Customer Reviews

Night Photography: Finding your way in the dark

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am a dedicated night photographer and photography workshop instructor who has written extensively on the topic of night photography. I own or have read most books published on night shooting, and at long last there is a book I can recommend wholeheartedly -- Night Photography: Finding your way in the dark by Lance Keimig.

This book covers the technical aspects of night photography with great clarity and understanding, and includes many beautiful example images. Lance also touches on the more elusive why of night photography and mentions two key points: night photography is an experience that can lead to a heightened sense of awareness, and is a pursuit that often contends with a great deal of mystery.

Chapter one contains a very informative and well written history of night photography that includes some superb images. Even those of you who know your photo history quite well will likely learn something new and find photographers you'd like to further investigate.

The second chapter proceeds to a discussion of gear, including a list of key digital camera features for night photography. There is an excellent discussion on using manual focus lenses for easier focusing and perspective control. The night photography equipment checklist is a great resource for packing your gear. The tripod section is short, and I recommend Thom Hogan's guide to tripods as a supplement. The chapter concludes with a well-written essay on the important topic of location access issues by my friend and legendary night photographer Troy Paiva.

Chapter three is an overview of the basics of night photography technique, including the most in-depth discussion anywhere on how to focus at night. Focusing is one of the most frequently asked questions at my night photography workshops, and the information in this chapter is superb. Other important topics include controlling dynamic range, lighting types, color temperature, and how to minimize flare.

The next chapter covers film-based night photography, and will be of particular interest to those who shoot black and white. Lance's many years of experience with film are apparent in his excellent advice on film choice, reciprocity failure, and contrast control techniques. The chapter concludes with an essay by Tom Paiva on the merits of shooting color film in a large format camera at night.

The zone system technique of exposing for the shadows and developing for the highlights has strong parallels with digital night photography, which is the topic of chapter five. The explanation of histograms and optimizing night exposures to achieve the maximum tonal range is particularly lucid. This discussion also includes important information on white balance and camera settings for minimizing noise. The chapter finishes with an essay by Christian Waeber on shooting night scenes with people at high ISO settings.

Chapter six covers post-processing, and is primarily focused on Adobe Lightroom. If you use a Photoshop/Bridge workflow instead, most of the Lightroom information can be easily adapted to working in Adobe Camera Raw. The Lightroom workflow contains a nice balance of information that's geared towards adjusting night images.

Chapter seven includes three High Dynamic Range (HDR) imaging techniques: manual Photoshop layer blending by Christian Waeber, a overview of Photomatix with HDR expert Dan Burkholder, and a brief look at the Enfuse plugin for Lightroom. Enfuse allows you to create natural looking HDR images right inside Lightroom.

The following chapter covers moonlight and star trails, and is an extremely valuable resource for photographers interested in creating long exposures away from the lights of the city. The discussion of exposure determination through high ISO testing is particularly useful. There is also excellent advice on capturing star trails and strategies to keep noise at bay by stacking multiple star trail images. The final chapter covers light painting and includes some wonderful example images, along with information on light sources, color temperature, and gels.

The night photography book that I always wished I could recommend to workshop students is finally a reality. Night photography: Finding your way in the dark is highly recommended. Congratulations to Lance Keimig, Scott Martin, and the other expert contributors for a job well done.

Note: This review originally appeared on my night photography blog, where additional links to the photographers are included:
[...]

Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the publisher. I also purchased an additional copy for students to refer to at my night photography workshops. I hope you enjoy the book!

As an overall read on night photography, it gets 5 stars. As a reference or "how-to" it gets 3 stars. So I rated it at 4 stars.

After reading the first few pages, I found myself thinking "Man, it's night photography, not some mystical, soul-seeking walk-about into the mysteries of the dark side of humankind."

Most books have a single paragraph dedication. The author manages to stretch it to 20 pages with a forward, acknowledgments, biographies, and introduction. Save all the self promotion and congratulations for the back of the book. Between that and some of the other reviews here, one really has the impression that there's a small hard-core community out there that spends way too much time out in the dark :)

When I see a book on photography - any type of photography - I expect to see EVERY photo include a table of settings and a description, enabling the reader to replicate the effect. Too many are just eye candy - no explanation whatsoever. Many have just partial information, for example, just a camera make and f-stop - almost as if they were trying to hide how it was done.

26 pages on the history of night photography, while interesting, could have been compacted down to 5 pages, and the rest used for more practical examples. The author also clearly prefers film to digital, even going as far as stating that digital is better to preview the shot, and film to capture it. That's a personal opinion, not a fact. It all depends on the digital camera resolution / sensor size, and film camera model and film format / size. Then, strangely enough, he dedicates most of the book to digital photography.

The chapter on equipment was well done, and had some great suggestions. Again, a little too much time was spent on trivialities. The history of Canon vs Nikon autofocus, for example.

