How to Take a Picture with No Light

No matter if there is light or not, you can always take a picture. This might not always be true with the quick point and shoot digital that we live with now a days. But, there is the ability to do this with the old SLR cameras and the new digital SLR(like) cameras. Light or not, you can always take a picture. Taking a picture with no visibility, no visible light, and no point of reference is a skill but it produces a result that is well worth all the practice.

In order to start this, you're going to need a measuring tape, or a good idea of how far your subject is. A tripod is extremely necessary. You can't have the camera move when you are doing this. If the camera moves, you get a blurry picture.

Step 1:

When a camera takes a picture the shutter allowing light into the camera. This light then etches whatever image onto the film. The camera picks up all available light, whether it be UV or otherwise. In order to take a picture in no light, you must use all of the available type of light in the area, including non-visible light.

Step 2:

You need to find a place you want to take a picture that has no light. This place needs to be a place that you are familiar with, or that you have a least been before. In our modern day world there are very few places that have no light, unless you live in the desert or in the mountains. A few good places you can start are a dark room or even a closet if it's big enough.

Step 3:

Put the camera on the tripod. A time release cable or just a timer is needed for this. You do not want to touch the camera at all, or the entire picture will come out blurred and distorted. If this is the affect you're going for, then that's great. A time release cable can be used for the older SLR's but the new digitals come equipped with a timer.

Step 4:

If the subject of your picture is close, measure the distance from you to your subject. If it is of a landscape, that's different. Set the focus of your camera's lens to that specific distance, or set the camera to infinity for a landscape or a subject that goes on forever. It is easier to measure the distance between your subject and your camera in the light before you attempt to do this in the dark, though it's not required.It is better to prepare your camera in the light or ahead of time rather than at the site in very little light

Step 5:

Set the timer according to your camera's instructions. Every camera is different, but there should be a setting that will allow you to set the time your camera lens stays open. You will want to keep the shutter open for 1 full minute.Once these two items are set, you are ready to take the picture. If you are unsure how to set your camera, look into the instruction manual or find an instruction manual on line. Every digital camera manufacture has posted the instruction manual on line, it has become a standard thing to do.

Step 6:

Push the button to allow everything to go. If you are using an older SLR, you should depress the cable release and keep the lens open. The camera has now used every ounce of available light to create a picture where there is no visible light. One minute will give you a clear flawless picture.

This is the most basic way of taking a picture with no light, but there are many opportunities to be creative. By adding a moving item while the shutter is open, or adding a colored light at some point will add a number of affects creating an interesting picture.Take multiple shots, keeping the lens open for different lengths of time. Depending on how you want the picture to look will depend on how long you open the shutter. To create a ghost image in the picture, have someone start in the frame and, within the first 10 seconds, have them quickly move out of the frame.