larryepage Loc: North Texas area

There is an active discussion going on here around camera straps and tripods/monopods. As a result of a post made in that thread, I was asked whether I might start a new discussion of night photography tips. I've not seen such a discussion recently, so I'm happy to do that. Of course, just like any other discussion, there are many aspects of night photography that could be included. Since we have an astrophotography section already, and since there have been a couple of relatively recent and very good discussions around lunar photography, I'm suggesting that we might focus here on nighttime safety and general considerations that can make things go easier in the dark rather than on more specific techniques for cityscapes or light painting or Milky Way photography or the like. With that in mind, here goes. And please note...some of these initial thoughts are my ideas, especially the ones that come from my time as a safety manager at work. Others are attributable to at least three excellent workshop instructors that it has been my privilege to study with.

Feel free to add suggestions based on your own experiences.


Nighttime Safety Considerations

Plan carefully. Do a detailed check of expected weather.
Arrive before dark to orient yourself and scout your location.
Identify impediments to secure footing or other fall risks.
Be aware of your location. What factors could potentially impact your safety?
Try not to shoot alone.
Let others know where you will be and when you expect to return.
Prepare for unreliable or nonexistent cellular service.
Dress appropriately.
Wear proper footwear (no open shoes).
Bring water and food or snacks.
Be prepared for wildlife or unfriendly domestic animals.

General Tips

Make sure you have permission to be where you are going.
Practice doing everything in the dark before you go. Camera controls, tripod mounts, accessories.
Bring primary and backup lighting. "Headlamps" are most useful.
Use red lighting, at least until you are ready to pack up and leave.
Have and carry at least one backup flashlight/headlamp. Two are better.
Use a tripod. Keep one leg directly under your camera lens.
Use a remote release, timer, or intervalometer.
Know that everything is going to be more difficult in the dark. Bring your patience.

Bob Mevis Loc: Plymouth, Indiana

Thanks for sharing.

Soul Dr. Loc: Beautiful Shenandoah Valley

When I do photography at night, I'm almost always by myself. I have a CCP, so I always have a something with me.

Will

johngault007 Loc: Florida Panhandle

juan_uy Loc: Uruguay

I would like to know how your CCP would help if you are in a remote location with no cell service and have an accident that prevents you from being able to walk

Soul Dr. Loc: Beautiful Shenandoah Valley

I could fire my weapon and maybe some would hear it.

Will

juan_uy Loc: Uruguay

Larry, thanks a lot for sharing with the rest of us your tips

You mentioned you had other tips for working in the dark and I was curious if there was something new I could learn from.

I think you cover all of them!
I would add:
- Be very careful with caps and small accesories. Tall grass makes finding stuff very very difficult
- A laser pointer can be useful to point to stars when talking with someone (either to ask or explain) and can help to be sure where you are pointing your camera at (place on top of the lens) when you don't see anything in the viewfinder or live view
- It adds weight, but I like carrying a small folding stool
- I usually carry a big strong piece of nylon that I can use as a dry surface to avoid wet/humid ground (dwe)

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

These are good additions. I agree that a good "ground cloth" can be very valuable. Before my trip to Big Bend National Park in the summer of 2018, I found a couple of folding chairs at Academy. They were about $20 each, are quite comfortable, and are very sturdy (important for me, since I am definitely somewhat above what would be my "ideal weight"). I knew that I wasn't going to have to be walking very long distances, so one of them is quite manageable.

Your comment about finding dropped items in the grass brings to mind one additional item that can be really important. I should have included it. It is to never reach down to reflexively pick something from the ground. In fact, it is always a good idea to look very carefully with a really good light before putting your hands on or near the ground. There can be any of a number of different critters there that can be less than beneficial to get close to. Of course, everyone generally thinks of snakes, and that's valid, but in desert environments, scorpions are actually a much more likely concern.

It's too late for me to edit my list now, but maybe when we've collected everyone's thoughts, I can edit a comprehensive 'final version' for us.

johngault007 Loc: Florida Panhandle

An old trick that I picked up in the Navy when we had to walk on the weather decks at night and we had already set Darken Ship:

Use a red filter or lens on your flashlights to preserve your night vision. Once your eyes acclimate to the darker setting, a low-power red will help you and others around you.

There is some debate on using low-power green for better acuity, but red seems to still be the preferred color.

flyboy61 Loc: The Great American Desert

Good ideas! But; like in Boxing...Protect yourselves at all times, and FEET save the Body!!

Here, we had a young couple who were photographing Moonrise over a local reservoir. A carful of goblins arrived, and shot the pair. One died, the other survived.