The basics chapter was one of the best in the book. But I still have to nit-pick. Lots of example photographs. Almost none had shooting details. Where most people would simply state that the photographer should be aware of moon position and fullness, to check the weather, and watch for events, such as meteor showers or eclipses, the author has to go all mystical on us. It's "understanding and awareness of the lunar cycle" and "heightened awareness." I suppose that's just his style, but it becomes overpowering after awhile. Occasionally the author seems to forget he already made a point, so repeats it later. For example, one paragraph begins with an explanation of flashlight use, including details on it being a focusing aid. The same paragraph ends with an explanation that flashlights also aid in focusing. The editor should have fixed these annoyances.

I quickly skimmed the 28 pages on film photography. I stopped using film 10 years ago.

There were 25 pages for digital photography, with a plethora of information. The real meat came in the next chapter, "Workflow" - it was much more than just workflow. Plenty of examples - but it's all Lightroom. If you don't own Lightroom, it cam be a "here's how it's done in software you don't own" example - figure it out for your software. Personally, I think the chapter should have given the same examples in Lightroom AND PhotoShop AND Adobe Bridge.

The chapter on HDR was decent enough, but entirely based once again in Lightroom. TONS of photos. Not a single one had details.

The Moonlight and Star trails chapter was also a great read, but again, all Lightroom. By this time I was getting the feeling that the author really did not like (or know how to use) PhotoShop.

Painting With Light was interesting, but again there were a lot of photos, all without details.

My overall impression is that the book was put together as much as a showcase for cool photos as a reference. If you're looking for a "how-to" step-by-step guide, you'll be disappointed. You'll see plenty of examples but few details.

If you're a digital photographer and don't own Lightroom, you'll still walk away with some new ideas, but will leave wondering why they did not provide the examples for Bridge or PhotoShop. I don't think the author decided on an audience before planning the book. He'll start an area by covering some obvious basics, then assume you can figure out the more advanced stuff for yourself. Others are the opposite. After reading the book (for the 2nd time) I still came away with the feeling it was unfinished with no specific audience.

So who can benefit from reading the book? Anyone interested in an overall picture (pun intended) of night shooting. You'll walk away with plenty of new ideas, some inspiration, and techniques. Just don't expect any hand-holding - unless you use LightRoom.

As an aside, the book is beautifully produced - it's coffee-table book quality with brilliant colors and heavy, high-quality paper.

I have been a night photographer for five years and have been a fan of the Nocturne website and Lance's website [...]. I was a bit apprehensive when I ordered his book "Night Photography: Finding Your Way in the Dark, as I have pretty much every book regarding night photography in my photo library and all of them have omissions in information or are either focused on a photographer's exposure times or exclusively digital. First, I was pleasantly surprised at the dimensions of the book, it is 9" x 7.5" with embossed lettering and a beautiful night image of a scene in Scotland. The size makes it very easy to read or put in your gear bag. Lance begins with the history of night photography and photographers which is appreciable as we all stand on the shoulders of those giants, and some of the more contemporary photographers I was compelled to look up their work.

Lance then discusses in depth the night photographer's gear and the inherent challenges of nightwork (possible trespassing, police, dogs, etc.), in my case in the desert it is scorpions and rattlesnakes.
The discussion then continues to different types of focusing including tips on blind focusing, dynamic range, light sources, flare, temperature, etc.
There is a sizable chapter on film photography which I appreciate as I shoot film. He gives several suggestions on developers and recipes, as well as highlighting Tom Paiva's thoughts on large format color film night photography. Much of the book then progresses to digital capture, RAW workflow, HDR (excellent chapter on shooting the scene and about tone mapping, and Lightroom workflow), moonlight exposure, star trails, light painting, stacking, and interspersed throughout the book are exquisite night photos from a variety of night photographers as well as Lance's distinctive images. I particularly liked Scott Martin's explanation of his shoot of the Pearl Brewery Tanks with the subsequent photos regarding the different light painting setups.

I agree with the reviewer that it would have been a wonderful addition to have a removable night exposure guide that one could keep in a backpack.
However, I do not agree with a reviewer's contention that this book needed to discuss pre-visualization of a night photograph. I think so many night photographers are trying to emulate Michael Kenna but only Kenna can do Kenna. Many night photographers, myself included, scout out possible interesting venues during the daylight hours, dusk, or during a full moon. I bracket a lot and do a lot of darkroom work, and I think it is beyond the scope of any night photography book to theorize night pre-visualization as the effects of night photography are exclusive to the photographer. I think visualization occurs with lots of experimentation with one's camera and workflow, whether it is film or digital. I love the enigmatic nature of night photography and how different photographers express their vision or produce a photograph that makes one wonder how it happened. Case in point, Steve Harper's incredible photograph, "Self, Sutro Bath Ruins" , page 25. Wow.

