PHOTOS THAT INSPIRE PHOTO WORKSHOP

Chapter 5. Night, Low Light, and Magic Hour Photography

Twilight, nighttime and low light offer some of the best opportunities to shoot dramatic images. You can photograph such diversity as clouds bathed in a blaze of color just after sunset, a city skyline at dusk, or the dark interior of a historical building. Many photographers purposely seek the light that occurs the first hour of dusk — there's no need to pack up your camera just because the sun has gone down. Whether you're shooting outdoors in the evening or indoors in a low-light situation, chances are that you'll make long exposures. This requires use of a tripod and a cable release to avoid shaking the camera when it's set for several seconds or on a bulb (B) setting. You also want to carefully meter your exposures, as there may be sources of light that appear in the frame that can fool your camera's meter. Bracket your exposures and shoot lots of images.

"Red Steam"

© Bert Hustad

Gilbert, Arizona

Although many photographers may pass up an industrial scene in favor of more traditional subjects, these sites often have visual intrigue, especially when photographed at night. Like landscapes or city skylines, most industrial settings have a particular mood that's distinctly their own. Try to find a viewpoint or a special technique that helps capture the site's special atmosphere. For example, this photographer used a long time exposure ...