How can I take pictures in the dark when my camera doesn't have a night vision facility?

Question

My camera doesn't have a night facility, so in the night time you have to just aim at where your supposed to ba taking the photo and hope for the best. Is there something I can get so I can see what I;m taking a photo of? My boyfriend says I can get some kind of mini light to put on the front of the camera, is this true. Apart from getting another camera

Thanks, I meant when your in a dark place, like a pub or club, not at home.

Answer 1

Get a tripod and use the timer function and the automatic exposure setting. Or put the camera on top of a wall or other flat surface (like your car's hood). That way your pictures won't be all blurry and wobbly.

Answer 2

Low-light photography is difficult at the best of times.

It very much depends on the camera model and its features and what you are trying to take a photo of.

For example, if you want to take a photo of your boyfriend and he is 2-3 meters from you, using the flash should do the trick.

If you want to take a photo of say the Eiffel Tower at night, you'll need to increase the ISO (which is the "films" sensitivity to light) and open the shutter for longer so that it allows in more light. Some cameras have a "night mode" (which normally has a moon icon) which does this for you. However, because the shutter is open for longer, you will need to keep the camera very still to avoid blurring the image. Use a tripop or rest the camera on something steady. If the image is still burred, try also turning on the timer function, so that the action of pressing the button doesn't accidentally move the camera.

Your boyfriend is right, you can buy an external light, but I have never tried one and this will only be suitable for short distances (perhaps slightly further than a flash). If you don't have a night mode, or ability to change any of the settings I've mentioned, then you're unlikely to capture anything and should consider upgrading your camera.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Ha ha, I love the suggestion to use a halogen lamp. That should go down well at the bar!
Low light photography (i.e. without a flash) requires 2 things:
* A camera where you can crank the ISO up to 1600+
* A light sensitive lens.
To put it differently, you'd need a digital SLR.
Compact cameras just aren't suited for low light work. Some are better than others, but none are actually good at it (it's just not a priority).
A tripod won't work either, not for people shots. Those suggestions were probably made before you modified your question.
Your best bet would be to use the flash and get in close.

Answer 4

Yes your boyfriend is right. You can get an external flash for your camera, but it can be very irritating as you have to activate them seperately. Using your camera and external flash at the same time may make your hand shake and end in getting an unclear photo. instead you can do the following:
(i) DO NOT SHAKE YOU HAND EVEN A BIT. A photo in the dark will be a fiasco even if it is a little blurred. you can compare 2 night-time photos, one clear and one blurred (jus a lil bit). You will see the difference.
(ii) When out door at night, make full use of moonlight and street light. They have the same effect as that of a low quality flash.
If you are not satisfied, then I cannot see any other alternative than saving up and buying a digital camera.

Answer 5

I love all the answers to your question. However, they are all presumptions!

You did not say what make or type of camera you were using.

Is it 35mm film or is it digital (compact or SLR)?

Only then can you find out the correct answer to your question.

Answer 6

With out light you can take picture of darkness. Do that. If your boy friend is Black, you can.

Answer 7

change the shutter settings to have a long exposure time... and of course don't hold it in your hands: you move too much when the shutter settings are modified that way.

Answer 8

Turn the light on!

Answer 9

Use portable halogen lamp. Its available plenty in India. You may get similar accessory from SONY.

http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_BrowseCatalog-Start?CategoryName=dcc_DIMainAccessories&Dept=cameras&CP=sony_hm_nav_elec_digcamacc&ref=http%3A//www.sony.com/index.php

http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_BrowseCatalog-Start?CategoryName=acc_DIAccessories_DIFlashes&Dept=cameras

Answer 10

Buy a new camera.