Night photography can be a very challenging and interesting experience. Shooting night photos should have the right equipment and know the correct techniques.

Night photography can be a very challenging and interesting experience. Shooting night photos should have the right equipment and know the correct techniques. Try these tips to produce some of the most dramatic images.

Tools in night photography

Tripod.

You may want to buy a sturdy tripod if you still do not have this camera accessory. You will need it as the digital camera must be kept rock steady when the shutter stays open for a long time. Otherwise, the camera will shake and you end up with blurry images.

Photo by: Nrbelex

A lens hood.

To minimize lens flares from light entering at angles outside of your frame.

External lighting.

Sometimes you’ll want to draw attention to or simply lighten up an important part of the foreground which is too dark. you’ll need a powerful light or flash to provide enough light to illuminate the subjects.

Imagination.

Tools lie all around us in everyday objects to help us make our work better in this; I’ve used bicycle lamps, lampposts and newspaper boxes to get it done.

Photo by Robin Ryan

Subjects in night photography.

Water.

At night, the water will appear black, but the reflection of the lights, moon, and other bright objects off the water can create some beautiful effects. Shooting around some water can turn spots of lights into nice stripes of lights.

Moon

The largest object in the night sky. Read our moon shooting and exposure tips.

Stars

The stars do move, but slowly. Fully charge the battery. You need a really long exposure.

Fireworks

Perhaps the most dramatic you can see in the night.