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Taking photographs at night requires more knowledge about camera functions than typical daylight pictures, as depending on the camera's standard settings typically don't work as well at night. This page gives some tips on how to take night photos.
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Tips on how to take successful photos at night using a DSLR camera
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Introduction
- Tired of blurry, unfocused or dark pictures when taking photos at night time? There are a few simple tricks you can use to get better pictures when taking photographs at night.
Taking photographs at night requires more knowledge about camera functions than typical daylight pictures, as depending on the camera's standard settings typically don't work as well at night. This page gives some tips on how to take night photos.Step 1: Camera
- You can use either a digital or non-digital camera to take night pictures. What is most important is to have a camera which allows you to override automatic settings and choose aperture, ISO, shutter speed and other settings yourself. Even if you have a digital camera, you should not depend on the camera's night setting to take pictures. While this can sometimes provide good results, it often result in blurry or too dark pictures.
Step 2: Camera Settings
- To take good pictures at night, you will need to learn a few basics things about camera settings and photography. If you choose to override your camera's automatic settings, turn off the flash of the camera.
- A low/under exposure means a dark picture, because not enough light was captured.
- A high/over exposure means a light picture, because too might light was captured. (This will usually not be an issue in night pictures).
- The aperture of a camera controls the size of the hole that lets in light. A large size, (which is listed as a lower number) for example 5.6, means more light but a smaller area of focus.
- The shutter speed controls how long light is being let into the camera. A short speed, such as 1/1000, means less light, while a long speed, such as 1/30, means more light.
- When the shutter speed is open for too long, a picture comes out blurry.
- In night settings, you will typically need a large aperture and a long shutter speed.
- If using a long shutter speed, you need to place the camera on a stable surface, or preferably a tripod, to avoid a blurry picture. (The blurriness is a result of your hands not being able to hold the camera steady for so long).
- ISO is a term used for film speed. A higher ISO number will make it easier for you to take pictures at night, but a very high one can result in grainy pictures with less detail.
