You don't need an expensive editing program to take creative night-time photographs. A manual setting on your digital camera and a decent tripod opens up a world of possibilities where you can experiment endlessly until you have an image you are happy with, writes Stephen Jaquiery.
KNOX COLLEGE
Shooting stars? ... A solid tripod and steady hand help with this crazy picture. With the camera's 80-200mm lens centred on Knox College the camera was set to a five-second exposure at f2.8. Releasing the shutter I waited perhaps three seconds to capture the bright form of the college and then zoomed the lens, giving the street lights a streaking effect. If your attempts are too light or dark try adjusting the ISO to make the sensor more or less sensitive.
TOITU GHOST
Whoever said the camera doesn't lie? This "ghost'' was captured outside Toitu Otago Settlers Museum with its pretty night lights. I started with a tripod but soon ditched it to achieve a lower camera angle. Holding the camera firmly on the footpath with both the building and ghost in the frame I released the shutter on a three-second exposure. After about a second my "ghost'' moved quickly out of shot giving this see-though effect.
BARTONS BUILDING
The recently refurbished Bartons building on the corner of Stafford and Princes Sts now also sports new outside lights. To add some interest to this photograph, a 30-second exposure was used to capture light trails from passing vehicles. These trails, which are even more effective when photographed from above, add an extra dimension to busy night-time cityscapes.