Be aware of your surroundings. One night, I was walking along a deserted corridor to get into a shopping mall. There was a recess for bathroom doors, and a sketchy-looking fellow was lurking in the recess where he couldn't be readily seen. Harmless? Maybe. I habitually walk on the opposite side of the corridor from observed potential threat areas, and give corners a wiiiide clearance. I gave the man a good looking over, and went on my way. I carry a flashlight in case I have to enter a dark parking garage (is there any other kind?)
No solution is 100%, but mild paranoia isn't necessarily a bad thing.

In some states, concealed weapons are seen as worse than many other levels of "crime", and Heaven forbid you should have to shoot someone! A non-lethal means of defense may be a good alternative.

Cell phone coverage is important. REALIZE that the bad guys know and use the fact that the first caller to report an incident is automatically seen by the police as the victim. Be quick to escape and report an incident!

Going with a friend or group is good, because Photo equipment is universally known as a good cash source. Carry as little as you can get away with. Dogs are marvelous friends, and a deterrent, but be aware that they will wrap their leash around tripod legs, causing expen$ive noises against the ground.(Don't ask!)

Light is good! one or more.

Unobtrusive is best...Don't advertise your presence; no bright or flashing lights, loud conversation or laughter. The people out in the darkness know you are there...but you will not see them!
Don't trespass!
If ever in a situation where you must, give up your equipment and LEAVE the area as quickly as you can, taking everyone with you that will (there are always the poor souls who say "But, he (they) told us not to!") then call 911! You do have make, model and serial number recorded at home, don't you...as well as insurance on your gear?

Live Long and Photograph...and be SAFE!

ahudina Loc: Browns Point, WA

Completely agree with having a CCP and something to carry, especially in urban/city environments. I’m sorry that I view this as necessary, I wish I didn’t.

Soul Dr. Loc: Beautiful Shenandoah Valley

It's always better to have something and not need it, than to need something and not have it.
I belong to a concealed carry organization and have ins. and access to lawyers if needed.

will

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

As a commercial photographer, I usually wouldn't found shooting at night in the wilderness, the forest, or patrolling the jungle with my camera- A few years in the "garden spot" of Southeast Asia put me off that kinda activity but I do get my share of commercial work that requires night photography in urban areas. I work for folks who install illuminated signage, street lighting, and decorations, and the premises of some of my food-service clients look much less "ugly" at night. I always thought it would be paradoxical to have served 2 years in a war zone and later in peacetime, be killed by a hungry but careless driver in McDonald's parking lot while shooting an exterior in the DARK.

I also find myself shooting from high places- balconies, rooftops, cherry-pickers, exterior fire escapes, ladders, and scaffolding. So I am concerned with my own safety and want to avoid plunging to my untimely demise in the midst of trying to get a better shot but also the safety of others (below) that can be seriously injured or killed by a falling piece of gear let alone a 240 lb. photographer. Accidents can happen in broad daylight but somehow darkness harbors more hazards and one needs to watch their steps more diligently.

So here's my list:

When working, at night, in parking lots, roadsides, heavily vehicular traffic places, always wear very visible retro-reflective clothing.
If you are working near or from your vehicle, be sure to run your 4- way hazard lights.

Sometimes the best mood shots can be had in absolutely inclement weather- rain, snow- fog, etc. where there is poor visibility for drivers, so it's especially important to observe precautions and mark, with lights, the areas behind where you are working to warn drivers.

Most photographers worry about protecting their gear from extreme weather conditions and water damage but may forget about themselves- you may be out there longer than you thought so dress for success! Appropriate footwear for insulation and traction should be considered.

When working for high vantage points, especially when there are people, vehicles, and other damageable property below- TETHER or tie everything that is close to of hangs over the edge. Secure the tripod and attach the camera strap to the head or some accessible place on the legs. Change lenses, filters and lens shades with caution. I carry a supply of gaffer tape and bungee cords so I can lash things to rails, beams, girders, or other solid objects.

When working for any elevating device, scaffolding, ledges, etc. consider the use of safety belts and harnesses- the types used by construction workers as well as work boots with good traction. Familiarize yourself with the proper use of these devices and stepladder safety procedures.

Some of my scenes are shot in the middle of the night when there is likely to be little no vehicular or pedestrian traffic, so in certain urban districts, I advise the police as to where I will be working and what I will be doing. I might be working from a recessed doorway and I don't want to be a mistaken for a burglar. There are some strange folks out there at 3:00 AM.

flyboy61 Loc: The Great American Desert

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Good advice. I took a nighttime course a few years ago, and we all had to buy these. We wrapped them around the lens to prevent fogging.

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0028AD6V0/?coliid=I3VPP2MNRL9FHV&colid=397RKZB5HZQZX&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it