Do you have any tips/techniques for Night Photography?

[manfrominternet]

I'm going to attempt to do a little night photography with my Linhof Technikardan 45 later this week, shooting with Kodak Ektar 100 and Fuji Velvia 100/50

I know about exposure and reciprocity failure and how that relates to long exposures, but that's about it. Do you guys have any pointers to a first time LF night shooter?


Just another quick other question: I just ordered some excellent B+W UV-Haze filters for my 5 lenses. (I bought these specifically to protect my lenses from, well, me and my OCD incessant cleaning.) Should I take these off before doing any night photography or do these B+W XS-Pro Nano Multicoated filters have enough technology behind them that I don't really have to worry about ghosting or any other issues?

[Larry Gebhardt]

A laser pointer can help you focus on a distant object. Same with a bright flashlight for more close objects.

Red light affects your night vision less than white, so use a red flashlight to find your way around the camera if need be.

[neil poulsen]

A laser pointer can help you focus on a distant object. Same with a bright flashlight for more close objects.

Red light affects your night vision less than white, so use a red flashlight to find your way around the camera if need be.

Excellent tips! Thanks.

[Jac@stafford.net]

I doubt that focusing on a reflected red laser dot will give accurate focus, but I am open to correction.

[Audii-Dudii]

A laser pointer can help you focus on a distant object. Same with a bright flashlight for more close objects.

Alternatively, instead of using the flashlight to illuminate the point on which you wish to focus, position it in the area (even if this means leaving it lying on the ground) and point it back toward the camera, and focus on it until the point of light projecting from it is sharpest. Both approaches have their merits, so choose the one that works best for you and the scene you're photographing. It can also be helpful to use the flashlight to trace the outline of your composition as you fine-tune it, but try to be mindful about shining it through any windows so you don't disturb anyone inside a house or building that's located within the scene.

Red light affects your night vision less than white, so use a red flashlight to find your way around the camera if need be.

In my experience -- I've been photographing almost exclusively at night for more than a decade now, both in not so nice urban areas as well as in very nice residential neighborhoods -- it isn't necessary to be that fancy with a flashlight, but it's a good idea to carry a second, small, dim, keychain-type flashlight in your pocket for this purpose instead of the big, bright one you will want to use for other purposes.

A few other general points based on my experience:

1) Don't trespass, because if you're photographing in an urban or suburban area, the police will frequently be called and you don't want to give them any reason to legally run you off;

2) If the police are called, remember that as a general rule (at least here in the U.S.) you can photograph anything that can be seen from a public place, provided that (depending upon the state) you're not using extraordinary means (such as a ladder or a telephoto lens) to peer over fences or look through windows;

3) If somebody threatens to call the police on you for photographing a scene and you're not trespassing or doing anything else improper (parking in a spot where it's not allowed, etc.) either encourage them to do so then wait around for the police to arrive (so you don't confirm their suspicion what you're doing was illegal or lead them to believe photographers can be intimidated to leave even when they're doing nothing illegal) or call them yourself, so they can explain the law to the person who is complaining;

4) carry a few dollar bills in a pants pocket, where you can quickly reach them, as a potential bribe to buy your way out of any potential trouble with a homeless person. A lot of them are mentally ill, so can behave unpredictably and its safest when you're by yourself and arguably flashing your wealth around (because photography requires a camera, which some will assume means you're well-to-do) to not engage them beyond a polite "hello" and "have a good night" ... btdt too many times over the past decade.

5) In view of No. 4), as a worst case possibility, take whatever steps you deem necessary so you're prepared to defend yourself in the event you're attacked, as that potentially can happen anywhere, at any time, because you present an attractive target when you're head is underneath a dark cloth and the police will often be many minutes away and unable to assist you immediately. Which also means maintaining a good situational awareness -- i.e., step back from your camera frequently and turn through a full circle when you do, looking for anything that may have changed since the last time you did so -- and don't remain buried underneath a dark cloth for several minutes at a time as you decide on your composition.

Of course, the extent to which all of the above points will be relevant to you and your outings will depend a lot on where and what you're photographing, but even in nice, suburban neighborhoods -- make that especially in nice, suburban neighborhoods! -- homeowners will often hassle and/or threaten you as much or even more than any homeless person you encounter in an urban alley or on the street. BTDT many times over the past decade as well!

Mind you, it's not all gloom and doom when you're out with a camera late at night -- in my now several hundred outings, there's only been one instance where I truly felt my safety was being threatened by somebody right from the start -- but there have been a few dozen outings that potentially could have escalated to that point had things gone a different direction, so your personal safety is definitely something to keep at the forefront of your attention.

