NIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY

Discover how you can capture engaging after-dark images with strong compositions, effective colours and maximum sharpness

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Darkness is one of the biggest challenges for a photographer to deal with – even when using a high-spec camera with mind-boggling low-light capabilities. The essence of photography is the capture of light, and when there isn’t much light to be found, there’s always going to be the likelihood of reduced image quality.

That said, shooting after dark can also provide a real sense of excitement, magic and mystery, and when the day turns to night, a huge range of new and unique subjects and techniques come into play, enabling you to create intriguing, even otherworldly images.

To get high-quality results, you’ll need to improve your technique and fully understand where common problems occur when shooting in low light. Successful night photography demands far more than just technical knowledge, though, and requires a similar set of creative skills to any other genre in order to make the most of mixed lighting sources, the colour of light, and the extreme contrast that’s found in these dark environments.

In this complete guide to night photography you’ll discover how to capture successful images after the sun has set. We’ll start with the basics, including recommendations for the best kit and how to prep before a night shoot, and look at the basic skills and camera settings you’ll need to employ, before moving on to more advanced night photography techniques, such as astrophotography and light painting.

Read on to learn how you can master the dark, and capture night-time shots that are full of energy and drama.

PREP FOR A NIGHT SHOOT

What kit should you take out on a night shoot? Learn how to pack like a pro, and plan for success

WHAT TO PACK