How to take nice night shot?

[hajime]

Hello, I was trying to take some night-shot from my room. When I turned on the flash, the resulting photos had a bright spot on them. Is there a way to use the flash to brighten the surrounding environment but do not have the bright spot show up on photos?

Speaking of flash, is it a good idea to get external light such as:

1. iblazr2 LED wireless flash
http://concepter.co/iblazr2/

2. Nova Off-camera Wireless flash for iPhone
https://www.novaphotos.com/

Which one do you recommend? Thanks.

 

[AlliFlowers]

I got an inexpensive LED flash. You can plug it directly into the audio plug on your phone, or hold it in your free hand. I noticed they now carry the at Bed, Bath, and Beyond, so you should be able to find one easily.

 

[hajime]

I got an inexpensive LED flash. You can plug it directly into the audio plug on your phone, or hold it in your free hand. I noticed they now carry the at Bed, Bath, and Beyond, so you should be able to find one easily.

Do the photo/video quality slightly or greatly improved with these external LED flash?

 

[AlliFlowers]

Do the photo/video quality slightly or greatly improved with these external LED flash?

As long as you are careful about aiming the light, they greatly improve your night shots.

 

[simonsi]

If you are taking night scene shots from a room window then turn the flash off and use a support or tripod, flash is only for illuminating objects that are within a few metres of the camera.

 

[MacNut]

The question is what are you trying to take pictures of? As said above a flash is only going to light the immediate area. And depending on how close you are you will not get even light.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

In the old days, a good lens (that could be opened up - or shut down to a low aperture - to allow light in), a fast film (these days a high ISO), a slow shutter speed, and - perhaps - a tripod would all serve you well. Better than a flash, which works well for interior shots, or when shooting people fairly close up in exterior settings.

 

[tgara]

Hello, I was trying to take some night-shot from my room. When I turned on the flash, the resulting photos had a bright spot on them. Is there a way to use the flash to brighten the surrounding environment but do not have the bright spot show up on photos?

What were you shooting? If you are shooting a cityscape at night, the best thing to do is turn the flash off entirely, mount the camera on a tripod, and take a 1-2 second exposure.

 

[Rob587]

What were you shooting? If you are shooting a cityscape at night, the best thing to do is turn the flash off entirely, mount the camera on a tripod, and take a 1-2 second exposure.

I think he's talking about taking pics with his iPhone. Does it have the ability to adjust exposure?

 

[nburwell]

We still need to know what the subject is for the OP. Are they taking night portraits? Or are they shooting cityscapes?

Obviously the flash on the iPhone isn't the best, especially in dark situations. An additional (external) flash would certainly help if shooting portraits, particularly at night.