As for any technical tips, I photograph digitally these days, so have nothing to offer you there ... sorry.

P.S.: Don't let security guards intimidate or scare you from photographing a scene. In my experience, the vast majority of them have no clue about the relevant law and like to use their presumed authority to bend people to their will. They have no more legal authority than any other non-law enforcement person and so long as you're not trespassing, you can pretty much just ignore them, which will usually have the effect of pissing them off and/or inciting them. I've called the police on security guards more often than they've called the police on me, so be prepared to deal with them as well.

[Audii-Dudii]

Oh and one other thing you may hear from security guards as a reason why you can't photograph something or other is the property owner's copyright or trademark protection.

And while that definitely does potentially impose some limitations on what you can do with the photos you take, it absolutely does not prevent you from taking those photos in the first place!

This is true of most government buildings, too! Although there are potentially some exceptions to this rule if the building has been deemed a sensitive location or is on a military base, as a photographer I knew found himself being visited at his home by the FBI the following day after he unknowingly photographed an office building that contained offices for some very sensitive, security-minded government agencies. FYI, they identified him by the license plate of his car, which they had captured with surveillance cameras. The same thing has happened to me when I have photographed around Sky Harbor Airport during the day, too:



As the above photo partially shows, a total of six cars and 10 officers were dispatched to deal with me even though I was photographing from an open to the public path alongside a canal just north of the airport property. <sigh>

FYI, the particular encounter above was close to becoming a very nasty one indeed, when a Supervisor called to the scene -- the 11th cop to respond! -- acknowledged my position and told the other officers to leave me be, as there was no legal basis to formally detain me.

[manfrominternet]

Alternatively, instead of using the flashlight to illuminate the point on which you wish to focus, position it in the area (even if this means leaving it lying on the ground) and point it back toward the camera, and focus on it until the point of light projecting from it is sharpest. Both approaches have their merits, so choose the one that works best for you and the scene you're photographing. It can also be helpful to use the flashlight to trace the outline of your composition as you fine-tune it, but try to be mindful about shining it through any windows so you don't disturb anyone inside a house or building that's located within the scene.



In my experience -- I've been photographing almost exclusively at night for more than a decade now, both in not so nice urban areas as well as in very nice residential neighborhoods -- it isn't necessary to be that fancy with a flashlight, but it's a good idea to carry a second, small, dim, keychain-type flashlight in your pocket for this purpose instead of the big, bright one you will want to use for other purposes.

A few other general points based on my experience:

1) Don't trespass, because if you're photographing in an urban or suburban area, the police will frequently be called and you don't want to give them any reason to legally run you off;

2) If the police are called, remember that as a general rule (at least here in the U.S.) you can photograph anything that can be seen from a public place, provided that (depending upon the state) you're not using extraordinary means (such as a ladder or a telephoto lens) to peer over fences or look through windows;

3) If somebody threatens to call the police on you for photographing a scene and you're not trespassing or doing anything else improper (parking in a spot where it's not allowed, etc.) either encourage them to do so then wait around for the police to arrive (so you don't confirm their suspicion what you're doing was illegal or lead them to believe photographers can be intimidated to leave even when they're doing nothing illegal) or call them yourself, so they can explain the law to the person who is complaining;

4) carry a few dollar bills in a pants pocket, where you can quickly reach them, as a potential bribe to buy your way out of any potential trouble with a homeless person. A lot of them are mentally ill, so can behave unpredictably and its safest when you're by yourself and arguably flashing your wealth around (because photography requires a camera, which some will assume means you're well-to-do) to not engage them beyond a polite "hello" and "have a good night" ... btdt too many times over the past decade.

5) In view of No. 4), as a worst case possibility, take whatever steps you deem necessary so you're prepared to defend yourself in the event you're attacked, as that potentially can happen anywhere, at any time, because you present an attractive target when you're head is underneath a dark cloth and the police will often be many minutes away and unable to assist you immediately. Which also means maintaining a good situational awareness -- i.e., step back from your camera frequently and turn through a full circle when you do, looking for anything that may have changed since the last time you did so -- and don't remain buried underneath a dark cloth for several minutes at a time as you decide on your composition.

Of course, the extent to which all of the above points will be relevant to you and your outings will depend a lot on where and what you're photographing, but even in nice, suburban neighborhoods -- make that especially in nice, suburban neighborhoods! -- homeowners will often hassle and/or threaten you as much or even more than any homeless person you encounter in an urban alley or on the street. BTDT many times over the past decade as well!

