dynamic range of photography - the resulting frames are characterized by high contrast, bright light spots alternate with deep black shadows. In this regard, always try to measure the exposure not by the lightest part of the frame, but by the medium-lit object of the scene. Otherwise, you run the risk of getting absolutely black in those parts of the frame where something actually happened. That is, all the details will simply drown in darkness.
Click to enlarge Flash and focus issues when shooting at night
Only use on-camera flash when you are shooting a night portrait and the subject is close enough to the camera, within three meters. Keep in mind that the built-in flash is not very powerful, and the light from it can be quite hard and flat. Therefore, it is better to use a good external flash, if you have it at your disposal. In addition, at night on the street you can find much more interesting light sources than the built-in flash. For example, a street lamp, bright advertising windows or the light from the headlights of a passing car.
At night, you may also experience problems with focus accuracy. The autofocus system in the dark often starts to make mistakes, otherwise the camera refuses to focus at all when shooting handheld. In this case, it can be advised to switch to manual focus mode and use LiveView mode. Magnify ten times the image on your camera's LCD and then manually focus on the desired subject.
This is the last article in a series in which I tried to analyze the differences between expensive and cheap cameras. In the last article (Why is an expensive camera better than a cheap one. How to choose?), we found out that for ordinary photography in daylight with natural light expensive and cheap compact cameras showed almost the same result. In this article, we will see how our camera heroes behave during evening and night shooting.
Let me remind you that two cameras are involved in our impromptu test. One of them is an inexpensive compact in the price range of 3000-3500 rubles. Its rival is a slightly outdated model. Canon Power Shoot G9. We have already found that in some cases, such as shooting at home with the flash turned off, the more expensive G9 wins in quality due to the larger physical size of the sensor and the larger lens diameter.
In fairness, it should be noted that for an unpretentious user who is not going to sell his photos to photobanks, print them in large formats, but takes pictures for himself in order to mark photos in a home digital album or on a website, you can safely buy a cheap compact camera, the capabilities of which are quite enough.
True, we found out that the photos are quite "noisy", but both the expensive Canon G9 and the budget one suffer from this approximately equally. In order for the pictures to turn out cleaner, without grain and ripples, you need to switch to a higher class of technology. At least for entry-level DSLRs or with a larger matrix and better optics.
After that, it becomes completely incomprehensible why then there are expensive compact digital cameras worth under 20 thousand rubles, if they give out about the same picture as a camera for 3000?
Of course, expensive cameras have their "trump cards up their sleeves". Of course, some fanciful features may not be necessary for the average amateur photographer. For example, it is quite possible to do without a seat for an external flash, which the Canon G9 has and its competitor does not have. I'm not talking about such "absolutely necessary" things as a second screen on the front of the camera to take pictures of yourself, or transfer photos via WiFi. And how can an ordinary amateur photographer do without determining the coordinates of the point where the photo was taken ...
They just stuff everything into an essentially cheap compact to make it expensive and sell it to us. And with what fervor the sellers talk about these "modern" functions, convincing us - the buyers, that we can't live without them today.
However, there are some really useful things about expensive cameras, and one of them I'm going to write about in this article. It's about manual shooting. While preparing the material for this article, I took some test photos and now I'm ready to present them to you for judgment. I hope you draw your own conclusions.
Evening photography in automatic mode
First, let's see how our heroes coped with shooting in full auto mode with the flash turned off at dusk. I took all the photos in this report from the window of my apartment. 15th floor, view of the lake and the road.
Evening landscape. Camera Panasonic DMC-SZ1. Intelligent Mode
As you can see, a greatly reduced picture can still be viewed, but a round area in real scale looks terrible. The shooting was carried out in the so-called intelligent mode, in which the camera itself selects the parameters and sets their optimal ratio. In this case, the following parameters were automatically set: shutter speed - 1/5 sec. ISO 800, aperture - f3.1.
Since the automation had to greatly increase the ISO sensitivity, the picture turned out to be very "speckled", noisy, unsuitable for serious business.
This photo was taken almost immediately after the previous one, only the intelligent shooting mode was replaced with the program " night landscape". The result turned out to be almost the same. The most interesting thing is that all the shooting parameters completely coincided with those of the previous example.
