Low-light photography is considered the real-test of a photographer’s skills. How well can you capture an image in darkness is a measure of how well can you play with the settings of the camera. The equipment does matter but what if we say that you can even click amazing low-light pictures from your phone too. You just have to use the right settings and it will become very easy for you to click a picture even with f/2.2 aperture lens. These settings work well for both DSLRs and smartphones.
High shutter speed
Ever heard of prolonged-shots? These type of shots are taken by extending the shutter speed of the camera. The shutter speed determines the amount of light in the picture. Greater the shutter speed, greater will be the amount of light.
It is very important to increase the shutter speed in this case, as we need more light so that the objects become visible and properly exposed to light. Generally, the shutter speed is set at 1/17 and you can adjust it in the Pro mode of your device according to the requirements.
Also read: What is a Time of Flight Camera (ToF) and why are phone manufacturers using it?
High ISO for a perfect exposure
If your shutter speed and aperture settings are not able to give you the correct exposure, you can increase the ISO. Increasing ISO gives room for more incoming light for some amazing images but has many drawbacks as well. Increasing ISO can lead to noisy pictures and it can even affect the natural colours in the images. It is recommended to keep the ISO below 1600 for good quality images. You can always use a flash in case you want some extra light.
Use a tripod
It is very essential to use a tripod to keep the device stable in case of low-light shots. As we increase the shutter speed, the camera can even catch the slightest of movements that we make. This may lead to blurry and unappealing images. You must use a tripod and if a tripod isn’t available, you can take the support of walls, tables or other stable objects to keep your camera undisturbed. If you are at an isolated place where these kind of objects aren’t available, you can consider using a camera strap. Just place the strap across your neck and make sure that it remains tight so that you get additional support.
Also read: Photography 101: What are Monopods and why should you use them?
Use wide aperture devices
It is recommended to use lenses with wide apertures. They help in capturing more light and it is the best way to get a well-exposed photo. For example, if one lens has an f/3.5 aperture and another lens has an f/1.8 aperture, the f/1.8 aperture lens will capture nearly four times more light than the other. We recommend using a 50mm f/1.8 lens for perfect low light clicks.
It is not that difficult to click images in low light, is it? Do let us know in the comments section!
Also read: Cinematography 101: How to record cinematic footage from your DSLR?
Featured image by Eugene Triguba
