How To Take Good Night Shots Of Your Shack?

[JohnnyGalaga]

What are some good tips for making radio backlights and computer monitors not coming out blurry in a night shot with a digital camera?

[feedbak]

Originally Posted by JohnnyGalaga

What are some good tips for making radio backlights and computer monitors not coming out blurry in a night shot with a digital camera?

I would play around with the F Stop and shutter speed, also the ISO. That is if you have manual mode on your digi.

[n0doz]

Tripod, tripod, tripod! There's no substitute for a steady platform for your camera. Then you can leave the flash off and let the LEDs do their thing.

[JohnnyGalaga]

I have a tripod but I don't know what else to try The photos still come out blurry Should the shutter speed go up or down? What's an F-stop?

[feedbak]

Originally Posted by JohnnyGalaga

I have a tripod but I don't know what else to try The photos still come out blurry Should the shutter speed go up or down? What's an F-stop?

If you have the shutter open longer it will capture more of the light around everything. Messing with the shutter you have to use a tripod. F-Stop is adjusting how open or closed the center of the lens is for letting in more or less light. What you may want to do is set the shutter speed to be real low (open longest) and then real fast. Compare the 2 shots and see what one you like best. You can then play up or down from your starting point. Generally speaking though you need a slower shutter speed with less light.

[feedbak]

Originally Posted by n0doz

Tripod, tripod, tripod! There's no substitute for a steady platform for your camera. Then you can leave the flash off and let the LEDs do their thing.

yes definitely flash off

[hotdjdave]

When you are pressing the button to take the picture, don't push it down all the way. This allows the camera (if you have a half-way descent one) to make the proper adjustments and lighting levels. The camera should indicate to you that it is ready. Then follow through with the push all the way to take the picture.

As n0doz wrote, a tripod is important; or at least prop the camera on something steady.

Get out your manual and check out what the manufacturer suggests for low light situations and what settings on your camera need to be for low light situations.

EDIT: One other thing you can do is at first leave the lights on in the room, turn off the auto-focus on the camera, set the camera up on a tripod (or some way where it won't move), manually focus the shot, turn off the lights, then do the other things that were suggested (take the shot). The auto-focus is what usually ruins shots in very low-light situations - there is nothing on which to focus.

Here are some web sources:
http://www.rlrouse.com/photography-at-night.html
http://www.shutterbug.net/refresherc...ps/index1.html
http://www.shutterbug.net/equipmentr...ght/index.html
http://www.shutterbug.net/equipmentr...ht/index1.html
http://www.ephotozine.com/techniques....cfm?recid=170
http://www.dpreview.com/learn/?/Imag...t_Spots_01.htm
http://www.schoolofphotography.com/night/night.html#int
http://www.schoolofphotography.com/night/night2.html
http://www.schoolofphotography.com/night/night3.html

[GreatLakes]

You're camera's auto-focus is probably not getting enough light to function properly. While the lights are still on, switch to manual focus, and make sure the lens is focused properly. Then turn the lights out, and take your picture. See if that helps. It might also be better to have a small light in the room, to eliminate harsh shadows, and still give the picture some visible meaning, rather than just bright blobs of light in total darkness.

[Raccon]

Use a tripod and self-timer, that prevents the camera from shaking when you press the button (as the shutter opens with a delay then). This of course also works for normal / SLR cameras when taking night pictures.