Best tips for taking low light/ night pictures with a P&S with manual settings.

[Malibelle]

I am leaving in 2 days. I still haven't mastered low light settings with my Panisonic Lumix 12x camera. It does have a manual settings but I am not sure what to set it to for low light/fireworks shots. I know to use a tripod which I have a small one to try out this trip.

If I set it to Simple mode, candlelight mode the night pictures come out bright( ex. pictures of our xmas tree)

I have a fireworks mode which I will try but I would like to use the manual settings on my camera.

If someone could give me tips on even how to set the manual settings for low light that would be great.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Without knowing your camera I would say try the "nighttime" settings like night snapshot, night scene, fireworks, etc. Using a tripod will help as the shutter will stay open longer so the camera needs to be absolutely still. Some people have good luck also using the 10 second delay button so the camera isn't shaken by your pressing the shutter button. If you don't have the time to set up a tripod, try to lean the camera or yourself on something steady, like a trashcan or a railing, etc. You might want to try this out before you leave and study the manual on the plane.

See if you have an ISO button. Increasing the ISO will help you get low light shots (but will not usually work in Auto mode; try Program or P mode) but you will have to run them through Noise Reduction software later to decrease the graininess of the shots. Try to use the lowest ISO you can in order to get the shot - maybe start with 200-400 and only go up if you have to. Remember to turn the ISO back down once you leave the low light area if that applies to your camera or your daytime pictures will remain grainy also. It is possible to get some decent shots this way. Remember - no flash on rides!

Have a great trip and be sure to post some pictures when you get back!

 

[Malibelle]

Thanks for the info. I will give that a try.

 

[boBQuincy]

With a tripod try ISO 100, f/16, and 2 seconds as a start.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Anyone have more tips? I'd like to get some ideas for our trip too (I can never seem to get any decent night shots)...

 

[GrillMouster]

Find your spot and set up early.
Use a tripod.
Disable flash.
Use a low ISO rating (50 or 100).
Use a narrow aperture (f11 or f16).
Use a slow shutter speed (2 to 3 seconds).
Use a wide focal length (zoom out).
Use a remote or the auto timer.

The castle is illuminated, so it's easy to overexpose it if you include it in the frame.