Breathtaking skylines, spectacular fireworks, dazzling light displays – there are so many magical moments to capture after dark. Of course, taking good photos in low light and night-time conditions can be tricky. Luckily, many digital cameras have special night and/or low light modes which make the process easier.

Use the self timer — the camera will shake a little when you push down on the shutter release. Using the self timer and delaying the shutter will give you steadier pictures.

Here are also some helpful hints to further improve your night-time photography skills.

Get a tripod – Night-time photography is all about long exposures to capture distant light so the camera shutter can be open for many seconds.  Keep your camera steady to minimise shaking and blurry images by using a tripod. Alternatively, you can rest the camera on a steady surface.

A thing that you see in my pictures is that I was not afraid to fall in love with these people.

Alfred Stieglitz

Timing is everything — for professional night photographers, the best images are captured just an hour or two after dark. Good timing means you get the best balance of artificial and natural light – so your images will be richly detailed with vibrant colours.

Capture movement — some of the most brilliant night-time images capture the movement of light, such as vehicles travelling along a street. Look for these opportunities when composing your night-time shots.

Make your subjects stand out — people lit by ambient light make for great images. If you’re photographing people at night, have your subjects fill the frame by getting in close.

Whether you’re an aspiring photographer or just keen to capture those special moments on your holiday, mastering night-time photography will open up a whole new world of picture perfect opportunities for you and your camera – don’t get lost in the dark.