Holiday Lights
Night Photography
Nov. 29, 7:45 – 9:45
Dec. 13, 7:45 – 9:45
Register now!
Last year, you probably loved Lightscape, but did you love the photos that you came home with? It’s hard to take good photos at night! And it’s common to be disappointed the next day when the photos you expected to be full of light and magic to appear dark and dreary.
Learn how to tackle this challenge with professional photographer Edgar Miller at one of two upcoming Holiday Lights Night Photography workshops on Nov. 29 and Dec. 13.
“Taking photos at night requires long exposures. In other words, the camera needs to take in light for a longer time because the amount of light available is so much less than in the daytime,” says photographer Edgar Miller of Edgar Miller Images.
What About Your Smartphone?
People often ask Miller if they can get the same effects with their smartphones–iPhones, Samsungs and the like.
His answer is yes, but it’s a different process.
“Out of the box, many phone cameras aren’t set up to take photos at night,” says Miller. “However, there are work-arounds.” Some phone cameras have a night-mode setting, or you can add apps for this exact use.
You will also need to keep the phone steady. Phone tripods are widely available, but if that’s not an option, look for a wall, a ledge or something solid that you can rest your phone on.
With the variety of phones on the market, Miller recommends searching up tips for your particular brand and model before you head out for the night.
Getting these longer exposures usually requires adjusting the settings on your camera. Miller’s standard recommendation–and what he asks people to bring with them to the workshop–is for a camera with interchangeable lenses. “These have settings that you can easily control to adjust for long exposures,” says Miller.
However, long exposures also create a new challenge: keeping the camera still. “There’s no way you can hold a camera perfectly still for several seconds,” says Miller. “But if the camera moves even the tiniest bit, you won’t have a sharp image.”
The solution is a tripod. Attach your camera and you can be confident your night photos will be crystal clear.
Miller will begin the workshop with an overview of camera settings and techniques. Then the class will go out to Lightscape to practice what they’ve learned. Miller will also teach some fun and easy options using short telephoto lenses to create light-streaking effects.
“You’ll get to enjoy the show while trying out different techniques,” says Miller. “And when you come back to the exhibit with your family, you’ll know your Lightscape photos will be truly memorable.”
