Photographs that create mystery have always intrigued me. I don’t know where exactly it comes from. I don’t have a dark past; actually my childhood was the complete opposite. Once, I came close to losing my best friend but it does not inspire me to shoot eerie photos. Maybe it’s all the scary movies I watched when I was a kid or perhaps just the idea of the unknown.
A couple weeks ago I wrote about another Scripps Pier Photograph from the Scripps Pier Collection while the sun was setting. In the post Photographing Sunsets over the Pacific Ocean at Scripps Pier San Diego California I said be prepared to stay after the sun sets to take unplanned photos because you will never know how they may turn out. So, on the same night I photographed Glimmer I stayed later than all the other photographers, beach runners and surfers to capture all the changes in the sky until there was nothing but the glow of the pier lights stemming out into Pacific Ocean.
A few weeks before the shot I purchased a new shutter release remote and was eager to try it out. I mounted my camera on the tripod and attached my remote shutter release. This particular shutter release comes in 2 parts. One part is mounted on the camera and the other is the remote used to trigger the shutter. Using only the lights of the Scripps Pier I depressed the shutter release on the remote and then released it 30 seconds later. I was so anxious to see what it looked like that I almost knocked over my tripod. I viewed it on the back of my camera to check exposure, and it was dark. I did not keep my shutter open long enough to see anything. (I should tell you I set my camera to the lowest ISO setting of 200 to get the greatest quality.) After shooting the same shot multiple times I finally had an image I was pleased with. In the end the single shot took almost 3 minutes to shoot. It was an amazing night and I felt so accomplished and was proud to go home with a shot I know I have invested time into creating.
Basics of Night Photography and Shooting Mysterious low Light Images
As I aforementioned, I have always been intrigued with mysterious photographs. One of my favorite documentaries to watch is Gregory Crewdson’s Brief Encounters. Crewdson is an extremely unique photographer who creates movie like scenes through a single photograph. His photographs explore the psychological nature of humans. Just like anything else you do you need to study photography. I for instance watch documentaries and look at books about photography. It’s unbelievable how unique we are in our approach to photography. While there are many things I can touch on when it comes to shooting night photography I want to focus on the most important ones.
Let’s get down to the tips and tricks for shooting stunning nighttime photographs. I already mentioned 2 of the most important things; a tripod and a remote shutter release. Even if you don’t think you will use a tripod bring it along and keep in the trunk. Sometimes shoots take longer than expected and you may miss an unbelievable shot and wished you had a level stable position.
Photography in Camera Raw and Manual Mode
Shoot in camera RAW. RAW produces the best image quality; it retains the most information and gives you greater range for enhancing your shots in processing software. RAW also gives you more flexibility in changing color temperature known as white balance.
Lastly, if you are serious about photography and I have said this before but I can’t express it enough, shoot in manual mode. The last thing you want to do is set your aperture and the camera automatically compensates the shutter speed or vice versa. In low light photography conditions start with a wide aperture around f/4 and use a shutter speed around 125-250. Then shoot another shot around f/1.8 with a shutter speed of 125. Take some shots and review them on your LCD if you have the capability. Don’t ever erase pictures based on what you see in the LCD. Manual mode takes some getting use to, but after that you will have the opportunity to take your pictures to the next level. Remember, stick with it and keep practicing.
Eerie Night
I hoped this inspired you to get out and stretch your photography to your limits. Remember to always plan ahead, take your tripod with you even if you don’t plan on using it. Like all things research and studying other photographers goes a long way. Finally, use a remote shutter release and if you have the capability shoot in manual mode. Please have fun and be creative. Push past your comfort zone to find what amazing things you can create and accomplish.
Let me know if you have any questions regarding this topic or any other topics. I encourage you to view more photographic art prints from the Adam Dax Gallery and contact me to order prints.
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