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NIGHT LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY
I THINK THIS IS A SUBJECT I HAVE NEVER COVERED. AS YOU MAY BE AWARE, I HAVE DONE OVER 1000 BLOGS, ALL ON PHOTOGRAPHY. YOU MIGHT EXPECT THAT THERE ARE A FEW REPEATS IN THOSE THOUSAND BLOGS, AND THERE IS, JUST DONE BY DIFFERENT AUTHORS, SO THAT MAYBE WE CAN LEARN FROM DIFFERENT PHOTOGRAPHERS. AND THEN THIS ONE COMES ALONG. I HAPPENED TO EXPERIMENT WITH THIS TYPE OF PHOTOGRAPHY JUST RECENTLY, AND WAS FASCINATED WITH IT MYSELF. I WAS AT A BALLOON FESTIVAL, AND THE NIGHT BEFORE THEY LAUNCHED THE BALLOONS, THEY HAD A NIGHT BURN, WHERE THEY HAD 3 LARGE BALLOONS LIGHT UP THEIR BALLOONS AT DARK, SO YOU COULD SEE THE BALLOONS LIGHT UP AT NIGHT TIME. HERE IS ONE PHOTO:
You can tell that this photo was taken at night, you can see some stars in the far left top corner of this photo. But, the amazing thing is how bright the photo turned out with NO FLASH. Look at the skyline over the mountains. I am now a believer that night photographer of Landscapes could be a very fun photo adventure.
I found this article written by: Steve Paxton for PIcture /Correct and he specializes in this type of photography. I thought you might enjoy this article and go out and try it yourself:
Many photographers assume that once the sun goes down, so do the opportunities to take spectacular landscape images. Some of my favorite photographs were taken under extremely low light or nearly pitch-black conditions. In fact, I have found that the darker it is the better results I usually get in my images. You are more likely to pick up unusual colors not typically visible to the naked eye while capturing wonderful streaks in the sky when shooting at night. Here are a few suggestions that will help you capture great nighttime landscapes.
Scout out locations during daylight hours
This is extremely important because it will be difficult at best to find good places suitable for nighttime photography during hours of darkness. I normally try to find several potential spots where I can go to shoot during a single trip out. Look for areas where it is safe to park your car and where you might be able to setup your tripod.
I have found myself standing right next to lonely country roads, in deep ditches, and over irrigation sloughs to get just the right composition. Having a specific place to setup in mind before it gets dark can save you a lot of time and frustration.
Find a strong subject to anchor your image
A good landscape image typically has something of interest in the foreground to grab the viewer’s attention. Whether it is an old barn, hollowed out tree, or windy creek, try looking for something to make your image visually interesting. Also keep in mind the rule of thirds when composing your shots.
Avoid artificial light
The farther away you can get from city lights, the better your images will turn out. I have found that shooting in nearly pitch-dark conditions using long shutter speeds pulls out colors and tones not generally visible to the naked eye. I typically drive an hour or more to get to locations that have few or no artificial lights. Nearby artificial lighting will not kill a decent landscape image; however it can overwhelm the subtle ambient light that is naturally present. Remember that you can adjust the color temperature of your images later in processing so do not let a nearby light spoil your evening.
Do not trespass
Nothing ruins a night of landscape photography faster than being contacted by the police for trespassing on someone’s property -especially at night (I know this from experience). My general rule of thumb is if the area in question has a fence around it, a sign posted advising that trespassing is not allowed, or if it appears that someone is caring for the property, I usually stay out. I have been pretty successful at obtaining permission to go onto private property to take photographs; however remember to do this during the day. Being respectful and courteous can help you get into places that might be ordinarily off limits.
Take the right gear
Obviously you will need a sturdy tripod and remote bulb switch for the long exposures. I almost always shoot landscapes with a wide-angle lens. If you are shooting in cooler weather, ensure you have a fully charged camera battery and even consider bringing a second one with you. Between shooting in cold or cooler weather and long exposure times, battery life can dwindle quickly.
Be sure to bring a couple of flashlights along too. I typically bring a small LED light to adjust the exposure and shutter speed on my camera so as not to ruin my night vision. I also bring a small, high intensity Surefire flashlight to quickly shine on my foreground subject to get my image initially focused. There is nothing more frustrating than staying out all night shooting landscapes just to return home to find the main subject out of focus because it was too dark. I consider a bright flashlight so important that I will return home if I forget to bring it.
