Night photography is a genre of photographic art in which shooting is carried out outdoors at night (from dusk to dawn), including in infrared or ultraviolet light. Most often, such images depict nature, city lights and the starry sky, which brings night photography closer to landscape and astronomical ones. Also at night, portraits, fireworks, lightning, brightly lit industrial areas, roads with cars, reflecting ponds and other objects are shot. A high-quality night photo makes a strong impression and makes you take a fresh look at the familiar world.

The history of night photography

Night photography requires a complex technique, so in the early stages it could not occupy a serious place in photography. Nevertheless, attempts to photograph the sky and the city at night have been made since the 1840s. The first successful photograph of the moon was taken by American chemist and experimenter John William Draper. During the second half of the 19th century, two processes contributed to the development of the genre. First, the exposure time required was gradually reduced, making it easier to shoot. Secondly, electric lighting of city streets was spread.

At the beginning of the 20th century, night photography has ceased to be a rarity. Such works were often published in newspapers and magazines. Many famous masters of the past have tried their hand at this genre, for example, Alfred Stieglitz and William Frazer. Jessie Tarbox Beals, the first female photographer in the genre, has made significant strides. In 1932, Brassaï’s book “Paris at Night” was published. And the British photographer Bill Brandt conducted similar shootings in London during the Second World War.

In the 1970s, the genre became more popular and versatile. Some photographers adhered to the tradition of black and white photography, for example, Steve Harper and Richard Misrach. Other masters began to experiment with color and its transformation after dark. These are the works of Jan Staller and Joel Meyerowitz. At the end of XX and beginning of XXI centuries. the direction began to develop rapidly thanks to the emergence of more advanced digital technology. It greatly facilitates the adjustment of devices when working at night.

What do you need for night photography?

Shooting night scenes requires more preparation than usual. You need a good DSLR camera to take pictures of the starry sky, but any one will do for a lit city. A significant advantage for the photographer is that the light stays the same for a long time at night, giving time to experiment, while during the day it is constantly changing.

Here’s what you need for quality night photography:

• the use of long exposure;
• high-aperture lenses and small apertures;
• high sensitivity (ISO) of the device without noise;
• high-sensitivity photographic film when shooting on a film camera.

Slow shutter speeds involve using a tripod to prevent camera shake. Also, night photographers often use flash to highlight the subject in the foreground.

The most famous authors of night photography

Among the fans of this genre there are those who have completely devoted their work to it or have chosen it as an additional hobby in addition to advertising or landscape photography. Among the most famous authors of night photography are the following:

1. Michael Kenna. The first photographer to focus exclusively on night photography and to achieve significant commercial success. Shot black and white landscapes in the USA, Europe and Japan.
2. Paul Thompson An advertising photographer and owner of his own studio in London, he is widely known for the picturesque night landscapes from his personal project “Moonlight”.
3. Tom Blachford. This Australian is called the master of atmosphere creation. The architecture in his photographs is full of mysterious noir mood or reminiscent of science fiction films.
4. Darren Pearson. The American illustrator and photographer, in addition to classic night landscapes, creates unusual “light pictures” drawn by a flashlight beam using a long exposure.
5. Scott Ackerman. This versatile photographer from Colorado has worked with film and digital technology, with black and white and color photos. He finds filming locations within walking distance from home or while cycling.

Night photography is a tricky genre, but with the right patience and preparation, incredible results can be achieved. This direction is now more popular than ever before new amazing images of night cities, the Milky Way and lightning appear every day. Prestigious photo contests and publications on the Internet help keep track of the latest achievements.