Getting the exposure right when shooting at night is one of the most challenging aspects of film photography. You only have a limited number of frames per roll. You can’t preview your shots. So, the chances of getting unusable photos are pretty high. So, if you’re new to film photography or you’re feeling intimidated about shooting film at night, today’s film photography tips should help you get started.
In the video above, Kyle McDougall shares his metering techniques and approach for film photography at night. As he noted in the description, it can be intimidating at first, but it becomes easier with proper technique and understanding of your gear. His workflow involves using a handheld spot meter in tandem with The Zone System. But, he also includes some quick tips on using your film camera’s internal meter. Finally, he also covers reciprocity failure when shooting film, and the benefits of scanning night images at home.
How about metering for film photography in general, you ask? You can also check out Jason Kummerfeldt’s metering tips and workflow for additional reading.
What other techniques and approaches have you found useful for shooting film at night? Share them with us in the comments below, or in our group discussion if you’re already part of the Photofocus Community!
