Phil1191

I am a relatively new serious photography. I was recently in a situation where I was trying to take photos using the adjustable camera settings in a very dark environment - I could not see the cameral adjustments. Is there a remedy for this issue or do people just carry a small flashlight?

Grahame Loc: Fiji

On the majority of cameras you are able to see the 'settings' which are illuminated in either the viewfinder or LCD. Have you got your menu set up to show these?

When working in darkness I always carry a small torch or use a headlight to assist 'finding things'.

tradio Loc: Oxford, Ohio

I use a headlamp that emits a red glow. That allows easy to see controls without dilating your eyes.

Ourspolair

What tradio said - you don't lose your night vision with a low-power red headlamp.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

My cameras have a three position power switch. On, off, and a spring loaded position past on that turns on illumination of the settings for a few seconds.

When it’s really dark I try to anticipate the settings I need and use auto exposure. I rarely use manual settings.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Phil many pro-level cameras have a rather extensive suite of external controls which with a little diligence can be mastered by touch only which allows you to shoot without taking your eye from the view finder. Word!

This is one of the first cherished pieces of wisdom commercial shooters will share with you... An example are wedding shooters where the pace is a never ending cascade of instantaneous events which unfold at breakneck speed... Bottom Line? If you have to look at your camera's control interface you are not ready to shoot commercially...

Second issue is why are you shooting in the dark? Are you using speed-lights for illumination? or are you limited to a tripod... If nothing else you AF will be hating life without adequate light...

Please share what genre you are seeking to master...
And why it requires shooting in such low levels of ambient...

Hope this helps... Please stay safe...
All the best on your journey Phil

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

I just look at the cameras display and I know where the buttons are to change things if I want. If I need a little help, I use my phone. It puts out enough dim light to see by.

If it is this dark your camera will not auto focus, you will be doing it manually and guessing. I can not see good enough at night, just like the camera. If it is this dark, are you taking sky shots. If this is the case just manually focus st infinity and very slightly back.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

It depends somewhat an the model of camera you have. Let us know.

On many of my cameras, there is a button labelled "Q". When pressed it shows most of the camera settings. Some models allow changing settings from there. Details vary with brand and model, so let us know.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras generally have LCD or OLED screens on the back and LED viewfinders that display all the camera settings you want, and generally have menus that configure what you view on the display, too.

Jeffcs Loc: Myrtle Beach South Carolina

Get to know your camera so you don’t need to take your eye off the VF
Set your camera up so you can see the exposure in the VF
Best advice I ever got was knowing your camera so you can do anything in total darkness, not that you’ll be in total darkness shooting

Phil1191

I was at Longwood gardens at night during the Christmas season - pitch black except for the light displays. Like I said - I am pretty green.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

It takes practice. There was a question earlier about what model you're using. The best advice is specific to your camera's capabilities. In general, practice developing the 'finger feel' for where the external controls are located with the camera held to your eye in a shooting position. In the view finder, you should be able to see all the adjustments / relevant exposure settings, so in a lighted situation, practice finding the controls and making adjustments and how / where they register in the view finder.