Some people from the forum asked me how to shoot night shots.
Therefore, I decided to write this post.
It’s not easy to get high quality photos for night photography.
Most of the time, we’ll come across limits on the camera and its software that need to be overcome. Fortunately, we have digital cameras, so we can see any mistake right now and we can correct it for the next photo shoot.
For me, I have used the full manual mode for night photography, as automatic exposure measurement tends to lighten images. Automatics don’t know it’s night shots.
When traveling, I use a compact Fujifilm X100T camera with a fixed 35mm, f2.0 lens that has no image stabilization.
Because it is a travel photo I do not use a tripod.
But It is alternative to use a tripod when you have the time.
You can use longer shutter speeds to capture movement and render light trails.
The basic setting I start shooting with is:
f: 3.5
time: 1 / 60s
ISO: 800 - 1600
flash: off
If I have people in front and their faces are shaded or backlit, I turn on the flash and set up flash correction to -1.0 EV.
It is important to check the image after it is photographed to match the reality as we see it.
Also check the right focus on display at 100% size.
When the light is low and the image is dark, I adjust the exposure parameters as follows:
f: 2.2 - 2.8
time: 1 / 30s
ISO: 1600 - 3200
flash: off
This setting is usually enough for quality night city shots when handheld camera.
If you have a camera with optical stabilization, you can use the following settings:
f: 3.5
time: 1 / 8s
ISO: 400 - 800
flash: off
With lower ISO, you get better noise-free images.
The best time for night photography is before full darkness when the sky is still dark blue.
The settings are similar in Mobile Camera & Dedicated camera:
-
Aperture = Since, this is mostly fixed in Mobile Camera ( Between *f/*1.5 to 2.4 = fairly Good value).
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Shutter speed = is adjustable in Manual Mode = say, 1/5 to 1/60 or so…
-
ISO = again is adjustable; I recommend values above 200, but in mobiles cameras, let the high Limit be within 800, if possible; however, ISO above 1600 will be very noisy.
Here are some examples from my portfolio:
Budapest - parlament building. F2,5 exp.1/60s, ISO1000, flash off
Istanbul center F4,0 exp.1/30s, ISO3200, flash on
Venezia - Grand canale - gondoliers F4,0 exp.1/60s, ISO2000, flash off
Venezia - Grand canale - view from Rialto bridge F2,8 exp.1/30s, ISO3200, flash off
Budapest - Robot bar F2,0 exp.1/30s, ISO1250, flash off
Istanbul Hagia Sophia F4,0 exp.1/10s, ISO3200, flash off
Tripod shot from TravellerG: SONY ILCE-7RM2
ƒ/22, S 10seconds, 70mm (24 70mm, f/2.8 fixed, Tamron Lens), ISO100, Full Manual Mode, [7:41 PM IST, Coorg, India, in a Hotel Balcony, 1st Floor],
