Originally Posted by
Audii-Dudii
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.
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