Nighttime Shots

Far too many photographers seem to think that picture taking has to stop once the sun has set in the evening. Personally I find this the most exciting and challenging time to capture great images. I love the surrealism, mystery, and unexpected encounters one comes across when shooting at night. Many of us are surprised to find out it is generally a very easy process to take elemental night images.

Again most 35mm cameras with a decent AP setting will be able to calculate the time needed for a well exposed evening image. For added effect get somebody to walk thru with a headlamp on, or find natural features that are coming together.

Find your subject, set your camera to AP, get a meter reading (shutter speed time) then shoot 1 image on auto, reset to manual and add increments both ways (shorter and longer) to the auto setting (ie auto said 25 secs, you then shoot at 35, then 45 and also 20 and 15 secs)

If you have a moon in the frame, bear in mind it will move and streak after just 12 secs on a typical 35mm lens. If you want to find the northern celestial pole, you will need a star chart, or you can try your luck as i did, and just point your camera on a tripod to the north. You will need about 20 mins to get a big whirly effect. To make that pic really work, put a moonlit foreground in it, and keep your aperture shut down to F16 or F22 to eliminate scattered star light. Good night shots are all about long exposures with good lenses and quality film. You must use a tripod or a very sturdy ground or rock brace, and will need to stay out late in the cold for the best images!

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