What are you best tips for taking pictures at night with digital???

[WendyZ]

We are going back to WDW in Oct. This time I have a digital camera (olympus 750). What few pics I have taken at night we all blurry, no good. So I am wondering what tips/tricks there are to taking pics at night. I hate to end up with bad pics of MNSSHP! That would be a bummer!

TIA for the help!!!

 

[Dizneyholic]

I'd also like any tips anyone has on this. I couldn't find any info on night setting's in the manual. We have a Digital Canon s400 and have tried many settings with the same blurry results.

 

[WendyZ]

Glad I'm not the only one. I have tried my auto and night setting...with no luck. I figure there must be something I'm missing...or else it's just operator error!

 

[KarlaG4Kids]

I also have Olympus 750. A camera geek at work is helping me figure it all out. I know I have to change the aperture (sp) setting. He is going to let me know and I will post when I find out. If anybody else out there wants to put their knowlege in I would love to hear it.

 

[WendyZ]

Oh great! Karla will you email me when you find out! These things are a trip to figure out sometimes. But boy they can take a nice picture.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Here is a link with some additional links.

You really need to learn our manual settings. Automatic just won't do it. Virtually every night picture I take is always in manual. And one of the great benefits of digital is that you can play and learn to your heart's content while you learn how to get close to a good shot. It can be tough, but it is free....... Practice, practice, practice.

http://www.livingroom.org.au/photolog/tips/night_and_low_light_digital_photography_tips.php

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Manual settings are the only way.

Auto will be blurry, night will be too light.

Before you go, spend some time taking pictures at night playing around with your manual settings.

 

[Dizneyholic]

We've had our camera for over a year now and have played with it many times. We did learn about using manual mode but often the pictures still come out on the fuzzy side.
Dan, thanks for the useful link!

 

[Dan Murphy]

If they are fuzzy, it is most likely from camera shake. If the exposure time is amything slower than 1/15 (even 1/30 maybe) second, it is best to have the camera on some stable surface, rather than holding it. Just puching the exposure button is going to give the camera motion. Use a mini tripos or any suface available. At WDw, I am always using trah cans and the sides of poles and trees for stability.

 

[Bojo]

My best tip would be to use a tripod or monopod. As Dan implied, most night pics are blury because of camera shake. You will need some sort of stable spot for your camera.

Also, doesn't you Oly have a night setting? Last tip would be to practice night shots before you get to WDW.

Good luck and post your results.

 

[WendyZ]

Thanks for the posts. I planned on trying some pics befofe I go. Hopefully I can figure something out.

Bojo...Yes, I have a night mode. But the pics weren't that great.

Dan...Thanks for the link...I heading there to check it out.

 

[battricia]

Tripod! Tripod, tripod, tripod!!!! This is your key to taking non-blurry pics @ night. Now I know you're probably thinking "I don't want to lug arond a huge tripod", you can go to staples/office max and buy a small tripod about 4 or 5 inches long, they are about 10 dollars max. It's a tiny little thing and you'll need to set it on something stable (a rock wall/bench/table/etc.) but this will help your night pics SOOOOO much. if you have a big tripod and don't mind carrying that around, go for it, it'll help even more than the little tiny one, because you can set it right on the ground, but even the little one will help a lot. If you don't feel like going out and getting one of these, then your best bet is to set the camera on something flat and stable (see above mentioned) whenever you can. Hope that helps! Happy picture taking!

tricia.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Check this one out http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&q=ultrapod I learned of this Ultrapod from a DIS'er and it is great. A simple idea, but really helps. A regular mini tripod (very light weight) but has a velcro strap to help attach to things in difficult situations. A neat concept, different.

 

[WendyZ]

What do you recommend for manual settings? I have only changed the ISO and shutter...that was for DD basketball shots. Other than that I haven't used manual settings. Not sure how to even use manual settings. I'll dig out my cd and see what I can find on there, but last time it just confused me!

 

[WendyZ]

Any settings to recommend? I have no clue where to begin with this one.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Wendy, I do not have that camera, don't really know it, maybe some others here do. And check some of the sites in this Google search

 

[janette]

I have the same camera, these are some pictures I've taken at night. They aren't great but I don't think they are bad either. I only used night shot for the one of MGM and that was with a tripod. Really the only way I could use night shot is with it, I don't hold the camera still enough. I use either the standard setting or the fast action setting, I do use the flash at night.

 

[MICKEY88]

the best way to get good nightshots is definitely with a tripod or monopod... tripod being best, monopod being lighter and easier to carry....it's also a good idea to use the self timer if you can that way you eliminate camera shake from pushing the shutter release... you can also lean against a wall , a tree or any object that will help steady you, keep your elbows pressed against your sides and the camera tight against your face... this will minimize movement...

as far as manual setttings, that will vary depending on the subject and amount of light, so there isn't a simple answer, to eliminate camera shake, your shutter speed should be the inverse of your focal/lense length,,,, a 50mm lens shutter speed should be 1/50th or higher... 200 mm lens shutter speed should be 1/200th or higher and so on...


some camera shops sell small charts that give recommended settings for different lighting conditions...such as fireworks/ stage shows/ gymnasiums..etc


I'll check the one I have at home and post the name for it later if I have time...

any questions feel free to Pm me...

 

[DisneyDiver]

Taking photos of landscapes and fireworks...

1) Use a tripod.

This is the single biggest way to improve your pictures at night (when coupled with 2) as it will eliminate camera shake, which is vital when you...

2) Slow the shutter speed.

Slower shutter speed will make the camera's sensitivity to light a lot better without creating annoying digital grain, which always occurs when you knock down the ASA / ISO to a low value.

3) Turn off the flash.

If you decide to take photos of things like the fireworks, then the camera's metering will get all confused, as it will factor in the flash to adjust settings. As the object you are photographing is so far away, it'll do nothing apart from leave you with a dark, noisy picture.

Or alternatively, if your camera has a "fireworks" or "night landscape" mode, stick it on a tripod and use that, and you should end up with some decent shots.

 

[WendyZ]

Thanks guys...I'm going to practice when we go camping in a couple weeks.