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How to Take Pictures at Night in a Bar

Photographing an indoor event under normal lighting can be challenging. But when you turn off all the lights, add hundreds of people to a small room and crank the music, it can be nearly impossible to shoot effectively. These are the normal conditions for a bar or nightclub, and good event photographers should be able to produce acceptable results in spite of the low light, tight space and noise. A few tweaks in your equipment and technique will improve the quality of your nighttime photography.

Things You'll Need

Digital single-lens-reflex (DSLR) camera
Wide-angle lens
External flash unit (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  Attach your fastest lens when photographing a bar's interior. A lens with a maximum aperture of f/2 or wider, such as f/1.7 or f/1.4, allows more light to reach your camera's sensor and will enable you to use faster shutter speeds. The fastest lenses usually have a 50mm focal length.
- 2
  Increase your camera's ISO setting, or sensor sensitivity, when shooting without flash. Most DSLRs have an ISO range of up to 6400 or higher, allowing you to get the shot no matter how dark the bar is. A higher ISO results in faster shutter speeds, reducing the possibility of camera shake.
- 3
  Keep a wide-angle lens, such as an 18 or 24mm, in your equipment bag while shooting. Wide angles expand the field of view significantly, allowing you to fit more visual detail into the resulting shots. This is helpful when shooting cramped or crowded indoor spaces.
- 4
  Alternate among lenses to add variety to your shots. If you're using a fast 50mm for available-light shots, switch to a wide-angle lens and your external flash unit to achieve a different look.
- 5
  Shoot in aperture priority or manual mode. Aperture priority, labeled as Av on most camera mode dials, lets you select the size of your lens opening while the camera chooses the appropriate shutter speed for proper exposure. Manual mode lets you choose both of these variables. Experiment with wide apertures from f/2 to f/5.6 when shooting with available light. When you are using a flash, try f/8 or f/11 for sharper image quality.
- 6
  Obtain permission before photographing live performers or patrons of the bar. Some bars and nightclubs may have policies against flash photography or the amount of camera equipment you can bring inside. If you are photographing for a publication or website, let the bouncer or manager know upon arrival.

Photography