I think Lance Keimig has produced an excellent reference and resource about night photography, a book I have read cover to cover twice, and just perhaps I will try night time digital again because of his clear explanations and inspiring photos. I don't have a problem with any book discussing Photoshop or Lightroom as those two programs are pretty much de rigueur for any serious photographer, and the programs are always being updated and improved upon.
I also like the fact he gives digital exposure times for Canon and other native ISO 100 cameras and Nikon and other native ISO 200 cameras so one can refer to the chart if they do not own one of those two brands. As a Canon owner I think it's a thoughtful touch. Some books focus on Nikon and leave Canon owners to their own devices and vice versa.

If I could add a couple of things it might be the detachable exposure guide and perhaps a little more on hybrid routines (scanning film for digital workflow especially black and white as I'm never happy with the tones I get from my negatives in scanning) but in conclusion I think this is a well-written and very informative book. If one is a daytime photographer, this comprehensive book will encourage one to explore the nocturnal world and its beautiful mystery, as well as dedicating a gear bag for night time excursions. It's a wonderful thing to be in the dark with only the stars for company, it makes one slow down and think about what is truly meaningful.
As Lance succinctly states "Night transforms our experience of the world from one of routine certainty to one of mysterious unknowing. This is the essence of what makes night photography special". That sums it up perfectly.

This book has both the technical detail required to make good night photos and reveals the deep love that the author has for the process. So many technical books offer good instruction but lack heart and soul, not Night Photography. The author's passion for the subject is evident on every page. The writing is top notch and most of the technical aspects of the subject are well detailed.

There are two basic approaches to night photography, considering the low light to be a technical problem to work around or finding the light an opportunity to do something different and special. Lance Keimig's book is strongly in the second camp. The subtitle is "Finding your way in the dark." It could just as easily be "Embrace the night." For addressing the first approach, look to Michael Freeman's book, "The Complete Guide to Night & Lowlight Digital Photography."

Specialty subjects like light painting, star trails and night HDR photography are covered. What you won't find is a thorough discussion of the use of flash. Many night photographers consider the addition of flash to be somehow impure, though the use of continuous lighting in light painting to be fine. Keimig never preaches against flash. He simply gives is very little coverage. That's fine. It's still a great book, though the use of flash can be a nice addition to night photos. However, that subject could easily be a book in itself.

There is some discussion of film based night photography, though the main thrust of the writing is directed towards digital capture. The focus of the book is on image capture and the special problems that photographing at night brings. There is basically no little on post processing of images. That's not a complaint, just an observation. All in all a nice addition to my library.

I've enjoyed reading this book and have learned a great deal from it. As an avid amateur photographer I am always happy to learn a new genre in the art.

Pros: He does not waste our time, like 99% of all other photography books out there, by spending half or more of the book reviewing which camera to buy, or what ISO is, or how to use the camera, etc. He assumes that if you're buying this book you already know something about photography. I wish other authors were brave enough to do that. There are several good introductory books out there, but not ALL books need to do that. Secondly, he gives many good resources and websites to look at. He shows work from other photographers. He sets out many of the principles of night photography.

Cons: One reviewer claimed that he read the book but thought it was too technical and that he still didn't know what to set his ISO at. That reviewer needs to actually read the book. In several places the author talks about native ISO and that we should use it. Read page 209. However, the reviewers point is well taken. The author could organize the book better, and include some basic charts for various nighttime set ups. This is the only reason I gave it four stars.

I recommend this book and think that an avid photographer will learn a great deal!

Photographs were meant to be taken in daylight or with flash. After all, the derivation of the word photography comes from a term translated "writing with light." And everyone knows that nighttime, by definition, is the absence of sunlight. Therefore, common wisdom would suggest that we should put away our cameras at nighttime. But if we did, both we and common wisdom would be wrong.

This is the premise of Lance Keimig's book, "Night Photography." Written with Scott Martin, the book explores the challenges and rewards of grabbing your camera and taking shots after sunset.

This isn't yet one more copycat photography book sitting on a discount shelf at some chain bookstore covering the same old same old. On the contrary, the book covers material that hasn't been dealt with in any depth in most photography books previously. Printed on quality, heavy paper and complete with pages and pages of night shot illustrations, many printed in color, it's easy to tell that much TLC went into the book's development and production. The only downside is that the writing style is dry and could have been more engaging. But, given the unique topic and material, the writing style can be forgiven,

For me the gauge of a book is how it gets into my psyche. By that measure, Night Photography, is a winner. From the first page, it made me want to grab my DSLR and tripod and head outside after the sun sets. I have been inspired by this book to explore a new and exciting aspect of photography.

