Tips on how to take a photo at night

When it comes to taking a photo at night here is what can happen:

• The camera's flash will fire (if set to automatic) and the photo will more often than not become over exposed, causing the subject(s) to look too bright.

• The camera's flash does not fire (if set to manual) and the photo will more often than not become under exposed, leaving your subject(s) looking too dark. 

What you want to do is the following if you are using a 50 mm lens:

• Set your camera on a non-flash and/or non-firing mode

• Be sure that your ISO is set at 1600 (if your camera does not have an ISO this high, then you would need to first check your camera's ISO settings and read your manual about how to properly set it). 

• Set your aperture to 1.2 and your SP set at 60.

What you want to do is the following if you are using a 70-200 mm lens:

• Set your ISO setting at 3200

• Set your aperture at 2.8

• Set your SP at 60

Now, for me, I use either my Canon 35-58 mm lens or my 75-300 mm lens and depending on which lens I decide to use at that time, I set my ISO setting accordingly. 

However, it is very important to have an understanding of your camera's ISO settings.  Below is something that can help.

When choosing the ISO setting, you want to ask yourself the following questions:

1. Light – Is the subject well lit?
2. Grain – Do I want a grainy shot or one without noise?
3. Tripod – Am I using a tripod?
4. Moving Subject – Is my subject moving or stationary?

** Tip for beginners: ISO measures the sensitivity of the image sensor. -- Another words: The darker the subject, the higher ISO setting you will need and the lighter the subject, the lower ISO setting you will need.