Since we’re experimenting with the Lights of Night in Exploring with a Camera this month, I’ve decided this week I will share night shots to get you in the mood. This last weekend, I got up early on Saturday morning to go out and practice some night photography. Armed with my tripod and my new cable release, I was ready. I experimented with bulb exposures (a new one for me) and was reminded that patience is key. Everything, from setting up to taking test shots for exposure, takes longer with traditional night photography.
I also learned that I could only take it for so long. After a while I abandoned the tripod, leaving it tucked out of the way on the sidewalk (because no one was around at 5am), put on my “night lens” (35mm f/1.4) and went back to handheld. And was so much happier!
Handheld, ISO400, 35mm, f/1.6, 1/60
I’ve known this for a long time… Something about using the tripod disconnects me from the creative process. It disconnects me from the intuition that tells me when I to the camera to my eye. It’s more calculated and less responsive. There are times you absolutely MUST use a tripod to get the image you want, but if you are disconnected from the image at the end, is it worth it? I’m not sure it is to me. Maybe I just need to walk around with the camera in my hand for a while, and then go back for the tripod when I’ve found an image I can’t get any other way.
I will continue playing with the tripod… because I love the Lights of Night. And I’ll continue to push the limits of handheld night photography too, because that’s the best of both worlds, to me.
I know what you mean, it’s kind of a spiritual thing to hold that camera in your hand. There are only a handful of times when I use it religiously and one of those is for a sunrise before the sun actually comes up. I have only driven in the neighborhood once to take photos of Christmas lights, I have got to change that!!
Now is the time Kim! I hope to see some Christmas light images linked in. 🙂
I’m glad to hear you say this about tripods. I was out doing some night shots, (which I am going to post BTW) and got so frustrated with the tripod. I wish I had a lens with a wider aperture so I could get better images hand held. I didn’t think about the disconnection with the creativity and it’s that but I also find it cumbersome. Maybe it’s that jolt where you know you want to take a shot and then you have to align the tripod and klunk around and it sort of ruins “the moment”.
I like the subject you chose here with the wine bottles. Something kind of different to pair with holiday lights.
Thanks Susan! If you can swing it, an expensive 50mm lens is a great first step to get you a wider aperture. By the way, there is a giveaway of Find Your Eye going on right now. See my blog post today for where and when.