The Night Photography community has waited a long time for a book like this. With exemplary research, concise language, and practical examples, Lance Keimig has painted a fascinating picture of the why - as well as the what, where, and how - of Night Photography. As a keen observer of the explosive development of the genre over the last three decades, it's a pleasure to find an author dealing seriously with all the elements that make for great nocturnal imagery - not just issues involving gear, software, lighting, and technique; but including what it means to actually photograph at night, to "capture" (currently, a popular photographic term) its essence, and to understand what motivates people to engage in such activity. The book is anchored by the author's detailed understanding of current NPy praxis, recent film antecedents, and Night Photography's roots - at the advent of photography, over 150 years ago. This text should definitely find its place on your bookshelf, nestled in between monographs by your favorite Night Photographers.

Full Disclosure: As an early (pre-release) reviewer of the History segment of the book, I received a review copy of this book from the publisher.

Tim Baskerville, Director
The Nocturnes
[...]

I received Night Photography last week and have had the opportunity to go through it in some detail. It is a marvelous reference manual, written is clear, crisp prose that is not overly technical and if followed, will produce excellent results. It is a source I will use in my own workshops when I introduce students to several hours of nighttime photography along with other opportunities. The book is a rich font of information with many additional sources listed and an excellent check list for equipment and exposure. While the author points out that full discussion of workflow is beyond the scope of the book, perhaps the first section the everyday digital photographer should read is the section on digital workflow. This applies to the processing of any digital image, taken at night or in daylight. With the rapid build up of a photographer's collections of digital images, this section is a must read for any photographer. I wish the book had been packaged with a compact field guide that could be stuck in a shirt pocket and referred to in the field, but Keimig has thoughtfully suggested some helpful apps for Apple's iPhone that will be very useful.

Many of us have experimented with taking a few photos at night. I know I have, and I have admired the work of some night photography masters as well. From the theatrical images by O. Winston Link of trains at night to the more contemporary George Tice, all have been masters of their medium and I loved seeing their work in books over the years.

The question I needed to answer was how is this done and what does it take to make great night photographs. This book has been for me, the answer and inspiration.

My first impression when I first received this book was the quality of the production, not just the pages and binding, but the work that went into the research - both historical (there's just a little of that) and the technical, of which much of the book addresses. I wanted to know what it takes to set up a camera, how do I make exposures, what do I do under certain types of lighting conditions and how can I then get those images to look great. These to me, were the secrets I wanted to know. I also wanted to know what to do with my images on the computer, which software to use, how will my current software and hardware suit me needs. All this is covered to the nth degree of detail.

I also wanted to know what accessories are required, where do I get them and even... How do I prepare for a night shoot. You'd be surprised how much thought and detail is required to have everything you need and be comfortable to last for several hours in the cold. So detailed is the information in this book, I was delighted to see it all explained with lists and descriptions of everything.

Finally, I wanted to know the real secrets of how to make those incredible, luminous, glowing night photographs that seem to be more beautiful than daylight versions. THAT'S what I really wanted to know and once again, Lance Keimig delivers that and much more. The technical details of digital photography are all laid bare for anyone to understand. Always wondered what a Histogram is and how to use it? Lance makes it clear in plain english and show why it's useful.

There is one precaution I would offer, this book will compel you to spend dreary-eyed nights outside wandering around on open fields, scouting out old cars and busses, wandering off on a full moon and convincing your friends and family you are not really a vampire and of course you might find yourself drawn to other weirdo's like yourself who seem to think that most things worth photographing are in the dark. So be it, throw caution to the wind, empty your retirement savings account for that 24mm Shift-Tilt lens you knew you had to have. And remember, there's no going back, it's just too much fun and well.... the photos are amazing!

One small detail; You will want to be using Adobe Lightroom since most of the computer examples are shown using that software. I am not an Aperture user, but the theory and ideas are of course valid with any product. Yet, as a Lightroom user, I have learned so much about my software environment that I feel much more in control now than ever before.

So don't even hesitate, set the alarm clock for 2:00 am and get out there, just read Lance's book first.

Whether you are interested in this topic or not, this book is a must to have in your library if you are a photographer trying to find your way.
The book is well-spread between technical camera instructions, and technical computer instructions. The book made me feel like I want to use a film camera, though I never did before.

The book discusses the steps gradually starting from the history of night photography. Chapters then come in about the tools needed, lenses, then a chapter specified for film cameras and development (be careful there if you are a native digital user; so much to digest), then the rest of the book is mainly in the digital realm. I can say it covers the basics with a bit of advanced touch, and the book ends with light painting and tips on how to do it, advices about angles and many other aspects.

Through out the book, there are several "project" explanations written by guest writers/authors about their experiences in various projects and how did they do some photos. They have great value to see how such artists studied their projects and achieved what they were after.