Photo Techniques Landscapes : Nightscapes

3 Try shooting subjects that can only be taken in nightscapes

Put light trails in your shotsMake the most of the subject’s silhouette
No light trailsWith short light trailsWith light trails captured skillfully : Recommend

Put light trails in your shots

Taking nightscape shots handheld with the settings set to a high ISO speed, a wide aperture, and a fast shutter speed can be fun too, but one of the true joys of nightscapes is putting the camera on a tripod and using a long exposure time to capture trails of light. Timing is everything for these shots, in which the light moving while the shutter is open draws trails across the image. Even if the trails don't come out quite as you expected, you can take a number of shots and then pick from among them later.

Here I captured trails of light from planes taking off from the airport in the sky over the Tokyo Gate Bridge.

No light trailsWith short light trailsWith light trails captured skillfully : RecommendDisplay side by side
: Recommend
With faint light trailsWith light trails captured skillfully

Here I captured the trails of light from a passing train

With faint light trailsWith light trails captured skillfullyDisplay side by side
: Recommend
What are long time exposures?

By setting the shutter speed to be slow, you can capture the trails of a moving subject.
How to set the shutter speed varies depending on the model. For details, please check the instruction manual for the model you are using.


A promenade ( shooting with a pedestrian in the scene )Capturing your own silhouette illuminated by a streetlightAn underground passage lit with a blue security light (capturing just the place)An underground passage lit with a blue security light (capturing a person passing through)

Make the most of the subject’s silhouette

The silhouettes of people who are moving during exposure are expressed as blur in nightscapes.
If the exposure time is too long, it won't be noticeable, so try adjusting the ISO speed, aperture, and the length of time the shutter is open to get just the right amount of blur. Also, your own silhouette illuminated by a streetlight can make for an interesting subject.

A promenade ( shooting with a pedestrian in the scene )Capturing your own silhouette illuminated by a streetlightAn underground passage lit with a blue security light (capturing just the place)An underground passage lit with a blue security light (capturing a person passing through)
What is the Night landscape  multi-shot function?

This is a function found on the CX4/CX5/CX6. It automatically combines multiple images taken at a high sensitivity and records the result, which reduces the camera shake and noise that occur when shooting nightscapes. It helps you achieve clear, beautiful nightscape pictures. You can enjoy shooting nightscapes handheld, without using a tripod.

Put light trails in your shotsMake the most of the subject's silhouette

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