The Low Light Photography Trick Every Pro Knows

As photographers, we’re always trying to capture that ideal shot. But when the sun sets or we’re in a poorly lit area, it often feels like the universe says, “Not today.” I’ve experienced this many times. You might be at a concert or taking photos late at night, and the lighting won’t cooperate. You know that feeling — you either end up with a blurry image or one that’s so grainy it looks like it was taken with a low-quality camera. It’s really disappointing.

You’ve likely heard about the “exposure triangle” — shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. You’ve been told these three settings are essential for good photos. But what if I told you that a professional photographer thinks there’s more to it, especially in low-light situations? Simon d’Entremont, a nature and wildlife photographer, recently shared a video where he suggests that we might be approaching this issue the wrong way. He introduces the low light photography trick that many pros use to tackle this specific challenge.

The Low-Light Photography Trick: Is the Exposure Triangle a Lie?

Simon pointed out one thing. ISO doesn’t actually represent real light. It might be a bit confusing, but you’ve likely seen ISO as a method to make your photos brighter. However, Simon argues that it’s really about changing the brightness during editing. If you want to let more light into your camera, there are easier options:

• Brighten up the scene (though that’s often not doable)
• Use a slower shutter speed
• Open up the aperture wider

Think about the times you’ve been in dim lighting, like at a concert. Can you actually adjust the brightness of the scene? Probably not. Most likely, you’re already using the widest setting on your lens to capture as much light as possible. So, according to Simon, the main thing you have left to deal with low light is your shutter speed.

This is where things get tricky. You face a common challenge in photography: should you use a fast shutter speed to freeze motion, resulting in a clear but grainy picture? Or should you slow it down for a smooth, nice image that might end up blurry? It’s a constant battle between dealing with noise and motion blur, which can be frustrating enough to make you want to just pack up and leave.

Feathering the Shutter: Your New Low-Light Superpower

According to Simon, this is where the experts come in. He talks about a method he calls “feathering the shutter.” Instead of being a strict guideline, it’s more of a creative and fun approach. The goal is to play around with your shutter speed until you find that ideal point — a balance that gives you the clearest image without too much blur. It’s about understanding that perfection may not always happen, but you can still achieve a good result.

Simon explains this technique in three situations:

1. When you’re holding the camera steady and your subject isn’t moving.
2. When your camera is on a tripod, but your subject is in motion.
3. When both you and your subject are moving.

One of the toughest times you might face is when you’re holding your camera and your subject is moving, too. But there’s no need to stress; that’s exactly why this technique exists. It’s not necessary to get it perfect on your first attempt. What matters is discovering the right shutter speed that suits the situation at hand.

A Practical Demonstration: Finding the Sweet Spot

In his video, Simon shows us a hands-on example using an owl figurine in a low-light office. This is a good choice because it clearly illustrates the impact of each adjustment. He begins with a wide-open aperture and sets the ISO to automatic.

First, he adjusts the shutter speed to a very quick 1/400th of a second. The outcome is a sharp photo, but the ISO skyrockets to 102,000, resulting in a noisy image. While it’s clear, it’s not really practical.

Next, he tries the opposite approach by slowing the shutter speed to 3/10ths of a second. This significantly lowers the ISO to 1,000, but the picture turns out blurry and hard to recognize. As shown, both extremes don’t work well at all. This is where the idea of “feathering” comes into play. It involves a bit of experimenting. You begin at one end and slowly adjust towards the other, taking pictures as you go and looking for that ideal balance.

Next, Simon tries using a shutter speed of 1/60th of a second. This is a typical starting point for shooting while holding the camera. The images are clear, but the ISO is still quite high at 20,000. It’s an improvement, but there’s room for better results.

He then decides to slow down a bit more to 1/20th of a second. You can notice that the photos are getting better. He captures some sharp images, and the noise is less noticeable.

After that, he experiments with a shutter speed of 1/40th of a second and discovers what he calls his “sweet spot.” With this setup and lighting, he achieves about 80% sharpness and what he feels is “acceptable image quality.” The main lesson here is that it’s not about capturing the perfect shot; it’s about making the best shot possible within your limitations. You’re finding solutions, not performing magic.

The Bonus Tip: Your Secret Weapon

Simon shares a tip that I find really interesting. If you find yourself in a low-light situation with no ideal spot for a good shot, try using a shorter focal length lens or zooming out. But why should you do this?

Supposedly, using a shorter focal length can lessen the motion captured by your sensor. This means you can use a slower shutter speed and still get a clear image. For instance, Simon claims that by zooming out, he can take a sharp picture at 1/25th of a second, which would have turned out blurry with a longer focal length.

It seems that succeeding in low-light photography isn’t just about having the latest equipment; it’s more about knowing how to use what you have and being open to trying new things. It’s a relaxed and playful way to tackle what seems like a tough challenge.

Personally, I think the low light photography trick really helps us move away from trying to reach an impossible standard and instead focus on the actual difficulties we face in photography. The next time you find yourself in a dimly lit setting, don’t lose hope. Instead, have a bit of fun with it. Start by using a fast shutter speed for your first shot, then gradually slow it down. Keep experimenting until you discover the right mix of clarity and quality in your images. It’s important to remember that perfection isn’t the goal; effectiveness is.

I believe Simon’s “feathering the shutter” approach highlights that a photographer’s talent is more about being creative and solving problems than just knowing all the technical aspects. It’s about making the most of the light available rather than fighting against it. So, pick up your camera and head to a dark area. You’ve got the low light photography trick to try out.

[The LOW LIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY technique the PROS all use! I Simon d’Entremont; Image credits: Envato]

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