how do i take a photo of rear lights of a car at night on a digital camera?

Answer 1

Either run really fast or wait for the car to stop. Just kidding.

If you are wanting to capture "light trails" you'll need a tripod, a long exposure and a camera in Manual Mode. If your camera allows a 15 second exposure you can use the self-timer on the camera. Otherwise you'll have to set the shutter speed to "B" or "T" (they mean the same thing - either lets you hold the shutter open as long as you want) and use a cable release.

Find a nice dark vantage point overlooking a busy highway. If there is any ambient light, use a lens hood. If there is a city skyline in the background all the better.

Try these settings:

ISO 100

f5.6 @ 15 seconds
f8 @ 30 seconds
f11 @ 60 seconds

ISO 200

f5.6 @ 8 seconds
f8 @ 15 seconds
f11 @ 30 seconds

Of course you may want to try different shutter speeds depending on the effect you get using my suggestions. DO NOT change anything else - just the shutter speed. I learned long ago to never change more than one variable at a time.
So if you decide to use ISO 200 and f8 and you don't like the image at 15 seconds then try 10 seconds or 20 seconds.

Answer 2

Use a tripod regardless, or else it will turn out blurry.

You could use night mode, but there is a huge chance that it will not turn out right.


Make sure the flash is turned off or you'll have a glare.
If you really have to use flash, adjust the exposure to the lowest number possible, and I'd suggest that you use macro.


How about you try to get the picture when it is 15-30 minutes away from the sun going down so you still have some natural lighting [which is good], and you coud always edit the background to look darker.

Answer 3

I agree with the first poster. I have an F10. It has a larger sensor (1/1.7") than most compact digital cameras (1/2.5") which helps it collect more light. Just make sure you buy a camera that can take pictures up to at least 15 seconds long. A tripod is nice, but any stationary object (like a table) will do. By the way, if you're budget allows, SLRs have even larger sensors. Just be careful not to get one with too many pixels, because the pixels will be smaller and not collect as much light.

Answer 4

Here's a version you might want to try:

Set a long exposure and use the Rear Curtain Sync on your flash as you pan.

If your flash has the option to choose between Front Curtain Sync and Rear Curtain Sync, choose the latter.

In Front Curtain Sync, the flash fires first (freezing the subject in motion) and then the shutter remains open to capture ambient light.

In Rear Curtain Sync, the shutter remains open to capture ambient light and the flash fires last (freezing the subject in motion) at the end of the exposure.

Since you want to see trailing lights, set a long shutter speed, then pan as the car approaches (the camera will record the trail lights), fires the flash when the car is right in front of you (you need to practice and time this) and freeze the picture of the car.

Answer 5

In exactly the same manner as you would with a regular camera using film. Dig out your CDS light meter (a particular type, CaDmium Sulfide, capable of measuring very low light levels accurately) and set the shutter and aperture manually and skip the flash. Of course, this assumes you can manually set these things on your fancy digital camera. Most digital cameras will not let you have the manual control you need in a low light situation as there is simply no way to disengage the automatic exposure control. This is the kind of situation in which there is no real substitute for a decent light meter and film. There are digital cameras which will allow this kind of control. However, they are quite expensive, as expensive as the very best film cameras.

Answer 6

photo rear lights car night digital camera

Answer 7

most cameras have a night mode which means the shutter says open longer (it allows more light into the lense) but you have to be INCREDIBLY still to do this or have a tripod.

Answer 8

turn the flash off?

Answer 9

use the red eye reducer..................
lol


turn the flash off