Low Light exposure Guide

Each situation differs, so this is only a guide… Bracket shots at least +/- 1 stop to be sure.

Suggested Exposure at f/16 aperture
Film Speed / 100 / 200 / 400 / 800
Subject
Cityscape just after sunset / 4 secs / 2 secs / 1 sec / ½ sec
Cityscape at night / 20 secs / 10 secs / 5 secs / 3 secs
Docks and bridges with reflection / 30 secs / 15 secs / 8 secs / 4 secs
Traffic trails on busy road / 30 secs / 15 secs / 8 secs / 4 secs
Floodlit Building / 4 secs / 2 secs / 1 sec / ½ sec
Floodlit castles, churches at dusk / 15 secs / 8 secs / 4 secs / 2 secs
Floodlit castles, churches at night / 30 secs / 15 secs / 8 secs / 4 secs
Floodlit statues and fountains / 8 secs / 4 secs / 2 secs / 1 sec
Neon Sign / 2 secs / 1 secs / ½ sec / ¼ sec
Illuminated shop window / 2 secs / 1 secs / ½ sec / ¼ sec
Outdoor Illuminations / 20 secs / 10 secs / 5 secs / 3 secs
Fairground Rides / 15 secs / 8 secs / 4 sec / 2 secs
Bonfire Flames / 2 secs / 1 secs / ½ sec / ¼ sec
Aerial Firework Display / 2-60 secs / 2-60 secs / 2-60 secs / 2-60 secs
Landscape lit by moonlight / 30 mins / 15 mins / 8 mins / 2 mins
Landscape at twilight / 1 min / 30 sec / 15 secs / 8 secs
Domestic Interior (tungsten) / 8 secs / 4 secs / 2 secs / 1 sec
Suggested Exposure at f/5.6 aperture
Film Speed / 100 / 200 / 400 / 800
Subject
Person lit by bonfire / 2 secs / 1 secs / ½ sec / ¼ sec
Person lit by candlelight / 1 sec / 1/2 sec / 1/4 secs / 1/8 secs
Person lit by 100W lightbulb / ½ sec / ¼ sec / 1/8 sec / 1/15 sec
Spotlit stage or circus subjects / 1/15 sec / 1/30 sec / 1/60 sec / 1/125 sec
Full moon / 1/250 sec / 1/500 sec / 1/1000 sec / 1/2000 sec
Crescent Moon / 1/60 sec / 1/125 sec / 1/250 sec / 1/500 sec
Museum or Gallery / 1 sec / 1/2 sec / 1/4 sec / 1/8 secs

Minimum Shutter Speeds for Blurring effects

Shutter Speed (secs)
Subject / Moderate Blur / Extreme Blur
Person Walking / 1/30 sec / ¼ sec
Person Running / 1/60 sec / 1/15 sec
Horse Trotting / 1/30 sec / 1/8 sec
Horse Galloping / 1/125 sec / 1/30 sec
Car at 30mph (50kph) / 1/125 sec / 1/30 sec
Car at 70mph (110kph) / 1/250 sec / 1/60 sec
Water / 1-2 secs / 3 secs+

Maximum Shutter Speeds for No-Blurring of subjects

Shutter Speed (secs)
Subject / Moving across path / Moving across path / Head On
Fills whole frame / Fills half frame
Person Walking / 1/125 sec / 1/60 sec / 1/60 sec
Person Jogging / 1/250 sec / 1/125 sec / 1/60 sec
Person Sprinting / 1/500 sec / 1/250 sec / 1/125 sec
Cyclist / 1/500 sec / 1/250 sec / 1/125 sec
Horse Trotting / 1/250 sec / 1/125 sec / 1/60 sec
Horse Galloping / 1/1000 sec / 1/500 sec / 1/250 sec
Diver (from a spring board) / 1/1000 sec / 1/500 sec / 1/250 sec
Tennis Serve / 1/1000 sec / 1/500 sec / 1/250 sec
Car at 30mph (50kph) / 1/500 sec / 1/250 sec / 1/125 sec
Car at 70mph (110kph) / 1/1000 sec / 1/500 sec / 1/250 sec
Formula 1 car / 1/2000 sec / 1/1000 sec / 1/500 sec
Train / 1/2000 sec / 1/1000 sec / 1/500 sec

General Night Photography Tips

•  Get there early (before sunset) so you have time to set up

•  Use a tripod at all times so you don’t have to worry about camera shake

•  Bracket exposures to record at least one good image

•  Experiment – Digital is good for this!

•  Don’t limit yourself to urban/street photography – landscapes and coastal shots can be good too

Firework Photography

·  Lens - Use a wide angle (28-35mm) to capture the whole of the display, or a telephoto (50mm+) to fill the frame with firework explosions

·  Film / Camera ISO – Best Results with a slow film (100-200ISO)

·  Aperture - Set small aperture, e.g. f/16

·  Shutter Speed - Use the Bulb setting and open the shutter for 2-60 seconds

·  Tip: You can open the shutter for longer if you block the lens with your hand or a black card between firework launches – longer exposures give more impressive pictures. (but don’t touch the lens…)

Funfair Photography

·  Bright Lights against dark backgrounds can easily fool your cameras light meter, so bracket above the metered exposure to make sure (increasing your exposure).