Quick question about night photography

[Cuchulain]

Hi folks, over the next few days there's a local "festival of lights" (http://www.lumiere-festival.com/derry-londonderry/) and I want to get a few photos, problem is a tripod is completely out of the question due to the crowds.

If I'm thinking correctly though I should be ok using a fast(ish) prime and 400/800 ISO hand held? I did try the stock lens but even with VR on it's awful in low light.

 

[Columbo]

Well it all depends on subject you are trying to capture but a wide aperture prime would allow a lower ISO and faster shutter speeds.

Don't be scared to use higher ISO's than you've suggested either and remember that getting the shot you want with ISO noise included is better than not getting it at all.

 

[puckdrop]

Don't forget you can also use "Street Furniture" ( lamp posts, cabinets, telephone boxes, walls, signposts ) as make-do tripod replacements. Just try and keep the camera still, and if you have IS on the lens that may help a little. use the 2s shutter time delay too.

 

[Cuchulain]

Well that didn't go too well, got a couple of decent shots but the rest need shed loads of processing, seems I either exposed off of dark areas and blew out all the highlights or exposed off the lights themselves and everything else was black but it was pretty random, presumably due to using matrix metering.

 

[Phal]

Yeah the metering is definitely something to be aware of as you'll likely have very bright and very dark areas. I often take multiple exposures to merge into HDR later just for that reason Obviously you'll need a tripod for that or at least you'll need to make sure the shots are aligned in layers later!