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IMT – Cholla Training Center
Program Auto (P), your night pictures always come out too dark. They are simply
underexposed. But, why is that -- if your camera's shutter speed ranges from, say
10 sec. to 1/2,000 sec.?
Go back to your camera's User's Manual and look a bit more carefully. Are all the
shutter speeds available in Auto or P mode? Ah-ha, many digital cameras (we're
talking consumer models here) do not make the whole shutter speed range available
in A and P mode! Perhaps the slowest shutter speed available in A and P mode is
only as slow as 1/3 sec. That's usually not long enough for night photography. To
access the longer shutter speeds, you may need to select one of the other shooting
modes, e.g. Shutter-Priority, or even switch to full Manual mode.
So ensure that your digital camera has full Manual mode and allows access to the full
range of slow shutter speeds in that mode.
Self-Timer & Remote Controller
Another feature that you want your digital camera to have is a self-timer or, ideally,
a remote controller. The purpose is to allow you to depress the shutter release
button without introducing camera shake. I particularly like the remote controller,
but not every camera comes with one or even has one available optionally.
But almost all, if not all, cameras has a self-timer. Usually the self-timer counts down
from 10 sec. I find that a bit long to wait, especially since you would need to take
more than one shot and it's minus 10 with the wind chill outside. The cameras that
additionally provide a 2 sec. self-timer have my nod of approval here.
Tripod
A mandatory accessory that you need is a sturdy tripod. When you let the shutter
stay open for a long time, the camera needs to be kept rock steady, otherwise you
end up with blurred images.
Examples
OK, so we have our digital camera and
tripod, and are ready to venture forth
into the night in search of interesting
night shots. When we find one, we set up
camera and tripod, frame and... what do
we do now?
Well, the images below show what
happens when you take the same shot
using P mode, then in Manual mode with
various different shutter speed/aperture
combinations, all in search of the correct
exposure. The camera was on a tripod
for all three shots.
Programmed Auto Mode – Underexposed
Fujifilm FinePix E550
7.2mm, Programmed Auto, Pattern
Shutter Speed 1/4 sec., Aperture F2.8, ISO 80
In the above example, the camera uses
the slowest shutter speed and largest
aperture available in P mode and at the
widest focal length. The picture is
underexposed.