Want to take better photos with your smartphone after dark? Check out practical tips that will improve the quality of photos taken after sunset. From night mode to stabilization and editing, learn how to capture the magic of the night in just a few steps!
How to take photos with a smartphone at night?
Taking photos with a smartphone at night, and actually not only with a smartphone, raises several problems and requires appropriate knowledge. In this text you will find simple tricks that will prevent your night photos from looking like blurry chaos. Learn how to tame night mode, stabilization and manual settings. Say goodbye to blurry photos once and for all, or at least improve their quality!
Use night mode
Almost every modern smartphone has a night mode – and seriously, it’s worth using it. The phone will automatically extend the exposure time and combine several frames into one photo. This will reduce noise and capture more details.
Tip: Hold your phone tightly and try not to move it. Even the slightest twitch can turn your photo into a blur of light. If you have a tripod, just use it, but a window sill, a bench or even a backpack will also work.
Stabilization – a tripod or “whatever comes along”
Stabilization is the foundation of night photography. Did your hand shake? The photo goes to the trash and needs to be repeated. A tripod is a must have at night, but if you don’t have one, improvise! Lean your phone against something stable – a windowsill, a bench, a backpack. Don’t have anything like that on hand? Hold the phone with both hands, press your elbows to your body and… hold your breath!
Manual exposure settings
If you have professional (or manual) mode on your phone, don’t be afraid to turn it on. You have to click through the settings, which will take a bit more time, but the results should be worth it. What to pay attention to?
- Exposure time: 2-5 seconds is a good start. The longer the time, the more light will fall on the matrix. At the same time, remember that such exposure times can cause confusion in photos where something is moving. Sometimes this is the effect we want, but sometimes it won’t be the best idea.
- ISO: Keep them low (100-400) to avoid snowing. If the photo is too dark, increase the ISO, but don’t overdo it!
- White balance: Set it manually to avoid strange blue or yellow tones.
Enjoy the HDR function
HDR is a clever feature that combines several photos with different exposures into one. Thanks to this, you will capture more details even in very dark and very bright places. Perfect when you’re trying to capture neon signs against a dark sky. Turn on HDR and watch the scene come to life!
Use artificial light wisely
Built-in flash? Better turn it off! It will illuminate everything that is close, and the rest will be drowned in darkness. A better solution is a flashlight from another phone or a small lamp. Shine at an angle and you’ll create cool shadows and more depth.
Frame with light in mind
Instead of fighting the darkness, use it! Look for light sources – lanterns, neon signs, shop windows. Puddles can also work well – reflections of lights in the water can create a “wow” effect. These points of light can guide the viewer’s eyes through the photo, creating the so-called “leading lines”.
Use editing apps
Sometimes even the best photo needs a little tweaking. Smartphone Lightroom, Snapseed or VSCO will do the job. What is worth improving?
- Noise reduction: Don’t overdo it so as not to lose the details.
- Shadows: Pull them out a little so that the details don’t get lost in the darkness.
- White balance: If the colors are unnatural, adjust the temperature and everything will return to normal.
Experiment with long exposure
I’ve mentioned this before. Longer exposures are a great way to create creative effects – streaks of light from passing cars or blurred clouds. There are apps that will help you achieve these effects, such as Slow Shutter Cam (iOS) or Camera FV-5 (Android). Just remember one thing – a tripod is a “must have” for long exposure!
Avoid digital zoom
Digital zoom is the biggest enemy of photo quality, especially at night. If you need to zoom in on something, just… move closer. Alternatively, it is worth using a telephoto lens that zooms in optically, but not everyone has it. Otherwise – forget about “digital zoom”.
Photographing at night is a bit like survival – it requires patience, but it is rewarding. Try night mode, stabilize your phone properly and play around with manual settings. Thanks to these tricks, your night photos will definitely improve in quality.
