Low light photography! A few simple things to know and understand when working in low light conditions.

Low light photography can be a challenging but rewarding experience. It requires a combination of technical knowledge and creative thinking to capture beautiful and unique images in dimly lit environments. In this essay, we will explore some tips and techniques for getting the best results from your camera in low light situations, and how to avoid common pitfalls that lead to blurry

images.

The first step in low light photography is to understand the limitations of your camera. Most cameras perform best in bright light, and as the light level decreases, the camera’s ability to capture sharp and detailed images also decreases. This is because the camera’s sensor needs a certain amount of light to function properly, and in low light situations, the sensor may not be able to gather enough light to produce a clear image.

To compensate for this, you will need to use a longer shutter speed, which allows more light to reach the sensor. However, using a longer shutter speed also increases the risk of camera shake, which can result in blurry images. To avoid this, you will need to use a tripod or some other form of support to keep your camera steady. Additionally, you can use the self-timer function on your camera to avoid camera shake caused by pressing the shutter button.

Another way to increase the amount of light reaching the sensor is to use a wider aperture. Aperture is the opening in the lens that controls how much light reaches the sensor. By using a wider aperture, more light can enter the camera and reach the sensor. However, this also affects the depth of field, which is the area of the image that is in focus. A wider aperture will result in a shallower depth of field, which can be useful for creating a sense of depth and separation in your images.

Another important aspect of low light photography is ISO. ISO is a measure of the camera’s sensitivity to light. The lower the ISO, the less sensitive the camera is to light and the less noise in the image. However, in low light situations, you may need to use a higher ISO to get a well-exposed image. But, as you increase the ISO, you will also increase the amount of noise in the image, which can be unsightly. So, it’s a balance between having a well-exposed image and having noise in the image.

In addition to adjusting these technical settings, you can also use creative techniques to enhance your low light images. For example, you can use a flashlight or other light source to illuminate specific areas of the image. You can also use long exposures to capture the movement of light in the scene. This can create interesting and dynamic images that are not possible in bright light.

In conclusion, low light photography can be a challenging but rewarding experience. It requires a combination of technical knowledge and creative thinking to capture beautiful and unique images in dimly lit environments. By understanding the limitations of your camera, using a tripod or other form of support, adjusting the aperture, ISO and shutter speed, and using creative techniques, you can get the best results from your camera in low light situations and avoid the common pitfalls that lead to blurry images.

Working on a project – new magazine – photo glam magazine

My ten tips to create beautiful lighting that flatters for that perfect selfie or as a professional photographer.

This is My Ten simple tips to create beautiful lighting that flatters for professional photos or perfect selfies

1: Use natural light whenever possible.
Natural light is often the most flattering and easiest to work with. Putting your subject in the right place at the right time of day with natural light can be the softest lighting to work with, and most effective.

All natural overcast day light

2: Experiment with different times of day.
The quality of light can change significantly depending on the time of day, so try shooting at different times to see what works best for you or your subject.

3: Use reflectors or a white card to bounce light back onto the subject.
This can help fill in shadows and add dimension to the subject. Bring out a glow to the eyes and under the chin to make an image more appealing to the eye.

4: Experiment with different light sources.
In addition to natural light, you can also use artificial light sources such as studio strobes or continuous lights. Even a simple ring light can be a creative tool or a small video light will add a pop to your pictures.

5: Pay attention to the direction of the light.
Light that is coming from the side or from behind the subject can create a more dramatic effect, sometimes a bright light from behind will result in a more silhouetted looking image.

Natural light with a reflector to reduce shadows and add a catch light to the eyes

6: Use diffusers to soften the light.
This can help reduce harsh shadows and make the light more flattering to the subject. A simple white sheet over a window will give a soft touch to any image.

7: Avoid shooting directly into the sun.
This can create harsh shadows and cause lens flare and in turn make the images soft with less contrast. Though this rule isn’t always bad. It can also be creative if used in the correct environment .

Bright side light from back lighting in mid day sun

8: Use negative fill to create shadows. By placing a dark object near the subject, you can create shadows and add depth to the image.
If you have a very light room from natural light through a window or a white bedroom this idea will be great, even a dark sheet/ blind or black card will reduce some light giving more depth to a subject.

9: Experiment with different apertures. Aperture controls the amount of light that enters the camera, as well as the depth of field.
This can be found on all manual settings in camera or on smartphones. This is perfect to add a little creative look when using a low F number ..

10: Keep an eye on the colour temperature of the light. Different light sources can cast different color temperatures, which can affect the overall mood of the image. Use a colour checker or white balance tools to help ensure accurate colour. For instance house lighting and sunlight can produce a warm tone to an image.. where a window lit by indirect light or even a snow scene will have a cooler more white look..

Please remember that these are my personal tips, we all have our own ideas. There’s nothing wrong with using a bunch of the above methods and then in your preferred editing software creating something much more refined or dramatic.

Let me know what you try and how it works out for you.

Follow me on here or on Instagram http://www.instagram.com/adriandayphotography to see more !

