Night Photography

Photography is one of the most reputable leisure time activities with millions of individuals all over the globe practicing it as a hobby, a passion and as a profession. There are various types of photography which can be undertaken including daytime photography, space photography, paranormal photography, photojournalism or even night photography. Each type has different requirements and produces different quality images, hence allowing for varying perceptions.

Night photography is one of the most phenomenal types which many photographer practice and strive to succeed in. Often however there are many problems encountered, as there are various things to be considered for night photography.
One of the most commonly occurring issues are related to light source. Many photographers often carry with them a portable or attachable light source such as a flash or an umbrella or parasol reflector to help shed light in their frames. Although these are sufficient, the natural perception of the subject being photographed is essentially lost due to additional factors such as the light, altering it.
Neon lights, street lamps, stars and the moonlight, are all natural sources of light that helps enhance photographs to a new level. Capitalizing on such natural elements not only creates a more realistic image but also allows the photographer to be free from additional equipment.
Although light is very useful in night photography, a lens hood is fundamental. A lens hood helps contain the light only in the frame thus preventing lens flare and excessive light entering at different angles.

Although most photographers believe their hands are steady and they are able to capture subjects instantly without compromising the quality of their photographs, a tripod should be generally used. Tripods help focus and sustain different angles allowing complete flexibility to capture a subject.

Wide-angle lenses are another primary element to consider in night photography. These help optimize the variety of shots that can be taken with a DSLR. Although this option is up to each individual’s personal preference, having a number of lens including telephoto, macro, fish eye and panoramic lens is a bonus. Although the simple convex lens is sufficient in most cases, to produce premium quality photographs these additional lenses are recommended.

Modern DSLR cameras offer digital features which allow automatic photography however to achieve premium quality photographs which are composed to your personal requirements, manual photography is highly suggested. Although it requires a higher attention to detail and ample time to perfect, the photographs produced are tailored to your personal conceptual vision. In order to improve your manual photography it is suggested you always check and alter your aperture levels and the shutter speed of your camera according to the amount of clarity and exposure you require in the photograph. It is also recommended that you alter your ISO (sensitivity) usually to 100 during night photography and vary that up to 1600 depending on your personal requirements.

Photography is one of the most enjoyable leisure activities for a reason as it allows for a dynamic and fun creative outlet. So next time you’re out and about shooting at night, take these tips into account and you can guarantee a significant improvement in your photography.