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Night photography can be incredibly rewarding, and it's a great way to improve your general photographic skills. So what do you need to think about?

Equipment:

• A DSLR or Mirrorless camera with manual mode.
• A fast lens
• A tripod
• A Remote Shutter Release
• Extra batteries for cold conditions

Camera settings:

• Use the widest aperture you can
• Experiment with shutter speed
• Experiment with ISO (to minimise noise)
• Use manual focus

Light and exposure

• Get familiar with your cameras' limits in low light
• Be aware of light pollution and choose your site accordingly
• Experiment with light painting and light trails
• Experiment with bracketing to improve dynamic range (may be used in stacked images in post-processing)

Composition

• Think about how to use foreground objects creatively
• Use the rule of thirds and leading lines

Challenges

• Use noise reduction techniques when shooting and in post-production
• Stabilise your camera to avoid motion blur
• Plan for changes in the weather
• Use heaters or other methods to minimise condensation in the lens

Have fun!

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I've spoken about style and creativity in recent podcasts and I realise that some people don't think of themselves as creative and feel they don't have a style at all.

So, my suggestion to you is that you accept that you are creative (possibly not the most creative person you know, but it's there all the same) and that you give yourself permission to try some new ideas!

A great way to develop your style and begin your creative journey is to do a challenge. In this podcast, I talk about four:

The Neighbourhood Walk: Limit yourself to going no further than 2km or 1 mile from your home and shoot a series of photographs that tell the story of that area. The purpose of this challenge is to work on your observation skills. What have you overlooked when you've been in this area in the past?

The Urban Exploration: Document a landmark or hidden 'gem'. How can you use composition to create images that tell its story? That might include its' location, fine details or anything else that makes it notable. Again, you're working on observation, composition and communicating what you feel when you are there (mood).

The Travel Series: Limit yourself to 10 (or 12, or 36 images... not 500!) to tell the story of your trip. This works the same 'muscles' as the previous challenges.

One location for one day: Show how an area or subject changes throughout the day. This challenge is concerned with understanding light; how it varies during the day and how you can use it to create a certain look and feel.

And, of course, you can combine these challenges to make them more interesting.

Important note: Please be sure to be aware of local laws about photographing people in public and make sure you follow them.

Why not sign up for my 14-day Challenge? You'll get one email everyday for 14 days, each with a different photography challenge. Sign up here.

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Or, if you've been inspired to improve your photography, download my FREE guide to 10 ways to improve your photography today.
10 Simple Steps to Improve Your Photography

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Thank you for listening to my podcast. If you would like to subscribe you can do so here:
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Please check out my website for the latest collections, photography tips and challenges, and more!

Contact Me
You can contact me directly at: graham@ge.photography

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Choosing your next, or possibly first, camera is a big decision. You might have some experience of photography, through either a camera system or your smartphone, or you might be completely new to it.

Here are some key considerations:

Budget - this will be a big factor for most of us. It will also depend upon your commitment; are you serious about photography, or just trying it out? Is it a potential career, or a hobby for when you have a vacation?

New or old - One way to offset the investment cost is to buy used. I certainly started that way and it gives you access to higher quality gear. Just make sure you check out each item fully and make sure you have a guarantee to protect you.

What style of photography do you want to do? This is a critical question as it will play a big part in determining the features you need in the camera and what you need for your kit. Do you need a wide-angle lens? A telephoto lens? Subject tracking? Good low-light performance?

Whether this is your first camera, or a step up from your current equipment, the most important thing you can do is to put together a list of pros and cons for what you have used to date. The pros give you a starting point for your wish list, while the cons highlight the additional items and features you will need.

I share some ideas in the podcast, and you can find a more detailed checklist in my eBook: "Focus on photography: A beginners guide"

I hope you enjoy it.

It's time for another podcast...

Remote Trails Radio is a laid-back and engaging podcast where two friends share...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

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Go from "Auto" to Awesome photos in just one week (click here)!