BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: New Answers

How to shoot photos at night using timer mode

When I take pictures of myself and my girlfriend at night using the timer mode, P-mode, and compulsory flash (added on the horseshoe), ghostly image is always resulted.

What's wrong?

Thank you.

To love this question, log in above
May 15, 2004

When shooting with a timer or remote trigger, a manual camera setting is preferred over auto when determining exposure...(and focusing).

Try setting your shutter to the flash sync speed, and set the aperture to the required f-stop for whatever the flash distance-to-subject will be. (Where you will be standing.)

When you use auto-exposure, there is the possibility of your camera reading a distant object, or even infinity, and selecting an improper setting.

To love this comment, log in above
May 16, 2004

Since it's taken at night, I suppose the shutter speed should be long, so as to get in as much light as possible.

Can you give me some guidance if I use the shutter-priority mode? What shutter speed should I use (What do you mean by flash sync speed?)

Thank you.

To love this comment, log in above
May 16, 2004

Flash "sync speed" is the fastest shutter speed your camera will allow, and varies by manufacturer and body design.(I think yours is 1/125, but I'm not sure...It should be listed in your manual).

The problem with using other speeds are two-fold: A speed slower than that will record any camera or subject movement which occurred either before or after the flash fired.
A speed faster than the sync speed will cause all, or a portion, of the frame to black out,...since the shutter closed before the flash burst ended.

Try setting shutter-priority mode to 1/125. Get your girlfriend into position in the center of the frame where you both will be standing, set the timer, and press the shutter. (Note:...you can also pre-focus your AF lens this way.)
Then, get into the frame beside her before the timer runs out.

To love this comment, log in above
May 16, 2004