Mind you, it's not all gloom and doom when you're out with a camera late at night -- in my now several hundred outings, there's only been one instance where I truly felt my safety was being threatened by somebody right from the start -- but there have been a few dozen outings that potentially could have escalated to that point had things gone a different direction, so your personal safety is definitely something to keep at the forefront of your attention.

As for any technical tips, I photograph digitally these days, so have nothing to offer you there ... sorry.

P.S.: Don't let security guards intimidate or scare you from photographing a scene. In my experience, the vast majority of them have no clue about the relevant law and like to use their presumed authority to bend people to their will. They have no more legal authority than any other non-law enforcement person and so long as you're not trespassing, you can pretty much just ignore them, which will usually have the effect of pissing them off and/or inciting them. I've called the police on security guards more often than they've called the police on me, so be prepared to deal with them as well.

This is all terrific advice! Thank you much for writing this up. I really appreciate it.

I live in Los Angeles and do want to photograph both the affluent neighborhoods and the not-so-affluent neighborhoods, so your advice comes in very handy.

I'm extremely worried about theft. While I'm in no way, shape or form, wealthy, my camera may make my financial situation look otherwise. (I worked really, really hard to get all the equipment I have.)

Have you ever ran into anyone who wanted to steal your camera/gear? I wonder if I should carry a small can of pepper spray...

[Larry Gebhardt]

This is all terrific advice! Thank you much for writing this up. I really appreciate it.

I live in Los Angeles and do want to photograph both the affluent neighborhoods and the not-so-affluent neighborhoods, so your advice comes in very handy.

I'm extremely worried about theft. While I'm in no way, shape or form, wealthy, my camera may make my financial situation look otherwise. (I worked really, really hard to get all the equipment I have.)

Have you ever ran into anyone who wanted to steal your camera/gear? I wonder if I should carry a small can of pepper spray...

I would take a minimum of equipment. I’d also bring my old ugly Burke and James instead of the nicer looking camera. You can also possibly get away with a viewing hood (flaps the shade the ground glass) instead of a dark cloth. I’d worry about angering a group with pepper spray and getting hurt badly instead of just losing a cheap camera. Honestly same with a gun. But that’s all a personal decision and you will probably get a wide range of answers.

[Audii-Dudii]

I would take a minimum of equipment. I’d also bring my old ugly Burke and James instead of the nicer looking camera.

This isn't bad advice, to be sure, but if some part of the fun of photography involves using your gear of choice -- and truth be told, for me, it does, because much of the gear I use has been modified to suit my needs by yours truly -- then you might choose to insure your gear and take your chances instead of using less valuable gear and reducing your enjoyment. That's the decision I made, anyway, but as always in these matters, YMMV!

You can possibly get away with a viewing hood (flaps the shade the ground glass) instead of a dark cloth.

If this is a possibility, I would strongly encourage it. Because any time your head is buried underneath a dark cloth, your personal safety is compromised, so the less time you do so -- if at all --the better!

I’d worry about angering a group with pepper spray and getting hurt badly instead of just losing a cheap camera.

If a situation ever reaches the point where your acts of self-defense go beyond making verbal statements, you should immediately beat feet and get the f*ck out of there ASAP in order to minimize any chance of second attack!

Honestly same with a gun. But that’s all a personal decision and you will probably get a wide range of answers.

Indeed. If you're uncomfortable with any of the decisions you've made about preparing to defend yourself or how you will respond in the (unlikely) event of being attack, then by all means make new decisions with which you are comfortable. Because you absolutely don't want to be second-guessing yourself in the heat of the moment!

Where I live, both open carry and concealed carry are legal without a permit and on occasions, I do carry a gun with me. And when I do, I always open carry because I want the gun to be visible so it can act as a deterrent (which is also the reason why I carry a six-shot stainless steel revolver instead of a 15-round semi-auto pistol, because it's shiny and clearly visible in its holster on my hip.) In my personal experience, there's absolutely no doubt that carrying a visible gun will go a long way toward causing harmless homeless people from approaching you for spare change, etc., but I'm not as convinced it will have the same effect on a non-homeless bad guy who is intent on ruining your outing. In the case of the OP, though, it's highly unlikely this is an option for him, because California's gun laws are far more restrictive than Arizona's.

Pepper spray might be a useful alternative -- I have no experience with carrying or using it, so I really have no idea -- but since you'll be carrying a flashlight, I strongly encouarge you to make sure the one you choose can do double-duty as a self-defense weapon. There are a variety of "tactical flashlights" available these days and the small one I carry in my pocket while I'm in the field falls into that category. But my other flashlight is a six D-cell Maglite and if push ever comes to shove, it will serve nicely as a self-defense baton or club.