Camera Canon Power Shoot G9. Shooting an evening landscape in automatic mode
But what happened with the Canon G9. Same auto mode, flash off. If you look at general form, it appears slightly sharper than in the previous two photos. However, when considering a photo with a 100% increase, it becomes clear that with increasing clarity it has become more pronounced and digital noise. However, this photo doesn't seem to be as blurry as the Panasonic's.
The shooting parameters set automatically look like this: shutter speed - 1/15 sec, sensitivity - ISO 800, aperture - f2.8. Please note that in this photo, unlike the previous ones, the color saturation is more muted, which is more consistent with the real picture than the photo from the Panasonic SZ1, which is clearly "littered" with blue.
Conclusion: in the automatic mode, with a greatly increased sensitivity of the matrix, digital noise negates the quality of the photo on both expensive and cheap compacts.
But what happens if the camera Canon Power Shoot G9 install manual mode:
Since the Panasonic camera does not have a manual mode, we will not be able to compare pictures. However, when you compare the quality of this image with a photo taken with the same Canon G9 but in auto mode, it becomes clear that manual mode is very useful when shooting in difficult conditions.
The settings were made manually and looked like this: shutter speed - 1/2 sec, sensitivity - ISO 80, aperture - f2.8. To obtain the highest quality image, I had to set the lowest value of sensitivity and aperture that are possible on this model. At the same time, the shutter speed turned out to be quite long - the camera had to be put on a tripod.
Examples of night photos
On the same evening, another series of photographs was taken. First, let's see how the Panasonic DMC-SZ1 camera coped with night shooting:
Here's what he showed us in automatic shooting mode Canon camera Power Shoot G9:
Here everything is the same grain, but the colors are calmer; The picture is more like the original. If you switch the camera Canon G9 in manual mode, then the sensitivity can again be made minimal and, provided that a tripod is used, a clearer picture can be obtained.
Conclusion: Take pictures with manual settings, which is available on high-end compact cameras, allows you to get a better image when shooting in the evening, at night, and also when shooting in a cave, in a word, where there is very little light.
The downside of this advantage is the need to use a tripod, since the exposure time can sometimes reach up to 30 seconds.
And finally, I want to show you what the same night picture looks like in the performance digital DSLR Canon EOS 5D Mark II. Of course, these cameras should never be placed side by side. The gap is too great both in price and in opportunities. However, when I photographed at home with compacts, I decided to snap them with a DSLR just in case. Here's what I got (sorry for the slightly littered horizon - I didn't have a tripod, I had to put the camera on the ledge):
I would like to show you this part:
click on the picture to view full size
The shooting was carried out with a lens. You can see for yourself how the quality of the photo differs from what we saw at the beginning of this article. It got to the point that the numbers of the cars had to be slightly blurred on purpose so that they could not be read. I repeat, the shooting was from the 15th floor.
On this optimistic note, I am ending a series of articles about how expensive cameras differ from cheap ones. I specifically decided to show you samples made by professional equipment so that you might reconsider your position and, having saved up a little, bought a DSLR instead of a soap dish.
Of course, you can listen as much as you like to the opinions of experienced amateurs and, especially, sellers in stores, who will tell us about super-advanced intelligent shooting modes, nanotechnology-based noise suppressors. The apotheosis of such speeches is usually the thought that, they say, "this seemingly unsightly soap dish shoots in quality on a par with a DSLR."
Friends! Let's stop believing in fairy tales. Nothing improves the quality of a photo like a large full-size sensor and a good lens. And although they have already appeared compact cameras with such full-sized matrices, they certainly cost more than three or even thirty thousand.
Remember: in the struggle of intelligent mode with super noise reduction against a large sensor with good optics, the latter always win. At least for now.
Read other related articles:
It is rather difficult to make a beautiful portrait while walking around the city at night due to insufficient street lighting or too bright flickering background in the form of city lights at night.
But still it is possible if you follow our simple tips for photographing people at night .
1. Take appropriate equipment with you:
- reflex camera. It’s quite difficult to make a good portrait at night with a regular digital camera, so if you don’t have reflex camera, rent it from a friend or rent it from a photo shop.
- fast lens with aperture f1.4-1.8. He has no equal in shooting portraits in low light.
External flash. The camera's built-in flash emits a very small amount of light, so you will have to photograph your model at a distance of 1-1.5 meters, and at such a distance, with all your desire, you cannot make a full-length portrait. In addition, the built-in flash gives a rather hard light, which makes the face of the person being photographed visually flat, without pronounced features. 
- flash diffuser. It is not required, but is still preferred if you want the light from the flash to be diffused and soft.
Monopod . You can use a tripod, but carrying it around the city will be inconvenient, so it's better to use a lightweight monopod, plus a remote control for better image stabilization. 
2. Work in aperture priority
It is better to shoot a night portrait in the “Aperture priority” mode. This will make it easier for you to control the blurring of the background, and you won't have to worry about shutter speed anymore, because the camera itself will select its optimal value. 
3. Use an external flash
It is better to take pictures at night with an external flash at a distance of two meters from the subject, but no further than five meters. In this case, be sure to pay attention to the power of the flash. Too much flash puff at close range can whiten the model's face. To avoid this, use a flash diffuser or simply adjust its output by referring to the camera menu. There is another option: point the flash not at the model itself, but at a white wall or a photo reflector located on the side of the model. 
4. Creative approach or how to make a truly beautiful night portrait?
Do you want to take a truly beautiful night portrait? Find a suitable shooting location first. It can be a street well lit by lanterns, a bridge from which the night city is clearly visible, or the central street of the city, where the flow of cars does not decrease even at night. Place your model so that the night city lights are behind her and subsequently turn into the same beautiful background as in the photo below.
Next, adjust the camera so that you get the same beautiful effect bokeh :ISO highest value(800 - 1600 units), maximum open aperture (f1.4 - f3.5), shutter speed (if you shoot in manual mode) 1/20 - 1/30 sec., focus mode - single point.
5. Shoot a night portrait without a flash
Unfortunately, not all novice photographers have external flash, so many of them use the built-in one, after putting a homemade white paper diffuser on it. We suggest you abandon this idea and shoot a night portrait without a flash, because it can be replaced with bright city lighting, car headlights, and even an LED flashlight. And to avoid blurring the image, use a tripod or monopod. 
Greetings, dear readers! In touch, Timur Mustaev. Do you still only take pictures during the day? Then we go to you!
I cannot but agree that shooting on a clear, sunny day promises success in business, but hiding at home at dusk, is it really the lot of an enthusiast?
Shooting with a DSLR in the dark can be an adventure, resulting in great shots.
Regardless of the level of skill, any amateur photographer is obliged to convey the surrounding atmosphere of the night and his own attitude to what is happening through the picture.
Often, natural light conditions do not allow you to fully work, which pretty much spoils the mood and discourages the desire to shoot something.
But how to be? How to take pictures at night, in low light, while fulfilling the direct task of the photographer?
You will find the answer to this and other questions in today's article.
Night shooting
However, the darkness is arranged in such a way that it absorbs everything around, so it is impossible to take a high-quality photo without special settings and accessories.
Let's analyze the features of setting the camera for the dark time of the day
When going to a night photo shoot, remember that shooting without is impossible, since poor lighting conditions require an increase in the value of and , which can provoke the appearance of shaking and, accordingly, blurring the frame.
Before photographing, set exposure metering for fragments with medium illumination.
As already mentioned, shoot without a flash (we are talking about the built-in one), because it will illuminate absolutely not what you would like, leaving the important in the dark.
Tighten the focus yourself, aiming at the main subject of the shooting. This is if you use manual focus, which is most correct at night, since autofocus can fail due to lack of light, and simply will not focus.
Set the ISO value to the lowest possible under the given conditions in order to reduce the likelihood of "wild" noise appearing in dark areas of the frame. For example, for cameras with an ISO value above 800, it is fraught with noise.
There are many multi-colored light sources on the street, such as the moon, lanterns, shop windows, car headlights, attractions, etc. The best solution in this case is shooting on AWB (auto white balance).
All color distortions can later be corrected in any photo editor by mixing the sliders to the desired value.
In addition to a tripod, use a cable release or remote control.
If you don't have these add-ons, be content with what you have, which is: turn on the timer mode with a two-second shutter release delay.
