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 NIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY If you want to stretch the limits of your imagination and equipment for interesting interpretations of our nocturnal world, then grab your camera and head out into the night air. We spend half our lives in darkness - so why not take advantage of the �down time� for some low light photography.
Aside from the obvious, the major difference between daytime and night photography is the time it takes to prepare and expose an image. Pre planning is the key. A camera with a �b� or �bulb� setting� is useful. A �night� setting is adequate in place of a �b� setting. A tripod is essential along with a cable release cord to trip the shutter and keep it locked in the open position.
Medium speed film is all that is needed. High speed film with an ISO rating of 800 or higher would seem to be a logical choice, however, those above 800 yields too grainy of an image. I prefer 100 to 400 speed films. The combination of finer grain and light sensitivity is just right for quality low light pictures.
Some of my favorite nocturnal subjects include cityscapes, fireworks, traffic headlight streaking across the frame and astro photography. Scenes at dusk or dawn also qualify as �night� photography as well.
If you must use flash, use it to compliment the existing light for a more natural effect. For a �normal� night scene, use ISO 100 speed film with flash. Start with a shutter speed of about 1/15 sec at F-4 to retain some background detail. Shutter drag or slow sync mode was designed for such techniques. Rear curtain sync or second curtain allow the flash to fire at the end of the exposure allowing ambient light to show as streaks prior to the flash illuminated image.
Painting with light is another method to illuminate a night scene. Lock shutter open, pre-focus on subject with flashlight as aid. Wear dark clothing and illuminate subject with multiple bursts from an off camera portable flash unit to �build up� sufficient exposure. Walk backwards towards the camera as you "paint" with the flash to prevent yourself from being in the frame. Stay outside the frame if at all possible. Try colored filters over your portable flash for effect. A flashlight can be used as well for different effects.
Snapshots of a star-filled night sky is another fun nocturnal photo activity. (Astro Photography) To record a star filled sky, try to find a spot away from the city lights. The urban light pollution known as �skyglow� leaves a blanket of hazy glow over most metropolitan areas. One must travel an hour or so outside major cities to find a dark sky. Use 400 speed slide film and a wide angle lens set at the widest aperture to gather more of the light from the night sky. The use of wide angle lenses also help to minimize star trails due to the earth�s rotation. For pinpoint stars, keep your exposures under 30 seconds. For more precise focal length to earth rotation, divide the focal length of your lens into 600 to arrive at your working shutter speed in seconds. Using a standard 50mm lens, a time of 12 seconds or less is needed in insure pinpoint stars. For deliberate star trails streaking accross the sky, leave the shutter open for at least 15 minutes. For more dramatic trails, include a foreground subject for visual reference. Paint with flash, leave open for a few hours exposed on 100 speed slide film with lens set at two stops from the maximum aperture. For Northern Lights keep shutter open for 20 seconds on 200 speed film.
For a closer starfield or longer exposures to capture faint nebulas and the milky way, a telephoto lens and a camera tracking mount is needed to track the camera across the night sky in sync with the earth�s rotation. Many high end telescopes have motorized platforms which track the telescope accroos the night sky. A camera can ride piggyback on the main unit via camera adapters and mounting brackets. For stand alone setup without a motorized telescope, a �barn door� or scotch mount is used for a �guided� exposure. The Takahashi Tracking Mount is a stand alone motorized camera tracking mount designed for such a task.
Fireworks are another favorite night time subject. Try setting your camera in manual mode and keep shutter open for 5 seconds at F-5.6 on 100 speed slide film for a general point of reference. You can also lock the shutter open throughout the fireworks show and cover the lens with a black cardboard in between bursts. Using a tripod and cable release is a definite plus. Lightning photography is similar to firework photography with one important exception. Potentially deadly, unpredictable bolts of electricity streaking accross the sky. Shots of lightning from afar is safer and can produce interesting photos, especially when foreground objects are included for reference.
For streaking car lights, try an exposure of about 10 seconds. Freeway overpasses with sidewalks are perfect spots for such an interpretation of nocturnal traffic patterns. Rainy nights really bring out the colors and intensity. Again a tripod is a must.
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