SUPER MOON IMAGE FOR SALE

Anyone who loves seeing moon images or loves anything astro this could be the image for you..
this week we had our last super moon of 2022 and what a beautiful sight it was,
I’m based out of the Essex coast line and the moon was making its self very noticeable in the night sky so I took a little walk into the fields to capture this one.

and was it worth it … I have to say yes. this beautiful image to me is captivating .. and something im sure will stand out on anyone’s wall in an office or lounge.. maybe even a bedroom.

image below is a low res image to restrict people taking our images

The super moon 2022

£15.00

Description

this stunning print of the super moon will be a great addition to any ones walls.

with its stunning details and beautiful captivating mono tones buying this and faming it with a matt finish frame would honestly set the tone in any room

this image comes in a print size of 15×10 and is just the print not framed if you require a framed print those will be coming soon please contact us quoting super moon framing.

Free Arrow video assets yes these overlays are free completely free.

Hey guys I’m giving these simple arrow assets / overlays away these are simple and all you need to do is download these and add them as a picture then use chroma to clear the green around the edge.

Resize them to suit your video add a little transition and you will have a fantastic yet simple overlay ..

Watch the reel that goes with these overlays

So many new photos being added to our Instagram @adriandayphotography if you see this post please head over and check it out

I videoed the best maldon Rotary club fireworks display 2021

I did this as a personal project video ! And a very stupidly a last minute thing ! By last minute I mean I walked up to the gates at 7:28 and the fireworks started at 7:30.

Only to find out that there was no ticket left and I couldn’t enter the actual event I would need to find a vantage point in some way ! In just 2 minutes!!

So I made a dash for it .. to the only point I could think this may even be possible.

I dodged down a dark alley and into the sea wall. To be greeted by many onlookers who had the same issue and thought as me to get to the only vantage point and we was all greeted by a metal fence.. not the best. but time to make the best I can with the situation .. I pulled out the gimbal and set up just time to press the record button and test and it was counting down five three two bang !!! Video started and held high to get over the people !

Not the best place that’s for sure but I managed to capture what I could see ! Lucky fireworks go high! So over head wasn’t an issue!

There is one thing I will take from this for next year! Forward planning .. head to the event two hours before. Set up video ! And get the best camera angle before everyone gets there!

I know this video is raw run and gun style but I still captured the 20 minute full fire work show and it was a pretty good show ! Better than other years and I will say it was louder than other years too!

So here you go check out the video below if you like it or just want to support my video please share like subscribe I really need your help to get this video seen and heard 🙂

Hope you liked it!

Another image edited in the golden glamour presets !! This new preset has something special ! #presets #adobe

What would you like to learn about photography?

Been a while since I’ve posted a full blog post!

Now you all know I’m first and foremost a photographer .. a portrait and boudoir photographer predominately.. but over the last year I’ve been taking time out to gain skills in landscape and nature photography..

Also having won a number of competition with my landscape work I feel I’m doing pretty well! Like having my work shown at the fujifilm print life stand at the Birmingham photography show.

Fujifilm print life stand !

Now I know I’ve been doing short posts and running this is because I’ve been doing so many things I’ve not had time to do deep messages and long posts!

Well I’ve just started to add to that! Even more!

With a new section to my website and my Adrian Day YouTube channel this is going to be where I post tips, tricks and reviews of photography products and ideas to help all you guys and girls become better photographers and to enjoy the craft and the creative side of the industry.

But before I start posting videos and blog posts about this I would love to hear from others as to what you would like to see! .. I know what I look for but that’s me ! I don’t just want to post what I want to know .. I want to post at the needs of others !

See this could be anything for creative tips like using a prism or coloured lighting. Or it could be what I suggest to be the best lens for portraits or landscapes

It could be that you want to know about editing and how I edit my images using Adobe Lightroom or photoshop.. and what you want to learn specifically like colour toning or black and white conversion

Maybe you only have your phone to take pictures and that’s a perfectly great option as they say “the best camera is the one you have with you!” and want to know the best apps I use to edit the questions are endless!

But please feel free to comment below with your questions and I will write them all down and create future posts to answer your questions !

Also coming soon to help users of lightroom I’m going to start putting together downloadable products Things like brushes for photoshop and presets and Lut’s for both Lightroom and photoshop

These will be priced at silly prices ! So anyone can obtain them on the smallest of budgets to help them grow and learn faster! I currently have over 50 presets from colour to black and white! Ready to go! Just sorting out the website over the next few weeks to make them downloadable for you all!

There is so much more to come ! So if you have read this far please hit the follow button so that you can be notified when I post.. and as I say please leave a comment below if you find this page helpful and have a question you want answering!

Once again thank you everyone for your support and sticking with me over covid months ! It’s much appreciated!

BTW WHEN LEAVING A COMMENT .. YOU DONT NEED TO ADD EMAIL ADDRESS OR OTHER DETAILS BUT PLEASE LEAVE A NAME SO I CAN RELATE THE POST BACK TO YOUR QUESTION.. .. BUT PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT BE GREAT TO CONNECT TO YOU ALL!