DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register) 
 

DPChallenge Forums >> Tips, Tricks, and Q&A >> How to take night time photograph without flash
Pages:  
Showing posts 1 - 5 of 5, (reverse)
AuthorThread
 05/30/2004 01:09:48 PM · #1
Hi folks.
Now here's the problem and I'm pretty sure it ain't possible but I'm going to ask anyway :P. How would I go about taking a photo at night without the flash, while being able to use slightly higher shutter speeds (like faster than 1/20) without using the flash. One example of when I may want to do this was when I'm out driving with friends and have good opportunities to take photos but the distance is too great to use the flash (and I don't want the cops to get annoyed at me for using the flash). But because I'm in a car the vibration is fairly high (and I shake a lot anyway) and I obviously can't use a tripod. :P

So does anyone have any idea how to do this? I'm using a D70 with the 18-70 kit lens and 70-300 Nikkor G lens. I set it to ISO 1600 and use shutter priority (for this at least) so I can set my shutter speed.

Thanks, would apprectiate any replies! :P
 05/30/2004 01:39:46 PM · #2
What exactly are you trying to take pictures of? I assume the light trails of cars and/or the road at night through the windscreen?

I doubt the flash would be any good anyways as it'd just light up the windscreen and reflect back into the shot. Streetlights and car lights should be bright enough to capture. Normally night time road/car shots are long exposures, you may get lucky with little car vibration at times to get a good shot through. I doubt you will be able to get night shots as good as being on a tripod while shooting through glass in a moving car, tho.
 05/30/2004 01:55:18 PM · #3
Well, even at 1600 ISO, you may be underexposed at 1/20 or faster shuter speeds, depending on how much ambient lighting there is. What you really need for this is a very fast lens, say, f/1.4. that would give you about 2.5 stops more light.
I'm not too familiar what Nikon offers in very fast glass, but I know they offer a 50mm f/1.4 lens, which would be a good choice. they also offer a 28mm f/1.4 lens, if you need wider coverage. You will not find zooms this fast.
 05/30/2004 06:14:39 PM · #4
Originally posted by DragonStar:
But because I'm in a car the vibration is fairly high (and I shake a lot anyway) and I obviously can't use a tripod. :P

i don't know if it would help you, but I've seen ads for a camera mount which clamps onto a partially rolled-down window, made just for taking photos from cars (I think usually by people on "wildlife safari."
 05/30/2004 06:16:01 PM · #5
you could also try to get a Nikon VR lens. That should allow sharper pictures.
Pages:  
Current Server Time: 06/23/2025 11:40:26 AM

Please log in or register to post to the forums.


Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 06/23/2025 11:40:26 AM EDT.