Hey, i just recently got a Canon T1i, and I am trying to figure out night shots. What settings should I use? What shutter speed? What ISO? It is really a fruss for me, because when I see an awesome shot, and know what I want, I don't know how to operate my camera to do that. ;(
For night pics, I go in manual mode. You need a tripod of course. ISO as low as possible, to avoid noise. About the shutter speed / aperture, well I just play around with it, to get a good exposure. I know that feeling of seeing something, having a pic in your mind but not knowing how to "tell" the camera how to do it lol, it's really frustrating. I hope that helped !
But seriously there is a night mode for the camera... The tri-pod really helps...
make sure if you are not using you tri-pod that your shutter speed is never lower than you focal length (1/60 shutter speed for about a 50mm lens, 1/30 for a 28mm) this reduces camera shake for more people
modern cameras can pull off ISO that we never could on film... I have never used a canon, but I would hope they could hit 800 - 3200 ISO NO trouble the new pentax can do 25000ish ISO well enough Nikon is the same.... so I am sure canon must be same
Find lights.... the frame might be dark, but find intense light for your subject... I am going to go outside now and take a photo, I'll post settings look again in about 20 mins at my pic for today... for some samples...
Also, BW works great at night as you see the shift in luminance, vs the weak colours... there is some great fog settling in... I'll go for a bit of a drive... you have given me something to do tonight... thanks!
If the T1i (or 500D as it's known over here) has the same sensor as the 550D in it, then you can safely go up to ISO800 if you need to without worrying about noise too much, at least for photos shrunk down to the size they are on here. This'll help if you don't have a tripod as it'll let you use slightly faster shutters, and might reduce camera shake enough.
I take lots of night shots with a 'rebel' camera (450D); in fact, I took one last night!
My settings are (on a tripod of course) on manual, shutter speed of anything from about ten secs or longer, and a narrow aperture (high 'f' number) of anything from f/11 onwards. And yes, keep the ISO down to 100. You're on a tripod - you don't need a high ISO. Compensate by increasing your shutter speed instead. I don't agree the rebel is good at 800 - I get really frustrated at the noise levels with my canon.
I think a tripod is so important if you want to do night shots, if you don't have one they are pretty cheap, or you could also use something around you like a mailbox to steady your camera. Also to avoid camera shake in your shots it is nice to have a shutter release, but a self timer will do the job as well. Vikdaddy is definately right about the ISO- I would try not to go over 200 maybe even 400. It really is a matter of just playing around with your apeture and shutter speeds until you get the effect you are after. Another thing you might try is to go to night shots that you like on this site and click on the tab that says more details ( right hand side) and look at the settings that were used for that shot. Just remember that what works for one may need to be adjusted for you- but it should give you a good base line as to where to start, especially if it is the same camera you have. Also when you do go out to shoot at night take a little notebook with you- when you get a shot that you are happy with you can write down what settings you used and refer to them later on. Hope that helps- good luck night shots can be frustrating to learn, but they look awesome when done well :)
When I shoot at night I always use 100 ISO and definitely a tripod. I use a high aperture number such as f/16 to f/20 and fiddle around with the shutter speed with longer being better. Anywhere from 4 seconds to 30 seconds and have even fiddled with the BULB setting where you just hold down your button for as long as you want. If you are not using bulb then just click your shutter and let go of your camera until it's done taking the picture. Try not to touch the camera or move the tripod in any way.
I find that if I see a photo on here that I really like and want to try I click on the "more detail" button and it will tell me what settings to use. It is really helpful for all kinds of shots. And of course what Benjamin said, practice makes perfect.
Wow, thanks guys! This is ubber helpful. I will for sure go and practice out all your ideas! I do have a tripod, and will use it more often! THANK YOU! ~K'tch
I agree with Theresa, this is a great discussion. I've been experimenting with night shots but haven't been able to post a good one yet. And by the way @vikdaddy this is a very awesome shot and makes me want to keep working at this night shot thing using your suggestions. Your shot has inspired me!! It's beautiful!
This is a great little post. I have been avoiding night shots as they turn out less than stellar. Tonight, it being Halloween, seems like a good time to try again!
*I hope this means my muse has returned to provide much needed inspiration!
