It is possible to take good night photographs, if you use the right camera settings.
Digital SLR cameras capture images because they have a light sensitive electronic sensor, which replaces photographic film. Night photography can be a challenge even for experienced photographers. However, DSLRs are equipped with special settings that make good quality night photography possible. Use high ISO values, appropriate flash settings and slower shutter speeds if you want to take good night photographs.
High ISO Values
If taking night pictures without a tripod, set the ISO value in the camera beforehand so the camera sensor becomes more sensitive to the available light. A ISO setting of up to 1,600, for instance, is available in most DSLRs, and it can produce good night shots. However, high ISO values produce noise or grainy pictures. The ideal is to use a tripod, avoid noise by keeping ISO values low, such as 100, and use a much slower shutter speed.
Slow Shutter Speed
The shutter speed is related to the time that the electronic sensor is exposed to light, during the process of taking a picture. The slower the shutter speed is, the more light the sensor gets. Although there is no standard shutter speed to suit every situation, values from 10 seconds to 30 seconds offer a good choice for night photography, but can only be used to shoot still scenes and with a tripod, according to SLR Photography Guide.
Right Flash Light Setting
Most DSLRs come with a built-in flash, which can be efficient when photographing at night. Built-in flash lights offer different intensities and speeds, which you can manually regulate. Always consider the amount of natural light available and the distance from the photographed subject. For moving subjects use flash shutter speeds of 1/60 of a second or faster. Ideally, use a external flash unit, which allows you to set much faster speeds, reports Simon Stafford in Nikon D80 Magic Lantern Guide. However, choosing the automatic TTL (Through-The-Lens) flash option you are less likely to overexpose or underexpose your pictures, because the camera adjusts the flash intensity, while you focus.
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