Bring warm cloths and snacks
Most of my images required between 5 and fifteen minutes to properly expose. I also typically take several shots of same composition at varying exposures (manual bracketing). This means that there is a lot of lag time between photographs. Standing outside in the middle of the night-even during the summertime-can get chilly. I usually wear pants; bring a light fleece jacket, cap, gloves, and light walking boots. I also recommend wearing something reflective so that passing drivers can easily see you. Bringing along snacks helps the time go by while waiting between exposures.
Consider shooting in RAW format
If you have not started doing this already, this might be a good time to begin shooting in RAW format. Nighttime landscape images are typically shot with long duration shutter speeds and the results are unpredictable. Shooting in RAW format offers you the ability to push shots a stop in either direction depending on your needs.
Carefully consider your composition
Most of the time you are not going to see much of anything but black through the viewfinder. I usually start out by taking a short exposure of what I think is a properly composed shot. For example, I found myself standing in nearly pitch-black conditions for the shot below. The light visible in the horizon in the image was only faintly visible to me while taking the photographs. I started out by exposing the image at f-3.5 for about 30-seconds. This yielded a very dark image; however I was able to at least see the overall composition. I ended up needing to straighten out the skyline and move the composition upward to include more of the sky. After taking several short duration exposures, I was ready to start zeroing in on a proper shutter speed.
Since I am usually shooting in very dark conditions, I rarely raise my f-stop up past f-3.5 or f-4.5. Remember that each time you close your aperture down by one stop, you are doubling the exposure time. This can really add up if you are starting out with a ten-minute exposure.
Keep it in focus
Take the time to get your image in sharp focus. As I mentioned above, having a bright flashlight will make it easier to use your camera’s automatic focus. This is method I prefer because I never know if the image is truly focused if I set the focus manually (since it is typically so dark). I usually focus on a main foreground subject using a high intensity flashlight. When that isn’t possible, I sometimes try to focus on the horizon or a bright object in the distance such as a streetlight. I have even been successful finding a focus point by using distant stars. If all else fails and your camera refuses to settle in on a focus point, switch to manual focus mode and start experimenting.
Consider including the sky as much as possible
The beauty of nighttime landscape photography is the wonderful tones, textures, and colors you get in the sky. Each time I go out, I come back with something new. I have found clear or partially cloudy nights work best. I especially love shooting nighttime landscapes when a few high altitude, thin cirrus clouds are moving through the area. These clouds, against a clear night sky, turn into feathery streaks during long exposures. Pay attention to where the bright stars are and do the best you can to include them in your shot. I have found setting the shutter speed to 5-minutes or longer creates beautiful streaks of light from the individual stars.
Use the bulb setting on your camera
After arriving and setting up my camera on a tripod, I take several test shots to confirm my composition. At this point I also lock in on the focus. The test shots I take will range from 30-60 second exposures at f-3.5. This usually gives me just enough of an image preview in my camera’s LCD to allow me to adjust and finalize the overall composition. Next I work to find the ideal shutter speed. I typically have a rough idea of how much time I am going to need to expose the shot after looking at the 30-second test shots I took. This can range from two or three minutes to 15-minutes depending on the lighting conditions. I usually try to adjust my in-camera exposure settings so that my shutter speed is at least five minutes or longer. I do this in hopes of capturing the unique and interesting colors and tones present in the non-visible ambient light. I also want to get as much streaking out of the stars and clouds in the sky as possible.
Keep in mind that each f-stop increment upward doubles your shutter speed. For example, if the settings for a properly exposed image are f-4 at 120-seconds, then the shutter speed would jump to around 240-seconds if you bumped your f-stop up to f-5.6. This can add up real quick!
Keep in mind that each f-stop increment upward doubles your shutter speed. For example, if the settings for a properly exposed image are f-4 at 120-seconds, then the shutter speed would jump to around 240-seconds if you bumped your f-stop up to f-5.6. This can add up real quick!
About the Author:
Steve Paxton currently lives with his wife and two children in the Seattle area. Steve has been a photographer for over ten years and has spent most of that time shooting with a variety of Canon 35mm cameras. His experience ranges from wedding and portrait work to crime scene photography; although he particularly enjoys the solitude of shooting landscapes.
Here are few more examples of Night Landscape photography:
AMERICA’S MOST STUNNING LAKES !