Lots of good advice already, but not from someone really lazy like me! Am too disorganised to carry a tripod & there are some places where you can't use 'em (some museums, churches etc.. This does not prevent getting great night/low light shots though, especially as you have a DSLR. So, basically, ignore what your camera tells you, as it will inevitably tell you (on auto) your pic will be underexposed. This is usually rubbish & a lot of the time the picture you could take will be perfectly good to you (and awesome to anyone you show it to). As plenty of others have said, put it on manual, maybe shoot a pic at the suggested settings & see what it comes out like & adjust accordingly. My default position is 1/30 at the widest aperture I have shooting on a 5 year old compact which goes no higher than ISO 400. On an SLR I have a bit more scope so if I can lean on something I might go to 1/15 & up to ISO 640 or 800 if necessary. Floodlit buildings are actually brighter than you might think & you can get away with surprisingly high speeds & low ISOs sometimes. Don't forget to experiment with your metering - a change to spot metering might make a big difference (just remember to change it back after your shoot). You may also want to experiment with your White Balance settings (and remember to change them back...) Also, don't discount "street furniture" as you can leave your camera on a mail box, litter bin, railing etc. & use the self timer (great for traffic trails). Note: long exposures will eat your battery power. Also, pay atention to how you stand (try one foot in front of the other, slightly leaning forwards so weight is on front foot) & how you breathe (I think in Joe McNally's book The Moment It Clicks he says he's trained himslef to shoot handheld down to something ridiculous like 1/15 or 1/8 with a fairly big lens - a very useful skill! I know people who hold their breath & others who let it out whilst shooting at slow speeds - see which works for you. Or ask Santa for a 5D Mk II or a Nikon D700 & forget all the above & shoot whatever speed you want. The D700 is actually too good in the dark & you can easily get overexposure. If Santa has been hit by the economic crisis, perhaps a 50mm f1.4 lens or a copy of Better Available Light Digital Photography: How to Make the Most of Your Night and Low-Light Shots by Joe Farace and Barry Staver or Digital Photography in Available Light: Essential Skills (Photography Essential Skills) [Paperback] Mark Galer M. would be acceptable alternatives.
Some of my 365 contains shots at night (proof of the pudding) and none of my shots use a tripod. Try 7& 13 Oct, 8,12,14,20 & 21 Sept for example.
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But seriously there is a night mode for the camera... The tri-pod really helps...
make sure if you are not using you tri-pod that your shutter speed is never lower than you focal length (1/60 shutter speed for about a 50mm lens, 1/30 for a 28mm) this reduces camera shake for more people
modern cameras can pull off ISO that we never could on film... I have never used a canon, but I would hope they could hit 800 - 3200 ISO NO trouble the new pentax can do 25000ish ISO well enough Nikon is the same.... so I am sure canon must be same
Find lights.... the frame might be dark, but find intense light for your subject... I am going to go outside now and take a photo, I'll post settings look again in about 20 mins at my pic for today... for some samples...
My settings are (on a tripod of course) on manual, shutter speed of anything from about ten secs or longer, and a narrow aperture (high 'f' number) of anything from f/11 onwards. And yes, keep the ISO down to 100. You're on a tripod - you don't need a high ISO. Compensate by increasing your shutter speed instead. I don't agree the rebel is good at 800 - I get really frustrated at the noise levels with my canon.
*I hope this means my muse has returned to provide much needed inspiration!
Lots of good advice already, but not from someone really lazy like me! Am too disorganised to carry a tripod & there are some places where you can't use 'em (some museums, churches etc.. This does not prevent getting great night/low light shots though, especially as you have a DSLR. So, basically, ignore what your camera tells you, as it will inevitably tell you (on auto) your pic will be underexposed. This is usually rubbish & a lot of the time the picture you could take will be perfectly good to you (and awesome to anyone you show it to). As plenty of others have said, put it on manual, maybe shoot a pic at the suggested settings & see what it comes out like & adjust accordingly. My default position is 1/30 at the widest aperture I have shooting on a 5 year old compact which goes no higher than ISO 400. On an SLR I have a bit more scope so if I can lean on something I might go to 1/15 & up to ISO 640 or 800 if necessary. Floodlit buildings are actually brighter than you might think & you can get away with surprisingly high speeds & low ISOs sometimes. Don't forget to experiment with your metering - a change to spot metering might make a big difference (just remember to change it back after your shoot). You may also want to experiment with your White Balance settings (and remember to change them back...) Also, don't discount "street furniture" as you can leave your camera on a mail box, litter bin, railing etc. & use the self timer (great for traffic trails). Note: long exposures will eat your battery power. Also, pay atention to how you stand (try one foot in front of the other, slightly leaning forwards so weight is on front foot) & how you breathe (I think in Joe McNally's book The Moment It Clicks he says he's trained himslef to shoot handheld down to something ridiculous like 1/15 or 1/8 with a fairly big lens - a very useful skill! I know people who hold their breath & others who let it out whilst shooting at slow speeds - see which works for you. Or ask Santa for a 5D Mk II or a Nikon D700 & forget all the above & shoot whatever speed you want. The D700 is actually too good in the dark & you can easily get overexposure. If Santa has been hit by the economic crisis, perhaps a 50mm f1.4 lens or a copy of Better Available Light Digital Photography: How to Make the Most of Your Night and Low-Light Shots by Joe Farace and Barry Staver or Digital Photography in Available Light: Essential Skills (Photography Essential Skills) [Paperback] Mark Galer M. would be acceptable alternatives.
Some of my 365 contains shots at night (proof of the pudding) and none of my shots use a tripod. Try 7& 13 Oct, 8,12,14,20 & 21 Sept for example.