Taking Pictures of People – Night Scene

Use [SCENE] (Night & Portrait) for slow synchronization photography

When taking pictures of night scenes that include people, using the flash in the Program Auto(P) mode will illuminate the person but the night scene will appear completely black. To avoid this, illuminate the person with the flash, and use a slow shutter speed for the night scene. This method of photography is known as slow synchronization shooting. You can take beautiful pictures using slow synchronization shooting just by setting [SCENE] to [NIGHT+PORTRAIT]. If your camera does not have the [NIGHT+PORTRAIT] setting, try taking pictures by setting the flash mode to slow synchronization.

Compare the effects of Slow Synchronization photography and the regular Program Auto mode

	Picture taken using the flash in Program Auto mode		Picture taken with [SCENE] (Night + Portrait): The shutter speed is a bit too slow resulting in camera blur		Picture taken with [SCENE] (Night + Portrait). A cross filter was used

Useful things to remember

• To shoot night scenery, the shutter must remain open after the flash has gone off. Be sure to tell the subject in advance not to move until the shutter closes.
• With slow synchronization photography, images are more likely to show blurring since the shutter speed is slower. Stabilize the camera by using a tripod or other similar equipment.
• If there is a long distance between the camera and the subject, the light of the flash may not reach the subject. Have the subject stand closer to the camera.
• It may be harder to focus if the subject is in a completely dark location. If it is hard to focus, have the subject stand in a brighter location.
• To further enhance night scenes, try using a cross filter or a similar filter. Although it may not be possible to attach filters to some cameras, filters can be just as effective if you hold them in front of the lens with your hand.