Night Photography

Materials:

-Camera
-Tripod
-Flash Unit (for light painting)
-Colored Theater Gels (also for light painting)
-Camera Remote (not required)
-Extra Batteries

Intro:

Night photography is a photography technique involving using a tripod and setting a long exposure time on your camera to take pictures after dark.  It is best done with an SLR, but almost any camera can be used.

Setup:

Note: The guide is written for SLR cameras, specifically my Nikon D70, but it shouldn't be too hard to figure this out on other cameras.  Keep in mind that most point-and-shoot cameras do not have manual focus.  Consult your camera manual for help.

Set up your tripod at your chosen location.  Attach your camera.  Twist the mode selection dial to "M" for manual mode.  This gives you complete control over the shutter speed and f/stop.  If you have an SLR with an autofocus lens, locate the "AF/M" switch on the camera lens.  Switch the lens to manual mode so you are able to focus the lens by hand.  If you have a shutter release remote for your camera, it can prove to be useful in reducing camera shake, which is not something you want in your shot.  You can find a remote for your DSLR at your local camera shop or online.  Consult your camera manual on how to set up and use the remote.

Lighting:

Night photos can be lit by moonlight, street lights, flashlights, and camera flash units, among other things.  If you decide to use a flash unit, do not attach it to your camera.  The flash is used handheld, activated by the small test button on the unit itself.  Various colored theater "gels" can be used to create different lighting moods.  Go to your local theater supply store and ask them for a gel sample book.  You hold these gels over the flash while you activate it via the test button.  Using a flash unit or flashlight is a technique often called "light painting".

Shooting:

Once you have your tripod and camera set up you are ready to shoot.  Like always, pick your shot.  Set your shutter speed to anywhere from 10 to 30 seconds or longer to play around and get a feel for the right speed for your shot.  If you rotate your shutter dial all the way to the "bulb" setting, this allows you to open and close the shutter with each press of the shutter release button.  If you use the bulb setting, it is good to bring a stopwatch with you so you can time your shots.  f5.6 and ISO 100 are good aperture and ISO speeds to start with.  Dont forget to focus your shot.  Depending on how dark the area is, a small flashlight shone on your subject while you are focusing the shot may make it much easier.

Conclusion:

It isn't hard to find a good location, many places you wouldn't think of shooting during the day make great locations after dark.  Go out and have a good time fiddling with your camera and night photography.  Once you get the hang of it, shooting after dark is great fun.

Check out http://www.thenocturnes.com/workshops.html for classes on night photography.