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: Everyone loves taking photos of a beautiful lake with their scenery photo. Here are 15 of the most stunning lakes in America! Have you been to any of these? Photos of the Week: August 22nd, 2019
Watery wonders
The US has around 125,000 lakes in its lower 48 states alone, while Alaska blows that out of the water, claiming to have a whopping three million watery wonders. They’re almost always gorgeous and are often some of the best places for fun activities from fishing to stand-up paddleboard yoga. Here we take a look at the most stunning lakes around America and what you can do there.
Mono Lake, close to Yosemite National Park, is twice as salty as an ocean because it has no outlets. Covering 70 square miles, this so-called inland sea formed more than 760,000 years ago, yet its most striking features – the spindly limestone tufa towers – were exposed in the 1980s thanks to lowering water levels.
Photo by: Thorin Wolfhart / Shutterstock
This is the type of natural beauty you could stare at for hours, especially at sunrise and sunset (both are equally spectacular). It also deserves to be seen from different angles. Hike trails in the shadow of the Sierra Nevada mountains, whose snow-capped peaks are mirrored in the water on clear days, spot waterfowl and wild horses (often seen in nearby meadows), or slice through that pristine blue water on a canoe or kayak.
Photo by: throttlefortwo / Shutterstock
Vast Yellowstone Lake freezes completely in winter and thaws in late spring, but it’s strikingly beautiful at any time of year. Bordered by Yellowstone National Park‘s vivid geothermal springs, its shimmering surface conceals hidden depths. Recent research has found that, if the lake were drained of water, it would reveal geysers, hot springs and canyons like those found around its edges and elsewhere in the park.
Photo by Kris Wiktor / shutterstock
You can’t swim here and you probably wouldn’t want to in the icy water. But, in summer, you can kayak around narrow inlets and coves surrounded by alpine forests and mountain peaks. Or go wildlife spotting in the meadows and woodland. Spring is the most charming time, when bighorn lambs, bear cubs, elk calves and baby bison can often be spotted (from a safe distance)
Photo by: Bobs Creek Photography / Shutterstock
For many, Lake Tahoe, which spans two states, is synonymous with skiing. High-end resorts perch on its shores and in the mountains that provide a scenic backdrop. The Nevada side also has casinos (obviously).
Photo by: Topseller / Shutterstock
Late summer and fall are relatively (and refreshingly) quiet. Crowds melt away with the snow and it becomes a serene spot for camping, hiking and swimming from sand and pebble beaches. Trek the Rubicon Trail in South Lake Tahoe, on the California side, for some of the best scenery. You’ll pass teeny beaches, coves and huge boulders to reach Emerald Bay State Park, where you can kayak from the beach and around tiny Fannette Island, topped with an abandoned 1920s teahouse.
Photo by: Foureyed Jimmy / Shutterstock
Montana is drowning in beautiful bodies of water, with more than 3,000 lakes and reservoirs across the state. It’s hard to pick the prettiest but we reckon Avalanche Lake just edges into the lead thanks to its crystalline, glacier-fed water, forested shores and the Rocky Mountains, which shimmer in the distance like the most striking wallpaper.
Photo by: Raj Krish / Shutterstock
The Glacier National Park lake is a little too chilly for swimming (though you can dip in a toe or five from lake beaches) and it’s prone to avalanches in winter, hence the name. But it’s a fabulously serene spot for picnicking and hiking in warmer months. It’s relatively quiet too, thanks in part to the fact it’s only reachable via a half-day trail that passes cedar forest, gorges and waterfalls.
Photo by: Brent Buterbaugh / Shutterstock
Though more famous for its music, food and nightlife, Austin has a surprising amount of green spaces – and blue, for that matter. Lady Bird Lake is actually a reservoir whose skinny shape makes it look more like a river. It was created in 1960 as a cooling pond for a power plant and was later renamed after former president Lyndon B Johnson’s wife, Claudia “Lady Bird” Johnson.
Photo by: Skylar Dawn / Shutterstock
Nowadays, it’s all about cooling down the city’s residents, especially in the often-sweltering summer heat. On weekends it’s invariably scattered with kayakers and stand-up paddleboarders (SUP). Because it’s Austin, you’ll also spot people taking SUP yoga classes. Swimming is prohibited but is allowed at Barton Springs, whose refreshingly cool waters flow into the lake. Come nightfall, everyone paddles over to watch 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats flutter from beneath Congress Avenue Bridge like ash in the breeze
Photo by: Kushal Bose / Shutterstock
Alaska makes even Montana look a little dried-up. The northernmost state has around three million lakes which makes you wonder how there’s any dry land at all. Some are seasonal, fed by snowmelt and glaciers, while Lake Clark – part of Lake Clark National Preserve – can be enjoyed and gazed upon year-round.
