Tips for better night photography of crashed vehicles

[bharathsf]

Hi

I do road traffic accident research in India. I have to take a lot of night photographs of vehicles . I take it with a canon G9 which is a really good camera but I think I do not have the right techniques to take night photographs. My biggest problem is adjusting the light settings which is why I usually use the auto function but I am not happy with the results. Can you please give me tips to adjust the ISO settings along with the aperture and shutter speed settings so that I can get good night photos.

[rharrison]

Use a tripod and the camera timer without a doubt. You'll be able to get some longer shutter speeds to keep your ISO low. By using the timer you'll give your tripod and camera a few seconds to stop shaking from your shutter press before the picture actually gets taken. A remote trigger would be even better but this is a great trick that won't cost any money.

[i speak in math]

Originally Posted by rharrison

Use a tripod and the camera timer without a doubt. You'll be able to get some longer shutter speeds to keep your ISO low. By using the timer you'll give your tripod and camera a few seconds to stop shaking from your shutter press before the picture actually gets taken. A remote trigger would be even better but this is a great trick that won't cost any money.

The G9 isn't a DSLR and doesn't have a shutter. Like all point and shoots, it is electronic sensor based. No need for a timer here.

[Eastree]

Need for a timer? Absolutely yes. Shake will still affect a rolling shutter.

[Kretch]

Originally Posted by Eastree

Need for a timer? Absolutely yes. Shake will still affect a rolling shutter.

LOL, I agree. I remember shooting some track and field way back years ago with my Ricoh Point and shoot. I pro photographer saw my frustration at the blurry pics and said "here, use my tripod for a few and see the difference". Holy cow, his tripod consumed my little camera. If you stepped back a ways you couldn't see it sitting on top, LOL. But, I will tell you this, I set it at 2 sec timer and the pictures came out clear as a bell. I was sold on tripods for ALL events that don't require me to move.

[i speak in math]

i agree with using the tripod, but the timer is used so that the camera movement can settle after the mirror flips up out of the way. Thats why higher end cameras, especially medium format ones, often have dedicated buttons for MLU (mirror lock up). The vibration from the mirror flipping up can blur a shot. Without a mirror or shutter mechanism, there is no need to wait for this vibration to settle. There is no for the timer. The tripod, however, is quite necessary.

[jdepould]

Originally Posted by i speak in math

i agree with using the tripod, but the timer is used so that the camera movement can settle after the mirror flips up out of the way. Thats why higher end cameras, especially medium format ones, often have dedicated buttons for MLU (mirror lock up). The vibration from the mirror flipping up can blur a shot. Without a mirror or shutter mechanism, there is no need to wait for this vibration to settle. There is no for the timer. The tripod, however, is quite necessary.

You're addressing a different kind of vibration. The self timer isn't an exposure delay, even on a DSLR. The self timer removes the photog's hand, which can definitely introduce movement to the camera body, from the equation, regardless of camera size or configuration.

[bharathsf]

Thanks guys for the suggestions. I am going to definitely try and use the tripod technique.

[rharrison]

Originally Posted by jdepould

You're addressing a different kind of vibration. The self timer isn't an exposure delay, even on a DSLR. The self timer removes the photog's hand, which can definitely introduce movement to the camera body, from the equation, regardless of camera size or configuration.

He's right. On Canon DSLR cameras that have a mirror lock up option the first press of the shutter flips the mirror up and the second press actually opens the shutter curtains. Using the timer when you press the shutter the mirror flips up instantly and the shutter curtains open at the end of the time set giving the camera a few seconds to stop shaking before the picture is taken.

[Oracheski]

If I have to shoot a late-night accident, I've used a tripod and set the camera for (depending on the circumstances) f8, ISO 400-800, and a 15-20 second exposure, then used a hand-held flash to light it from a variety of spots.

Probably have to do it a couple times to get the idea of what proper settings for conditions are. You can get some great shots that way though.