Night Photography timed exposures
Here is a example of a few night photos, with flash and with timed exposure.
The above is captured taken as a normal photo with a single flash. Background is dark and unable to show detail.
The image below is the exact same image taken only seconds later using the technique described below.
The above image is captured as a normal photo with a single flash. Background is dark and unable to show detail.
The image below is the exact same image taken only seconds later using the technique described below.
This is easily accomplished with a Nikon by mounting the external flash on the camera and set it for TTL setting. Set the flash on the camera for "Slow Sync". Set the camera to "P" for program and take the photo. The flash will light the foreground and the timed exposure will light the back ground. If not lighted as well as you like simply use the +/- setting on the camera to increase the exposure. You should use a shutter release cable or a wireless shutter release to stop any vibration in the camera. You may also use the self timer to stop any camera movement.
A second method is setting the camera on Manual mode with the same setup as before with flash on slow sync. Manually set the aperture and set the shutter speed to "B" for bulb. You can control the amount of light by simply using a watch to time the exposure. But in order to do this you must have a locking cable release to lock the shutter open. If the first exposure is at 8 seconds and you need more light then go to 15 seconds, then 30s, then 60s. Always double what you had before until you get a photo sufficient for your needs. The flash will light the foreground and the timed exposure will light the background.