Night Photography Lesson

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This free lesson assumes the student has some knowledge in practical photography (equivalent to a pass level in our Basic Photography course).

If you like what you see in this lesson, but cannot understand all the information given, enrol in our new Creative Photography course and get all the help and encouragement you need! All our courses enjoy tutor assisted learning so you are never left alone wondering what it all means.

fig n-1 Epcotdome - Day and Night

Once the sun has set many photographers will pack away their cameras and go home. They are missing out capturing some of the most stunning and visually exciting images to be had.

Throughout our courses we emphasise the importance of light for the photographic image. This does not mean that if there is no daylight, there are no good photos to be captured.

Taking photographs at night is a lot simpler to achieve then one might think. The results can be very stunning and strange effects are easy to master. It is also possible to take top quality night images with just basic equipment.

Here we have some guidelines on the possibilities open to us with night photography.

fig n-2 London at Dusk

With many night photography subjects, total darkness at night isn't necessarily the best time to actually do 'night shots'. Late dusk is usually the preferred time. This is when there is just a bit of light left in the sky after sunset or before sunrise for the early rising photographer.

The advantage of shooting at this time is less large areas of black in the image, this cuts down on excessive contrast and adds more colour to the image. The residual daylight that is left will also 'fill in' the large shaded areas that are not lit by artificial lighting.

In fig n.2 is probably one of the most photographed scenes by day and night. At dusk you get the best of both worlds with the residual daylight showing cloud detail and reflection on the water. The spotlighting on the buildings has added colour and of course the clockface is perfectly lit.

This does not mean that all night shots should be taken at dusk. There are certain subjects and night photography techniques that are more successful with the total darkness of night.

Fig n.2 Canon G9 1/8 sec @ f3.5, ISO 200. Tripod used.