Available Light Photography

Available light photography refers to shooting in whatever light available and avoiding using artificial source of light like flash. Most photographers hate artificial looking pictures taken by a flash.

The biggest advantage of available light photography is that the pictures taken look quite natural and almost look as seen by a human eye. They also show a sense of depth by capturing natural shadows and subject lighting from varied light sources present. In many situations light would be simultaneously coming from different sources (e.g. open window, candle on the table, lamp shed in the corner)

Though available light includes sun-light, it is most interesting and challenging to successfully shoot in 'Low Light'. 

Many a times, photographers have no choice but to use available light for following reaons -

• Do not want to disturb the subject
• Want to take a candid picture without making the subject aware of the camera
• Point of view cannot be altered (like when you are a spectator in a concert)
• Brightness, location and source of lighting is not adjustable.
• 'Low light' refers to situation where your subject is not lit by direct sunlight or glare of powerful lights.

Low light situations -

• Indoors (lit by daylight from window or artificial light)
• At a party, pub, bar or discotheques.
• Inside museums, historical buildings.
• At indoor sports events.
• At dusk or dawn.
• Church, temples or other religious places.
• At night outdoors lit by street lights or any other low power light.
• Campfires.
• Circus.
• Concerts, drama.
• Moonlit landscapes.

Equipment 

Low or available light photography may require all or any of the following equipment -

A Fast Camera or Lens

A sturdy tripod or monopod or any other stable surface support to avoid camera shake

Fast Camera/ Lens

It is best to use a 'fast' camera or lens.

A 'fast' lens can shoot in low light as it can capture more light through its large aperture.

You may notice following type of figure on the outer ring of a camera lens.

F 3.5/ F 5.6

This signifies largest aperture (hole) the lens can be adjusted to.

Smaller this number, wider the aperture and faster the lens.

However, camera with wide apertures or more expensive.

e.g. Camera/ Lens with an aperture of F 1.2 will be very expensive but would be able to take shots in most low light situations without using a flash.

Camera Settings

• Set camera built in flash to off position.
• Use widest possible ISO setting. However be careful not to use too high an ISO setting as this will degrade the picture quality. For an SLR or for any good camera, ISO setting below 800 should provide sufficiently grain free picture.
• Use widest possible aperture (using manual setting) so that you get highest possible shutter speed.
• Use very steady hands (hold your breath) or tripod/ monopod to avoid camera shake.
• For a static subject like inside of a building or a musueum piece you may shoot at any moment
• But for moving subjects, wait for subject to become steady and wait for that candid shot.
• Change your orientation so that you can capture best of the light available 

Light Sources

You need to make best use of following light sources, whatever are available -

Indoor Light Sources

Light bulbs

Florescent Lamps

Candles

Light coming from window

Outdoor Light Sources

Street light

Overcast sky

Fires

Flash lights

Lanterns

Moonlight/ Starlight