1 Become starstruck

Use high ISO sensitivities for stunning night shots

This year, try to do more with your digital camera’s high ISO capabilities. Being able to change ISO (light sensitivity, or what used to be called film speed) is one of the biggest advantages of digital cameras, but it’s surprising how many photographers don’t like going beyond ISO 1,600. While noise is more of a risk at higher ISOs, modern cameras are much better at suppressing it, and Lightroom or Photoshop can make short work of removing it.

Beth Moon has made some stunning nocturnal images of ancient trees in her ‘Diamond Nights’ series by really pushing ISO, also using flash where necessary. “I’ve always used film until this series, and it is only because of the digital advances of late that shots like this are now possible,” she explains. “Most photographs in ‘Diamond Nights’ were created during moonless nights, shot with a wide-angle lens and ISOs of 3,200 to 6,400. Exposures up to 30 seconds allowed enough light to enter the lens without noticeable star movement.”

Beth says each location required a lot of experimentation and different lighting techniques “Sometimes a short burst of diffused light from a flashlight (shining through linen fabric) was sufficient. For wider landscape shots, bounced light from multiple flashlights was used for a softer, more natural glow.” www.bethmoon.com

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* Light pollution can be a problem when you are trying to include bright constellations. Most of Beth’s remote locations for ‘Diamond Nights’ in the southern hemisphere of Africa, but Wales and Scotland offer ‘dark’ regions. * A sturdy tripod and a cable release is essential for long exposures. The BeFree carbon-fibre travel tripod range from Manfrotto won’t max out your baggage allowance.