Hi Guys, I am new here and has been taking up photography for more than 6 months, and is extremely interested and passionate about photography. I am on a photography course and has been assigned to take night photography, however, i am not exactly sure of the requirements to take night scenes photography, guidance greatly needed and appreciated. Thank you!
Basic requirements for night photography
- Thread starter peace104
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Francis247
Senior Member
For a start, maybe you can share some more information like what camera are you using so that we can better advice you.
Firstly, you will need
1. Good tripod
2. Cable release
3. Black Card (Optional)
okie, basically i am using nikon F80 for the camera body, and I have a whole range of lenses and flashlights.
I need suggestions and guidance on which kind of lens to use, and the basic technical key points to take note of.
Once again, advices and suggestions are greatly appreciated, thanx!
I need suggestions and guidance on which kind of lens to use, and the basic technical key points to take note of.
Once again, advices and suggestions are greatly appreciated, thanx!
Francis247
Senior Member
Hi there,
Sorry for the late reply. I have no experience using a F80 but I hope to share of my suggestion, do feel free to discuss.
Focal Length - 18mm to 70mm will be a good range.
ISO - 100, 200
Aperture range used f8, f11, f16 to f22
Shutter Speed depends on situation. May range from anything such as 1/25 to 30".
Tripod mount.
Francis247
Senior Member
Welcome.
Depends on what you want to achieve.
For a start, can try shooting at around Singapore River area at around dusk 7pm or so.
Try to set up the equipment and tripod and cable release.
Using ISO 100, Shoot at around f8. Shutter speed will depends on lighting condition.
Using ISO 200, try shooting at f11.
Hope that it helps.
peanutbeer
Member
how to do hyperfocal techniques?? anybody ??
Francis247
Senior Member
Francis247
Senior Member
gossipmonger
New Member
I used to own a F80, so here's some useful advice for you...
1. The F80 can use any 3rd party cable release, provided it can be screwed into the shutter release button. Should not cost more than $12. (No need to get expensive cable releases 'cos the F80 does not have a 10-pin cable socket, IIRC)
2. For day/night landscapes, make sure you turn on the GRIDLINES. This way, your horizon wont be slanted.
3. As long as you use a tripod, you can use slow film eg. Velvia ISO 50 or ISO 100. If you want more saturated colours, rate the ISO 50 film at 40 and the ISO 100 film at 80.
Hope this helps.
1. The F80 can use any 3rd party cable release, provided it can be screwed into the shutter release button. Should not cost more than $12. (No need to get expensive cable releases 'cos the F80 does not have a 10-pin cable socket, IIRC)
2. For day/night landscapes, make sure you turn on the GRIDLINES. This way, your horizon wont be slanted.
3. As long as you use a tripod, you can use slow film eg. Velvia ISO 50 or ISO 100. If you want more saturated colours, rate the ISO 50 film at 40 and the ISO 100 film at 80.
Hope this helps.
What kind of night photography ?
Still life, street & buidings or street candid with people ?
Still life, street & buidings
any lens as follows:
Wide Angle lens
- good for taking scenery with wide perspective
Mid range lens
- good for taking far scenery
Telephoto lens
- good for street/building closeup
Street candid
wide angle to 50mm fast lens
Why do you need to use a release cable ?
To prevent unnecessary movement to the camera when you press onto the shutter button while take long exposure shot.
Great. I have tried it out yesterday night, and one particular experience was that while i was at the esplanade concourse area trying to capture a good esplanade scenery, at F22 and 30", my spot meter read at around 20% underexposed, thus i experimented with bulb mode at various longer shutter speed, guys, how long do you think would be good.
Secondly, with a tripod and at long shutter speed, why do we still need a cable release, not as if straight after we release the sutter we leave it dere until the shutter shuts ? I understand that in bulb mode we have to use shutter, but not in bulb mode? is it still a must? Hopefully my pics turn out okay.
Once again, thank you guys for the precious comments and pardon me for being amatuer to asking the stuffs.
Secondly, with a tripod and at long shutter speed, why do we still need a cable release, not as if straight after we release the sutter we leave it dere until the shutter shuts ? I understand that in bulb mode we have to use shutter, but not in bulb mode? is it still a must? Hopefully my pics turn out okay.
Once again, thank you guys for the precious comments and pardon me for being amatuer to asking the stuffs.
It is not easy to get well exposed night photography. You have to try bracketing like you did exposure for various shutter speed. Normally I will not use f22 unless I want to achieve super long exposure and tt aperture produces the best quality for that lens. My recommended aperture value is from f8 to f16.
As mentioned, to prevent unnecessary movement when trigger the shutter button. A slight movement will cause softness and blurness to the photo.
Not a nikon user, I tot all blub mode is in Manual mode.
Francis247
Senior Member
What ISO setting are you using?
gossipmonger
New Member
It's great to know that you are using the in-camera spot meter. For landscapes, it's essential to master how the spot meter will work for you.
That said, if you meter off the dark areas in your scene, the brighter subjects in the final pic will tend to be over exposed.
If you meter off the bright areas eg. lights, the darker areas will be under exposed.
So you gotta meter off grey areas or midtones to get the exposures spot on.
That said, if you meter off the dark areas in your scene, the brighter subjects in the final pic will tend to be over exposed.
If you meter off the bright areas eg. lights, the darker areas will be under exposed.
So you gotta meter off grey areas or midtones to get the exposures spot on.
For a start, maybe you can share some more information like what camera are you using so that we can better advice you.
Firstly, you will need
1. Good tripod
2. Cable release
3. Black Card (Optional)
Good tripod? Mine sucks. The tripod is not stable when I mount a 70-200 USM IS f/2.8L lens. The camera keeps moving down slowly.
Cable release? Intend to buy a remote control. Have not bought yet.
Black card? Can you please enlighten me on that as I don't know what is that and how to use it?
I am now using Canon 400D. Please give me some advise on taking nightshots. Thank you.
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