Tips for Night Shots Please

snaphappycat

snaphappycat

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Neil
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Hi,

I attempted my first night shots today of a long apartment block with lots of coloured glass panels. I set the ISO to 800, (the camera seemed to like that) shooting in A mode. I haven't had time to review them on my computer yet as I'm still at work and hope they come out well but I was lost with knowing what focus and metering mode to use, it there any general rules when it comes to grand shot of buildings at night?

Thanks
 
In low light... manual focus (using live view), manual exposure, tripod and remote shutter release would be the ideal set-up. Using the lowest possible ISO.

I usually guess the exposure and chimp shooting digital at night, you get a feel for it after a while. You can always take a test shot with a higher ISO and shorter shutter speed to check the overall exposure, and then adjust to an equivialent low ISO exposure for the money shot.

Shooting film at night, I usually go by the Fred Parker guide.
 
snaphappycat said:
Thanks very much for the tips! Manual Focus didnt actually enter my mind.
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With a fast lens and live view you can often manual focus in near-pitch black conditions. If you struggle, use a torch to illuminate your point of focus whilst you compose. I know some people use a torch to aid auto-focus, but I find manual easier.
 
Alastair said:
With a fast lens and live view you can often manual focus in near-pitch black conditions.
Click to expand...

My live view is a viewfinder :-(

If you struggle, use a torch to illuminate your point of focus whilst you compose. I know some people use a torch to aid auto-focus, but I find manual easier.
Click to expand...

That's what I do, though it's not a large torch, what I have also done is the reverse sort of. i.e. put the torch where I want to actually focus pointing back at the camera, focus on that point, recompose and put the lens on manual.

All assuming you can put the torch on the object in the first place and obviously only works on static subjects.
 
Depends what look you are going for. With night photography, I am a huge fan of long exposure. This helps with ISO, you can set your ISO lower and set your shutter speed longer (depending on the look of course). It's a compromise triangle, Aperture - Shutter - ISO

The torch is a very good way to gaining focus, if not the only way. If you use a flash, depending on the flash, it'll send out a beam of light or fire a small burst of flash, this enables the camera to focus.

Hope this helps
 
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