Correct control of exposure and night shooting strategy

In the process of photography, whether the exposure is correct or not is the key to the success or failure of photography technology. Therefore, this step must be taken seriously, not sloppy, but meticulous and accurate. Therefore, the exposure time must be determined according to the different requirements of different scenes, different lighting and different themes. The exposure methods of night photography can be roughly divided into one exposure and multiple exposures. Let's take an example to learn how to shoot at night.

First, one exposure

The camera is set up on a tripod, and then the scenery that should be shot is arranged in the picture through the viewfinder as required. After taking the view, fix the camera on the tripod to make it inactive. When shooting, use the cable release to control the opening and closing of the shutter (or use the lens cover to control the open shutter) to obtain the appropriate exposure time.

Second, multiple exposures

The operation flow is the same as above, except that the exposure is not completed at one time, but is exposed on the same negative for more than two times, and the shooting work is completed. Multi-exposure is a method used only when one exposure cannot complete the shooting work. If conditions (lighting, environmental conditions, timing, etc.) are met. ), one exposure is ideal. But sometimes in order to achieve a special effect, it is necessary to take some scenes in each exposure by means of multiple exposures.

When shooting, we should pay attention to the following aspects:

(1) When mastering the exposure, we can separate the light intensity from other scenes, so that the darkest scene is exposed more first and the brightest scene is exposed less later, which can make up for the uneven exposure.

(2) When some scenes can't be exposed first or multiple times, people can subsidize the darker scenes by subsidizing the light to weaken the contrast.

(3) When shooting, some scenes are unavoidable because the light is too strong or too weak. Shoot first and then shoot, and you can still correct it with occlusion when zooming in. Whether using one exposure or multiple exposures, it is necessary to master the accurate exposure time and choose the appropriate exposure opportunity. Under normal circumstances, the exposure time of night photography is more than one second, usually one second to one minute, and in some special cases it is also a few minutes. When shooting, it is completely in the hands of the photographer. If overexposed, the light itself will spread to the surrounding area for a long time, which will make the surrounding buildings or the sky produce a large area of white, increase the contrast and destroy the lighting effect of the night scene. When exposed, photos will have the opposite effect. You can't tell the outline of the scene, and there is no hierarchy. In the photo, except for a little light, the rest are immersed in a dark tone. When shooting at night, if there is still some afterglow in the sky (evening or dawn), special attention should be paid to underexposure the sky, and the light should not peak, otherwise the atmosphere and characteristics at night will be lost.

Third, common night photography

The night scene of the construction site generally refers to reservoirs, power stations, mines, bridges, factories, buildings, etc. It was built in the wild. The shooting method should pay attention to the following points:

(1) according to the engineering characteristics, determine the shooting angle, and know the relevant situation during the day and the law of night activities in advance;

(2) Choose a suitable shooting opportunity, and it is best to shoot such subjects at the stage when the project reaches its climax and the face of large-scale tense projects is basically visible;

(3) Pay attention to the surrounding natural conditions-mountains, water, trees, bridges, buildings, etc. ;

(4) The sky should not be exposed to too much light;

(5) When presenting the scene, the angle should be high rather than low;

(6) One or more exposures can be used.

Night view of city streets

Take a street view in the market, either on a holiday night or at ordinary times. Generally, it is better to take a street view on a holiday. Because of the layout and arrangement of streets, shops, city appearance and window during the festival. Colored lights, neon lights and slogans have also been added to the larger buildings, and the demolished pictures will be more prosperous and beautiful. Choose an appropriate angle. Too high or too low an angle can easily deform the roadside buildings. The camera should be placed in a place where it is not easy to be collided and does not hinder traffic. It is best to choose places with concentrated lighting, concentrated vehicles, concentrated buildings and certain characteristics.

have displays of fireworks

Shooting fireworks at night can't be as relaxed and nervous as shooting the scene. In the whole process of shooting fireworks, half a camera was set up. When the fireworks are about to take off and land, open door B and let the fireworks bloom and float in the night sky in the shooting range until they go out, so that the whole process can be recorded on the negative. In the shooting part, after the fireworks are opened, open the shutter when they are about to bloom or bloom, and shoot the most representative moment. Multiple exposures can be taken, and the same negative can be exposed for two or more times. The exposure time can be shorter when shooting fireworks, and longer when shooting ground scenery. In addition, you can shoot separately from two negatives, that is, one negative shoots fireworks and the other negative shoots ground scenery and people. The exposure time is different. After exposure, the two films are stacked together. Be careful not to shoot fireworks and scenery with negatives. It's best to put fireworks near the top of the film and scenery near the bottom of the film, so it's much easier to enlarge the two films together.

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Shoot the moon scene

The following methods can be used to shoot moonlit scenery:

(1) long exposure, shooting the scenery in the moonlight alone; Take a short exposure, shoot the moon alone, and then overlap and enlarge the two negatives.

(2) When exposing on the negative, cover the moon on the lens with your hand (it is best to try it before shooting to prevent even the scenery from being blocked), and then move your hand until the last few seconds of exposure, so that the moon can be exposed on the negative.

Shoot night scenes and add portraits.

Taking portraits at night is also very interesting and unique in life photography. The shooting method is relatively simple and easy to master. One shot and two exposures can be used.

(1) One shot

Because the light source of portraits is often weak when shooting at night, auxiliary light must be used as the light source of portraits (such as flash, etc.). ). When shooting, the aperture should not be large, so you can use F/5.6 or F/8 aperture, because a large aperture is easy to blur the night scene background.

(2) Two exposures

If the background light of the night scene is weak, we can expose it twice. Expose the night scene for the first time, and then add flash exposure when taking portraits for the second time, which is very suitable for taking portraits at night.

Iv. Equipment and tools for shooting night scenes

(1) Both domestic and imported cameras used by amateur photographers are equipped with B-door equipment, which is enough for photographers to shoot ordinary night scenes. Imported single-mirror reflective camera is better. The simple camera of automaton is more difficult to shoot night scenes because there is no delayed exposure device.

(2) Cable release and lens cover

Night photography, under normal circumstances, the exposure time is longer. If you press the shutter button with your finger and shake it slightly, the images will overlap. Therefore, the cable and lens cover are essential equipment for night shooting. For those exposed for a few seconds, cable release can be used, for those exposed for a long time or exposed for many times. It is more convenient to use the lens cover.

(3) tripod

Tripod is an indispensable auxiliary tool for shooting night scenes. When the camera is exposed for a long time and many times, the best way is to fix the camera on a tripod.

(4) Other sporadic equipment

Such as flashlights, hoods, etc. You should be prepared in advance. Flashlight can illuminate to measure distance, switch shutter, aperture or find parts. The hood also plays a certain role in shooting night scenes. For example, when it rains or the light is messy, wearing a hood can protect the lens from moisture and prevent light from entering the lens.

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