Shooting in low light can be both a thrilling challenge and an opportunity to create stunning, atmospheric images that stand apart from the ordinary. Whether you’re capturing the warm glow of a city at night, the magic of a candlelit scene, or the mystery of shadows, low-light photography pushes the boundaries of creativity and technique. It’s not just about cranking up your ISO or relying on artificial light—it’s about embracing the mood, finding unique compositions, and using the available light to tell a story.
In this guide, we’ll explore the essential tips, tools, and techniques to help you capture captivating photos even when the lights are dim. Get ready to transform the way you approach photography in the dark! Following are some videos and guides I have found to help you get the best shots in low lighting.
In this video Jeven Dovey discusses how to shoot in low light and reduce noise. The video explains that noise in your footage comes from bumping up your ISO, which is how sensitive your sensor is to light. The higher the ISO, the more sensitive the sensor is to light, which means it takes less light to make an image. However, this also means that the image will be noisier. The video then goes on to explain how to avoid noise by using the correct settings on your camera. These settings include keeping your ISO at its base, not going above double that of your shutter speed, and using lenses that open up super wide. The video also explains that you can find areas that have some light to help you get a good exposure. Finally, the video explains that you can use color grading to bring up the exposure in post, but this will also bring up the noise level.
Key Points:
Here’s a summary of the document on shooting low-light photography:
The key to capturing clear night footage without excessive noise involves understanding and managing the exposure triangle: ISO, shutter speed, and aperture.
Key Recommendations:
- ISO Management
- Keep ISO at its base level (around 800 for many cameras)
- Avoid bumping up ISO, as this introduces noise
- Most cameras produce noisy images at higher ISOs
- Shutter Speed
- Maintain shutter speed at 1/60 for 30 fps or 1/48 for 24 fps
- Staying at this speed provides cinematic motion blur
- Slower speeds can create excessive motion blur
- Can adjust slightly depending on subject movement
- Aperture
- Use prime lenses with wide apertures (1.2 or wider)
- Wider apertures allow more light without increasing ISO
- Primes also encourage more intentional filmmaking by forcing you to physically move and think about shot composition
Practical Shooting Tips:
- Seek out areas with some existing light
- Cannot shoot in completely pitch-black environments
- Avoid trying to dramatically increase exposure in post-production, as this will amplify noise
The overall goal is to maximize light intake through lens and camera settings while keeping ISO as low as possible to maintain image quality.
For Action cameras consider this:
Action Camera Low-Light Shooting Modifications:
- ISO Management
- Action cameras typically have fixed, smaller sensors, so noise is more pronounced
- Look for the camera’s native/base ISO (for Osmo Action 5, likely around 200-400)
- Avoid pushing ISO beyond 800 if possible
- Consider using the camera’s built-in noise reduction settings carefully
- Shutter Speed
- Action cameras often have fewer manual controls
- If possible, use 1/60 or 1/120 sec shutter speeds for smoother motion
- Some action cameras have automatic shutter adjustment
- Use “Low Light” or night modes if available
- Lens/Aperture Considerations
- Unlike traditional cameras, action cameras have fixed apertures
- Rely more on:
- Positioning near light sources
- Using camera’s built-in low-light optimization
- Avoiding direct backlighting
- Using external light sources when possible
Additional Action Camera Specific Tips:
- Use the widest lens setting (typically the default)
- Enable any image stabilization features
- Check if your specific model has a dedicated night/low-light mode
- Consider using manual white balance in low light
- Use a tripod or stable mount to reduce motion blur
- Avoid digital zoom, which can degrade image quality
Limitations to Accept:
- Action cameras will never match full-size camera low-light performance
- Some noise is inevitable in very dark conditions
- Expect some quality loss compared to professional cameras
Experimental Techniques:
- Try using the camera’s RAW mode if available for better post-processing
- Experiment with different scene modes
- Use external LED lights or smartphone lights to supplement lighting
Osmo Action 5 Specific Low-Light Strategies:
- Camera Specifications
- Sensor: 1/1.7-inch sensor (larger than many previous action cameras)
- Native ISO range: Likely 100-3200
- Recommended max usable ISO: Probably around 1600-2000 before significant noise
- Camera Settings
- Night Mode: Use the dedicated low-light shooting mode
- Pro mode: Manually adjust:
- ISO: Keep under 1600 if possible
- Shutter speed: 1/60 to 1/120 sec
- White balance: Use preset night/tungsten settings or manual
- Consider using D-Log M color profile for better dynamic range in low light
- Shooting Techniques
- Avoid complete darkness
- Seek out:
- Street lights
- Ambient city glow
- Reflected light sources
- Use steady, deliberate movements
- Mount on a stabilizer or use built-in stabilization
- Position near light sources when possible
- Post-Processing
- Use DJI Mimo app’s noise reduction tools
- Avoid extreme exposure adjustments
- Use color grading carefully to minimize noise introduction
- Accessories to Consider
- External LED light attachments
- Waterproof housing with minimal light interference
- Neutral density filters for controlling exposure
Unique Osmo Action 5 Advantages:
- Excellent electronic image stabilization
- Dual screens for precise framing
- Robust low-light performance compared to previous action camera generations
Limitations to Understand:
- Still a small sensor camera
- Cannot match full-frame or mirrorless camera low-light performance
- Some noise will be inevitable in very dark conditions