Great start! It is not a difficult as you think. You're making a photograph of light! You already have an appreciation of a tripod. If time-lapse is involved a tripod is a must. Night time stills can be made hand-held with practice. Pretend you are in an art museum where lighting is dim. Question your light meter and under expose more than you did by using a slightly faster shutter speed. Shutter speed is a key for hand held sharp focus. Photography at night can open many opportunities, rain soaked pavement gives very unusual reflections. Have fun and be creative.