While the night sky can play havoc with your camera settings, it also provides a real opportunity to produce some great (and spooky!) shots. As with all paths of photography, half the battle of getting things right is good forward planning. Here’s a guide with things to consider for great night landscape photography:
Night landscape photography: moon cycle and weather
The moon will have a dramatic effect on our images. A full moon will cut exposure times and make the sky appear more of a blue colour, almost like it’s daytime; however, it will also reduce the number of visible stars. The moon cycle along with the moonrise and set times can easily be found for most locations on the Internet.
The moon peeping through clouds creates a dramatic effect.
Also, keep an eye on the forecast. Clear skies work well for star trails but don’t ignore cloudy or partly cloudy nights. The conditions to avoid are mist, fog or rain as the water droplets can settle on the lens surface during long exposures and are almost impossible to detect in the dark.
Night landscape photography: light pollution
While light pollution (the use of artificial or additional lighting) can mean it’s harder to see as many stars, it can also add some much-needed colour to a sky. Light pollution will have the most dramatic effect on the sky when there is a new moon or the moon is yet to rise.
Using artificial lights can enhance an image by introducing more colours and complimenting the composition.
Take a spare torch and batteries
I often work in remote locations so I always carry a spare torch with me to find my way back to the car, particularly as my main rechargeable torch often runs out of power. I find a spare wind-up torch works well, as you are then not reliant on battery power. Long exposures can quickly drain camera batteries so make sure they are fully charged and that you have a spare.
Night landscape photography: On the night
Step 1. Choose your composition
Arrive at your location while it’s still fairly light to help you easily compose your images. When setting up your camera make sure that your tripod placed is on secure ground and ensure that it is not going to move during the long exposure.
Long exposure shot of architecture.
Step 2. Shoot RAW
By shooting your images in the Raw format you will be able to apply slight changes to your images at the processing stage. Small adjustments to white balance, exposure and noise can all be applied when converting the Raw files.
Using car lights or lights from buildings is a great way to capture city nightscapes.
Step 3. Set up your camera
Attach your cable release, set your camera to bulb mode and select your aperture. Finally, focus the lens on your subject, and once this is completed remember to switch to manual focusing so that the lens doesn’t start to hunt once it’s dark.
Step 4. Take a test shot
Once it’s dark, lock open the camera’s shutter using your remote release. Begin illuminating your subject with a flash or torch light. Remember to take note of the total exposure time and roughly the amount of light applied to your subject.
Step 5. Review your test shot
Review your test shot and work out what areas need more or less light, as getting the correct exposure involves a little bit of trial and error. Once you have decided on what exposure changes to make, simply re-take the shot and keep reviewing the images until you get a result you are happy with.
Night landscape photography: tips to help you take better night photos
Focus using a torch
To aid with focusing in the dark, shine a powerful torch on your chosen subject. Once your camera gets a focus lock, switch your lens to manual focus so that it doesn’t hunt when you press the shutter button.
Compose using high ISO
To compose your night landscape photography shots in the dark, change the ISO setting to your most sensitive available then take a test exposure and recompose as required. Remember to lower your ISO setting back to 100-200 once you’re done.
North star
Take a compass with you and work out the position of the North Star. As the Earth rotates the North Star will appear to stay fixed and the rest of the stars will appear to rotate around it.
Two’s company
Night photography can be quite spooky so having a friend with you will keep you company and make you feel safe.
Dress warm
It can get very cold at night, particularly when standing around waiting for long exposures, so warm clothing is essential.
Noise reduction
If your camera has a noise reduction facility, turn it on for your final shot of the evening. Once the main exposure is completed you can pack away your camera while it’s still exposing for the dark frame. When you arrive home it’s exciting to view the completed image for the first time.
Further reading:
Night photography: how to photograph the night sky, moon and stars
Fright night: ghost camera takes spooky London Photowalk
Complete guide to outdoor light in photography
Art Wolfe on his approach to night photography
How to photograph low light urban landscapes