Photo by Lake Clark NPS / Facebook
One of many lakes in the preserve, Lake Clark’s skinny, turquoise body stretches to around 50 miles (80km) in length and the limpid water is fed by waterfalls, rivers, streams and glaciers. It’s best explored by power boat or kayak, keeping an eye out for wildlife such as brown bears and bald eagles.
Photo by: Florida Stock / Shutterstock
Redfish Lake, part of Sawtooth National Forest, is named for the huge quantities of sockeye salmon that used to arrive there after a 900-mile (1,448-km) migration from the Pacific Ocean, though the number has drastically dwindled. The water’s placid surface provides a mirror for the Sawtooth Mountains.
Photo by CSNafzger / Shutterstock
There’s something for everyone here. Rent boats, pontoons and paddleboards from the marina; explore the surrounding alpine forest and mountain trails by foot or on horseback; or just lounge on one of the sandy beaches, which provide easy access to the lake’s shallower edges.
Photo by: Martina Genis / Shutterstock
It’s hard to argue with the seemingly boastful name of Lake Superior when you’re standing on its shores. The biggest of the Great Lakes chain and the world’s largest freshwater lake by surface area (it covers 31,700 square miles), it feels more like an ocean. There are islands – some of which have their own mini lakes and waterfalls – and even shipwrecks.
Photo by: Kenneth Keifer / Shutterstock
Several companies run scuba and snorkeling tours to explore the depths. If you prefer keeping your head above water, visit one of its many beaches or go on a boat trip around Isle Royale National Park, an archipelago of more than 200 islands. The largest, Isle Royale, has a network of hiking trails and wildlife including wolves and moose.
Photo by: Drewthehobit / Shutterstock
Mother Nature is a pretty talented painter but man-made lakes can be equally gorgeous as their natural counterparts. None prove it quite so convincingly as Lake Powell, which straddles Utah and Arizona. Mind you, the reservoir’s appeal is rather boosted by its proximity to natural bridges, dams and canyons carved into red and apricot rock.
Photo by: Johnny Adolphson / Shutterstock
Its beauty hasn’t gone unnoticed. The lake has featured in films such as the 1968 version of Planet of the Apes and Oscar-winning Gravity, released in 2013. You don’t have to be a Hollywood star to enjoy the many activities, from fishing and boat tours to kayaking and paddleboarding.
Photo by: Oksana.perkins / Shutterstock
Many lakes are described as turquoise but Diablo Lake outdoes them all. Its vivid appearance is caused by flour-like particles ground from the rock of surrounding glaciers, and illuminated by sunlight. The result is breathtaking, especially viewed from trails in North Cascades National Park.
Photo by: Asif Islam / Shutterstock
Seattle City Light runs boat cruises on the lake, passing snow-capped peaks and waterfalls, and scouring the land for wildlife like black-tailed deer and hoary marmots, who whistle when they sense a predator is nearby. The reservoir is also popular with kayakers and hikers, with a network of mountain and forest trails.
Photo by: Tristen Brynildsen / Shutterstock
Lake George is nicknamed the Queen of American Lakes and Thomas Jefferson, the USA’s third president, described it as “the most beautiful water I ever saw”. We can confirm that the natural wonder, which glistens at the base of the Adirondack Mountains, lives up to the hype. Its proximity to New York City, and its sheer beauty, have long attracted jet-setters looking to escape the summer heat.
Photo by: Colin D. Young / Shutterstock
Nowadays, you don’t need to be a multi-millionaire to camp by the lakeshore, tour nearby vineyards, hike through old-growth forests or launch a kayak from Million Dollar Beach. Though it helps if you want to stay at the more luxurious lodges or take a hot air balloon ride. The area also hosts Lake George Music Festival each August, with classical music performed at various indoor and outdoor locations.
Photo taken by: CE Photography / Shutterstock
America’s deepest lake (a staggering 1,943 feet/592m) is often the most difficult to see. In winter, it’s common for people to drive there only to be greeted by a wall of fog. If it falls away, the view of this caldera basin, a collapsed volcano filled with rain and snowmelt, feels all the more special. Go in summer for the best chance to take in its blindingly blue beauty.