Thus, the need to press the shutter release button will disappear by itself, thereby avoiding physical impact on the camera, which leads to shake.
To reduce the degree of camera shake, you can also use the "Mirror Lock-Up" function, which lives deep in the settings. This mode allows you to raise the mirror in advance of the descent.
It is advisable to take pictures in , this will help you better edit your photo.
Choice of location. Night composition
Before you go to a night photo shoot, scout out the situation, find a good shooting point, and evaluate the degree of illumination of the object.
If you plan to shoot architecture, be sure to analyze the traffic and the degree of congestion on the streets.
In other words, find the best place where the lights of the night city will look the most advantageous.
Think carefully about the scene before pulling the trigger. Which parts of the frame are in the dark, which, on the contrary, are too overexposed? How is it beneficial to display it in a photo?
Don't be afraid to use the zoom or change the shooting point by moving from one place to another.
It is important to find a happy medium, both in lighting and composition, so as not to cut off certain parts of the subject.
Use the reflectivity of water, which can double the amount of lights and colors in a photo.
Even in winter, the reflection of light from wet asphalt or ice can diversify even the most ordinary, random shot.
How to shoot people at night?
It is a mistake to think that photographing people at night is possible only with a flash, since natural light from lamps and various LEDs will give photographs an interesting, natural look, such as we are accustomed to seeing with our own eyes.
However, if your plan is to shoot people in the bushes (so they can't see you), the shutter speed should be as fast as possible to capture and stop motion.
To stop the movement, as a rule, you need a fast lens with high sensitivity (aperture - f / 1.4-1.8).
Sensitivity is adjusted using ISO, the higher its value, the less light is needed for accurate exposure of the photo.
To capture a person in a stationary state, set the aperture to a minimum, the shutter speed to 1/15, for a person who is in dynamics - from 1/60 to 1/500, the ISO value is up to 1600.
Raising ISO above 800, be prepared to see grain in the photo.
If we talk specifically about the portrait, then here the average values of the camera will be as follows. ISO 100-200, shutter speed, approximately 1/15, aperture 1.8-3.5. Be sure to have a tripod, a cable release and preferably a diffuser.
Car in the frame. Advantage or disadvantage of the photographer?
Any auto and motorcycle transport is able to destroy the overall composition of the picture in the daytime. But what happens at night?
The light from the headlights and stops are projected onto the photo as multi-colored ribbons that permeate the entire picture.
This effect allows you to get quite an artistic photo, as well as make the highway the main filming location.
To achieve multi-colored ribbons, you need to set a slow shutter speed, about 20-30 seconds. (Of course, it is important to use a tripod and a remote control for the shutter release). To do this, it is better to use (Tv - Canon, S - Nikon), or (M). In both modes, we set the ISO to the minimum, 100-200. In the second mode, the aperture can be opened within the range of 7.1-11, if necessary, you can set an even larger value, that is, close the aperture aperture minimally.
It is better to shoot from above, for this purpose a pedestrian bridge or the roof of a high-rise building located next to the highway is perfect.
When and how to use flash?
Photos taken with the built-in flash can be deeply disappointing.
light from given source, "hit on the forehead", making objects and subjects overexposed, and the background littered with darkness. Hard shadows appear.
The flash will play an important role in portrait shooting, in low light conditions from lanterns, lamps, storefronts, etc., and then, provided that an external one is used.
In this case, it is better to use, (softbox) to make the complexion more natural, without obvious overexposure.
You can also shoot a portrait in slow sync mode. This can be set either in the camera settings or in the external flash settings.
To enable slow synchronization, for example, on the Nikon d5100, you need to select the "Slow" mode in the flash settings, and on the canon 600d also in the settings.
conclusions
As you understood from the above, shooting at night is not only possible, but also vital for becoming a photographer.
CAUTION: Such an experiment can drag you into the wilds of nightlife with your head.
I hope you understand, and I conveyed my idea to you, when you are afraid, everything seems quite complicated, when you do, everything seems very simple. Practice more and you will definitely succeed.
If you are having trouble with your reflex camera and you need help, you can watch the video course - Digital SLR for beginners 2.0. I am more than sure you will find all the answers about your DSLR in it.
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All the best to you, Timur Mustaev.
