January 29, 2010, Gary Howley asked a Photography question:

What is the best way to take good photographs at night?

I'm hoping to learn about techniques I can use with my existing camera, but I'm open to buying additional equipment if needed.

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So far, 2 people answered Gary Howley's question

Simple, a good and solid tripod. I use the tripod that Adorama sells
< www.adorama.com > the Tiltall Classic, black, $100.00 US. The best bargain in all of Photography. I own many, one is 60 years old.
I agree with every thing that Bill Guy has written. R ;-)

Answered February 03, 2010 by Richard Strombergs Chicago Photo Classes

Richard Strombergs Chicago Photo Classes teaches these classes:

• 

  Photo II starting from $400.00

• 

  Photo I: An Introduction to Digital Photography offered in Park Ridge starting from $400.00

For night landscape photography the best equipment you could buy is a good tripod. Keep in mind that because it is dark you will need as much light as possible coming into the camera for the exposure.

So the first thing that will be needed is a steady surface because you will be at a low shutter speed. Then your meter reading will show you that you will need to open the f stop to a low number like f 4 and the last thing you can adjust is the ISO. You will be looking at least 800 and upward. Here is where the creative part comes in.

If you are looking for those tail light streaks then you are keeping at the low shutter speeds of less than 1/15 sec. Longer streaks means slower shutter speeds. This is were chimpping the image on the back of the camera comes in handy after each shot.

If you are looking for available light shots on the street of people then once again you will need high ISO for hand held shots.

Using Flash then pulling back the power of the flash will keep it from overpowering the subject and getting those ghost like people. Many cameras have a night shot setting on the dial which looks like someone standing under a street light or the half moon. This holds back the flash when you shoot. If you have a separate flash attached to the hot shoe then see if there is setting to have the flash at 1/2 power or what ever looks best at the distance you are shooting from.

Answered January 30, 2010 by Bill Guy