Photo by: Lindsay Snow / Shutterstock
While you can snowshoe in winter, summer offers the most activities. Seasonal boat tours travel around the volcanic islands, including one resembling a wizard’s hat, and a bobbing hemlock tree trunk known as the Old Man of the Lake. You can also swim around Fumarole Bay, though you may not want to stay in very long – the water is a teeth-chattering 54°F (12ºC).
Photo by: Gibson Outdoor Photo / Shutterstock
Lake Jocassee is another man-made beauty proving natural isn’t always best. This reservoir was created in 1973 and is fed by cool, clear water flowing from Appalachian mountain rivers. The shores are largely undeveloped with tucked-away coves, rocky outcrops and swimming spots by waterfalls.
Photo taken by: digidreamgrafix / Shutterstock
Visitors can access the lake through Devil’s Fork State Park to hike trails or get on the water in a canoe or kayak, gazing up at the surrounding steep, gray-blue gorges and distant mountains. You can camp close to the lake and, in summer, swim or scuba dive in the clear waters.
Photo taken by: digidreamgrafix / shutterstock
Waterfalls cascade into shimmering, spearmint-hued pools at Hanging Lake, located in Glenwood Canyon. The water might look inviting but sadly, swimming is prohibited – and the lake would look very different if everyone jumped in. The lake is so-named because it appears to hang from a cliff and its dramatic beauty more than makes up for its small size.
Photo taken by: CLP Media / Shutterstock
There’s a raised wooden walkway around the lake with signs explaining its history, geology and wildlife, including native trout which are visible beneath the sheer surface. If you like to earn your views, follow the 9.5-mile (15-km) Glenwood Canyon Recreation Path from the town of Glenwood Springs to reach the lakeside trail.
Photo taken by: Cascade Creatives / Shutterstock
This swampy lake straddles Texas and Louisiana, and it could hardly be more Southern in its feel and appearance. Spanish moss drips from cypress trees, whose broad, knotted trunks are submerged in the soupy water. Alligators can be occasionally spotted basking on logs while Sasquatch spotters claim this is prime Bigfoot territory (they call him the ‘Caddo critter’ here).
Photo by: Lazyllama / Shutterstock
We can’t guarantee you’ll see the hairy creature but we can promise you’ll be charmed by the lake’s ethereal, slightly spooky beauty. Paddling in a kayak or canoe is by far the best way to explore its bayous and waterways, keeping an eye out for herons, armadillos and turtles. And Bigfoot, of course.
Photo by: Gary A. Edwards / Shutterstock
Are responsible for putting this together, and this was first located on the main website at MSN.com. Our sincere thanks to them for letting us borrow these magnificent photos. They were amazing.
Canon May Produce an Unprecedented 50-80mm f/1.1 Lens
By: Jaymes Dempsey on August 20, 2019 From Digital Photography School.
Are you a Canon user?
If so, you’ll be happy to know that Canon continues to push the boundaries of camera gear innovation.
Because earlier this month, a Canon patent was published, one that detailed plans for a new lens: a 50-80mm f/1.1 zoom.
Yes, you read that right.
According to the Canon patent, the lens would have a fixed maximum aperture across its entire focal length range, maintaining its f/1.1 maximum aperture from 50mm to 80mm.
A fixed-aperture f/1.1 Canon lens would certainly make waves. None of Canon’s recent lenses have an f/1.1 aperture. The closest lens is the Canon 50mm f/1.2. So this lens will certainly appeal to those who enjoy unique equipment.
The f/1.1 aperture would be ideal for portrait photographers. The wide aperture would allow for stunning background bokeh. And it would also allow for photography in low light, which is perfect for those who shoot indoors or at night.
Plus, the 50-80mm focal length is great for portrait photography of any kind. At 50mm, portrait photographers can get some standard shots. At 80mm, you can go in for a tighter image.
Street photographers will also be a fan of 50-80mm, given how 50mm is often considered the fundamental street photography focal length.
A zoom lens such as this one would likely exist as part of Canon’s RF lineup, which is rumored to expand over the course of the next year.
Note that some patents never actually amount to anything. In other words, just because Canon patents the designs doesn’t mean that they will send the product to market. But it’s interesting to see Canon thinking about such incredible new equipment.
So keep your eyes peeled, Canon users.
And even if the Canon 50-80mm f/1.1 lens is never produced, it’s certainly piqued consumers’ imaginations!
