How to take great photos at night
With the right tools and a plan of action, anyone can capture the beauty of the moon and stars at night. Let professional photographer Keith Ladzinski show you how.
When we look at the stars, it’s like staring into a campfire. There’s a hypnotic quality to it; our imagination starts to wander. Thoughts about how small we are in the vastness of space and emotions of wonder, excitement, and desire to explore all bubble up. With night photography, we can harness the backdrop of the infinite sky to create a sense of expanse, both in time and space.
I’ve been a professional photographer for 20 years, with some of my most beloved images taken at night. Here are my tips for taking great photographs at night.
Scout during the day
During the day, plan at the spot you plan to land at night. This is where you design your composition. A subject with a lot of negative space (like an old tree without leaves or a cliff line with a jagged cut) can frame the night sky beautifully. Use an app like PhotoPills which can help you see how the moon and stars will travel across the sky during your shoot.
Bring the right gear
Whether you’re shooting on a smartphone or high-end SLR, make sure you have a sturdy tripod, a headlamp (or any other lighting), and warmer clothing than needed in the day (especially in the desert). I also recommend a cable release wire to trigger the shutter remotely, so you don’t need to handle your camera especially during long exposures. Also, bring a lens warmer to prevent fog.
Don’t forget the moon
One of the best aspects of night photography is the ability to set up a scene from a sort of blank slate. Because it’s dark, you can customize your lighting. That’s why I prefer to shoot when the moon is only a sliver in the sky, or a new moon. The moon creates a lot of ambient light—think of it as a dim sun. When it’s more than a sliver, be sure to consider it in your composition.
Beware of over-editing
After a shoot, the best photographers will tweak white balance, lift shadows, bring highlights down, etc. But be careful not to overwork it. At the end of the day, your highest priority is making an image you like. If you’re feeling like it’s being pushed too hard in postproduction, then that’s a good opportunity for you to go out into the field and try it again and get it closer to your vision.
