BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: New Answers

Photography Question 

Mary A. Harris
 

How to shoot amazing night shots?


I'm new to digital photography, I love taking pictures so my husband bought me a Rebel XT a few weeks ago. I'm wanting some advise on night shots. I'm going to be taking pictures of a drag race that is being done at night but I want to get some amazing shots can anybody give me some advise. Remember I'm new so explain in detail. I have some pics in my gallary if you would like to look at.
Thanks


To love this question, log in above
April 20, 2005

 

Julie M. Cwik
  Hi Mary, I will try to help you out. First off, did you want to have crisp sharp images that capture "the moment"? If you do, you will need a flash unit, (don't use the on board flash unless you have too, because there is no way of "controling it" like a flash unit can. If you use the on board flash unit set your camera to M for manual, and you will have to do "test" photos to see what picture will come out best with your on board flash.
One technique I really enjoy (but it's a bit difficult) is called Panning. It is where you will take a 5-sec exposure (or whatever time you perfer) and you press the shutter when the cars take off and as the camera is taking the exposure you will pan the camera to keep the cars center. So the camera will follow the cars as if you were video taping them. The end result will be a photograph of the cars (somewhat sharp) and the background blurry. It is how they take all those wildlife photos such as the cheetah running. It will take practice, but the end result will help sell some of those photos!
Jules


To love this comment, log in above
April 20, 2005

 

Pam M
  LOL Mary, I just finished playing around trying to capture anything at all while moving down the road at night.

You can see my fun and games at Pam Playing Photographer Blog

They are low quality pics but I found out so much just by trying it out.

I have figured out a few settings for me and my camera ... when on the move ... I like settings at infinity, ISO 200, 1/45s for large brightly lit objects ... infinity, ISO 400, 1/12s worked well for collections of streetlights etc. but not for backlit signs! The longer exposures are fun in really underlit places.

otherwise if you're standing still ... get a tripod and have fun! (no fun w/o tripod)


To love this comment, log in above
April 20, 2005

 

Anthony Soares
  Mary,

I will guess you have the kit lens with your new xt (ef-s18-55 f 3.5-5.6). with out knowing what stadium lighting conditions will be present or how close to the action you will be sitting. use the largest aperture you can(the smaller the number the larger the aperture,for example f3.5 is larger than f5.6) also play with your iso settings.you may need to use 200,400 or even higher but keep in mind the higher the iso setting the more noise you may get in your image. even with a shoe mounted flash unit if you are to far from the subject it may not help.your flash will reach farther at higher iso settings but you will still probably be out of range.I too would recomend the use of a tripod as you will probably have to use a slower shutter speed.making for a blurred shot unless you have very steady hands. hope this helps.........Tony S


To love this comment, log in above
April 20, 2005

 

Mary A. Harris
  Thank you so much, this site has some really awsome and helpful people. I'm going to play with it a bit and see with everyones advise if I can pull this off. Watch my gallery, you might find some pretty funny pics. HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY!!!


To love this comment, log in above
April 20, 2005

 
Log in to respond or ask your own question.