Of course, the best option is always to avoid confrontations whenever possible. And while I will absolutely stand my ground against a homeowner who complains about me photographing his neighbor's house across the street from his without permission (despite the fact he has three security cameras mounted across the front of his house doing exactly the same thing 24/7 and I'll bet he doesn't have his neighbor's permission for that!), I'll also leave an area without hesitation and photograph somewhere else if I have even a slight inkling that my personal safety and overall well being might be at risk. But, once again, these are decisions you have to make for yourself and what works me or anybody else has no relevance to you and your decisions.

[Audii-Dudii]

This is all terrific advice! Thank you much for writing this up. I really appreciate it.

You're welcome and I look forward to seeing your results. Personally, I have really come to enjoy being out photographing late at night / early in the morning, as there's a zen aspect to the experience and everything looks so different at night compared to how it looks during the day. The truth is that as much as I enjoy doing photography, I also enjoy the experience of walking around the areas where I photograph late at night / early in the morning, when they are -- by and large -- peaceful and quiet.

I live in Los Angeles and do want to photograph both the affluent neighborhoods and the not-so-affluent neighborhoods, so your advice comes in very handy.

In the rougher parts of town, self-defense means physically protecting yourself and your property; in the affluent parts of town, though, self-defense usually means being able to verbally defend yourself and your actions.

I'm a paralegal, so I'm very familiar with and conversant about the laws that govern photography in public places. You might wish to familiarize yourself with them as well, so that when a cop threatens to cite you for, say, obstruction of traffic merely because your tripod is setup in the street, you will know when he's blowing smoke and when he's not. (Hint: At least here in Arizona, in order to be guilty of obstructing traffic, at a minimum, there has to be traffic present for you to obstruct, which is very rarely the case at 2:00 am in a light industrial park. Also, a posted No Trespassing sign only has legal effect for the property behind it and not in front of it, so if one is posted on a fence 50 yards from the entrance of a parking lot open to the public, you're not actually trespassing until you have been asked to leave (and only then by someone possessing the appropriate authority, of course, which may or may not include a cop, believe it or not) and refuse to do so.

Since I've been photographing in urban and suburban areas at night since 2008, I could literally regale you with anecdotes about my many experiences -- most of which are good and a few of which are bad, such as the time I was arrested by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad police for unknowingly trespassing on their property -- for pages and pages in this thread, but I won't because none of them are likely to apply to you. And while I'm comfortable pushing back against those who challenge me -- including police officers and others within the law enforcement community -- that's only because I know the relevant laws inside and out and am comfortable addressing these matters. If you are not comfortable with this -- and most people who have other professional backgrounds are not -- then you're not very likely to be successful if/when you try to do the same.

You need to figure out what your comfort level is and where you are willing to draw the lines, because if you haven't done so in advance of needing to do so, then the situation you find yourself in when you finally do put theory into practice is very likely to go pear-shaped in a hurry.

The only other caution I'll offer has to do with photographing in sketchy areas, because sometimes you might be photographing illegal activities without realizing it. I was photographing an alley scene once and at the far end of it -- two blocks away, hidden from me in the inky black shadows -- a drug deal was going down. I couldn't see it happening, but the participants had no such difficulty seeing both me and my camera pointed at them ... oops!

I'm extremely worried about theft. While I'm in no way, shape or form, wealthy, my camera may make my financial situation look otherwise. (I worked really, really hard to get all the equipment I have.)

Have you ever ran into anyone who wanted to steal your camera/gear? I wonder if I should carry a small can of pepper spray...

Personally, I would just insure your gear, prepare to be out the deductible if it's ever stolen or damaged during an outing, and then put all of this out of your mind. To answer your question, though, No, nobody has ever tried to steal my camera gear. I did have one homeless person to whom I gave two bucks (pulled from my front pants pocket, as I suggested previously) take two steps away from me, realize I gave him only two bucks, then turn around and walk back toward me while demanding my wallet so he could prove I could afford to give him more money, but that's the only close call of that I've had.

FYI, the biggest, scariest threats I've faced to date have all had to do with me unknowingly witnessing and/or photographing illegal activities or being perceived to have done so.

Everything else -- and this includes dozens of incidents over the years -- falls more into the category of being a nuisance or an inconvenience than an out-and-out threat.

Still, it pays to be prepared for anything and I like to at least believe that I am...

For grins and giggles and to give you a general idea of the type of nighttime photography I do, here's a photo I took yesterday morning at ~4:15 am while I was walking around my neighborhood with my camera and my dog: