Mastering Low Light photography: A Beginner's Guide to Photography
As a photography course instructor, I know capturing those magical moments in low light can feel like chasing fireflies in the dark. So, let’s embark on this nocturnal journey together and uncover the secrets to creating captivating images when the sun decides to take a break. Here are some beginner-friendly tips:
Raising your ISO will be your first port of call.
1. Increase ISO
ISO is one of the three pillars of photography, along with aperture and shutter speed. It measures the sensitivity of your camera’s sensor to light. In low-light conditions, increasing the ISO allows your camera to capture more light, making your images brighter.
How to Adjust ISO: On most cameras, you can adjust the ISO setting through the menu or a dedicated button. Start with ISO 800 and increase it if needed. Modern cameras handle high ISO settings better, but be aware that very high ISO (like 3200 or 6400) can introduce noise, which appears as graininess in your photos. However, this noise is preferable to missing the shot altogether!
Example: If you’re shooting a night scene and your photos are too dark at ISO 100, try increasing the ISO to 800 or 1600. This will make the sensor more sensitive to light, resulting in a brighter image.
2. Use a Wide Aperture
Aperture refers to the size of the opening in your lens that lets light in. It’s measured in f-stops (e.g., f/1.8, f/2.8). A lower f-number means a wider aperture, which allows more light to reach the sensor.
How to Adjust Aperture: In aperture priority mode (A or Av on your camera dial), you can set the aperture, and the camera will automatically adjust the shutter speed. Choose a low f-number like f/1.8 or f/2.8 for low-light situations.
Benefits: A wide aperture not only lets in more light but also creates a shallow depth of field. This means your subject will be in sharp focus while the background is blurred, making your subject stand out.
Example: When photographing a person in a dimly lit room, using an aperture of f/1.8 will help you capture a well-exposed image with a pleasing background blur.
3. Slow Down the Shutter Speed
Shutter speed is the length of time the camera’s sensor is exposed to light. Slower shutter speeds allow more light to hit the sensor, which is crucial in low-light conditions.
How to Adjust Shutter Speed: In shutter priority mode (S or Tv on your camera dial), you can set the shutter speed, and the camera will adjust the aperture. For low-light photography, try using a shutter speed of 1/30th of a second or slower.
Tips: Using a slow shutter speed can result in blurry images if the camera moves. To avoid this, use a tripod to stabilise your camera. If you’re shooting handheld, try to keep the shutter speed faster than the reciprocal of your focal length (e.g., 1/50th of a second for a 50mm lens). If you can’t do this, then brace yourself for the photo in some way. i.e. create a triangle by placing your elbows on a wall and then your arms angle upwards to your camera creating your own, human, tripod. This will help reduce camera shake.
Example: When photographing a cityscape at night, a slow shutter speed of several seconds can capture the ambient light and create beautiful light trails from moving cars.
Slow down the shutter speed and add a tripod in to the mix
4. Use a Tripod
A tripod is an essential tool for low-light photography. It keeps your camera steady, allowing you to use slower shutter speeds without introducing blur from hand movement.
Choosing a Tripod: Look for a sturdy tripod that can support the weight of your camera and lens. Lightweight tripods are convenient for travel, but make sure they are stable enough for long exposures.
Using a Tripod: Set up your tripod on a stable surface, attach your camera, and use a remote shutter release or the camera’s self-timer to avoid camera shake when pressing the shutter button.
Example: When shooting a starry night sky, a tripod allows you to use a long exposure (e.g., 20 seconds) to capture the stars without blur.
5. Shoot in RAW
RAW is a file format that captures all the data from your camera’s sensor without compressing it, unlike JPEG. Shooting in RAW gives you more flexibility in post-processing to adjust exposure, white balance, and reduce noise.
How to Shoot in RAW: Most cameras have an option to shoot in RAW format. Check your camera’s menu settings to enable RAW shooting.
Benefits: RAW files contain more information than JPEGs, allowing you to recover details in shadows and highlights. This is especially useful in low-light photography, where you might need to brighten your images in post-processing.
Example: If you accidentally underexpose a photo taken in low light, you can use editing software like Adobe Lightroom to increase the exposure and bring out details without losing quality.
6. Add Light
Sometimes, the available light isn’t enough to capture a good photo. Adding light can make a significant difference.
Using a Flash: An external flash can provide additional light. Bounce the flash off a wall or ceiling to create softer, more natural lighting. Avoid using the built-in flash directly, as it can create harsh shadows and unflattering light.
Continuous Light Sources: LED lights or even a flashlight can be used to illuminate your subject. These are especially useful for video or when you need constant light.
Reflectors: Use a reflector to bounce existing light onto your subject. This can help fill in shadows and create a more balanced exposure.
Example: When photographing a person in a dimly lit room, using an LED light panel can help illuminate their face and create a more flattering portrait.
7. Experiment with Manual Focus
In low light, your camera’s autofocus system might struggle to find focus due to the lack of contrast in the scene. Switching to manual focus can help you achieve sharper images.
How to Use Manual Focus: Most cameras have a switch on the lens or body to toggle between autofocus (AF) and manual focus (MF). Use the focus ring on your lens to adjust focus manually.
Tips: Use live view mode and zoom in on your subject to ensure precise focus. Some cameras also have focus peaking, which highlights the in-focus areas in the viewfinder or on the screen.
Example: When photographing a night scene with distant lights, manual focus allows you to ensure the lights are sharp and in focus.
8. Use Image Stabilisation
Many cameras and lenses come with built-in image stabilisation (IS) or vibration reduction (VR) to reduce blur caused by camera shake.
How to Use Image Stabilisation: Check if your camera or lens has an IS or VR switch and turn it on. This feature is especially useful when shooting handheld in low light.
Benefits: Image stabilisation allows you to use slower shutter speeds without introducing blur, making it easier to capture sharp images in low light.
Example: When photographing a street scene in low light, image stabilisation can help you capture sharp images of the elements without using a tripod.
9. Post-Processing
Editing your photos in post-processing software can help you enhance your low-light images.
Software Options: Adobe Lightroom, Apple Photos, and other photo editing software offer powerful tools for adjusting exposure, reducing noise, and enhancing details.
Adjusting Exposure: Use the exposure slider to brighten your image if it’s too dark. Be careful not to overexpose, as this can lead to loss of detail in highlights.
Reducing Noise: Most editing software has noise reduction tools that can help minimise the noise introduced by high ISO settings.
Example: After taking a photo of a cityscape at night, use Lightroom to increase the exposure, adjust the white balance, and reduce noise to create a cleaner, more vibrant image.
10. Practice, Practice, Practice
The best way to improve your low-light photography skills is through practice. Experiment with different settings, techniques, and lighting conditions to see what works best for you.
Keep a Journal: Take notes on the settings and techniques you use for each shot. This can help you understand what works and what doesn’t in different low-light situations.
Learn from Others: Study the work of other photographers who excel in low-light photography. Analyse their techniques and try to replicate their style.
Experiment: Don’t be afraid to try new things. Experiment with different ISO settings, apertures, shutter speeds, and lighting setups to find your unique style.
Example: Set aside time to practice low-light photography in various settings, such as indoors, at night, or in dimly lit environments. Review your photos and make adjustments based on what you learn.
Take a look at the video below for some more in-depth and practical tips for shooting in low-light.
By following these tips and practicing regularly, you’ll become more confident and skilled in capturing stunning low-light photos. Remember, photography is an art, and there’s always room for creativity and experimentation. Happy shooting!
