Perfect Night Photography: How to Take Great Pictures in the Dark

Have you ever had a bonfire with friends or family and tried to take pictures, but you couldn’t see anything? Taking pictures at night can be tricky, but you don’t have to be a professional photographer for your campfire pictures to turn out. With these helpful tips, you can capture memories at your next outdoor gathering and leave without blurry, dark pictures:

1.     Keep the Camera Steady

A shaky camera is never good. Using a tripod will be the easiest way to get the exact angle you want while keeping your camera steady. If you don’t have a tripod, that’s okay! Find a flat stable surface such as a table, chair, rock or stump to either rest your camera or your arm on to have a steady shot at your campfire.

2.     Shoot Around Sunrise & Sunset

Shooting during the blue hour (just before sunrise or just after sunset) will give your night pictures a little more detail.This time of day will also add a beautiful blue light to your scene.

3.     Don’t use Flash

If your turn the flash on your camera, it will enhance the faces of the people in your picture, but it will wash out your campfire and surroundings. If you need extra light in the picture, try bringing a flashlight or headlamp to add some extra light.

4.     Slow Down your Shutter Speed

In order to get good photos of your campfire, you will have to take some long exposures.  This means you will want to slow down the shutter speed, which will bring in more light. Turn to your camera’s manual to learn how to change your shutter speed. If you are using a phone or digital camera, look for a ‘night’ setting.

5.     Time of Day

Test out different times of the day by starting your campfire early and taking pictures before the sun goes down. As you change times of day the light will also be changing so make sure to adjust your exposure every few minutes. Take more photos as the sun goes down and again once it is pitch black outside. By taking pictures at different times of the day, you will have a variety of pictures with different lighting to choose from.

6.     Be Creative

Test out different angles and shots around the campfire. Get down low and shoot up at other people around the fire. Most people tend to look down at the fire so you will be able to capture their faces. Try incorporating the smoke by shooting through the flames.  Don’t be afraid to experiment and try something new—you never know how it will turn out until you try.

Taking pictures at night is fun and exciting. It is worth your time to grab your camera equipment and set up around the fire.  Whether you are new to photography or a little more advanced, these tips will help you better your night photography skills and capture your campfire memories for years to come.

For more tips on campfire fun, visit Firebuggz online at Firebuggz.com.