Tips for Low-Light and Long-Exposure Photos

 

A long exposure means the camera keeps the shutter open longer. For instance, in a low-light situation, longer exposures are required to ensure that sufficient light enters the camera to make a picture.

 

During a long exposure, your hands may tremble or the wind may blow the camera. Pictures made under such unsteady conditions turn out jittery or blurry.

 

When you can't control the shutter speed, a camera may shoot too slow and end up recording a blurry image.

 

Therefore, long-exposure pictures generally will turn out better if you use a tripod or some other support to steady the camera.

 

Here are some tips for working in low-light conditions:

 

• If you have a tripod or other steady support for the camera, combine it with a remote shutter release cable, a radio-controlled shutter release, or a self-timer, so your finger pressure won't jiggle the camera.

 

• What if you don't have a tripod? Substitute one of these:

o    a ledge or step

o    a windowsill or a car window frame

o    a chair back or a wall

o    a car fender or roof

o    a sandbag or extra firm pillow

o    a book bag or camera bag

o    or any support that will hold the camera very steady as you press the shutter release.

 

• For some interesting low-light photos, consider the patterns of light formed by sources of light ≠ street lights, stop lights, house lights, porch lights, barn lights, car headlights, airplane lights, the moon ≠ both motionless patterns of lights and light trails in motion.

 

• Traffic motion headlight trails are created by very long exposures.

 

• Rainy nights and snow create texture and patterns of light in your photos.

 

• Star effects on light sources are created when the lens is stopped down.

 

• If your camera permits, bracket your shots by shutter speed or aperture depending on the effect you desire.

 

• Working outside at night? Shoot early for safety.

 

• After dark, a flashlight might help you focus the camera and see its settings.

 

• If all else fails, import your undesirable jittery or blurry photos into Photoshop or similar software and slightly increase clarity by applying an unsharp mask or sharpen filter.