Dark shop photography

Does anyone have any tips for getting decent photos of these locations? I can get great pics at twilight but in full darkness I get a washed-out blob of light. That means one shop a day, maybe two if they're close together and everything goes quickly. Is there a software filter for Android that I can use to take the pic, or a good way to tone down the brightness before submitting? Thanks for any help.

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On an iphone, I tap the lights on the screen and the exposure changes to the exposure of the lights rather than the exposure of the dark areas. You can really see the lights well that way but the dark areas are REALLY dark. They get what they get.

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Well thanks. I'll have to play around with it some more. I did some last year for the other MSC where the pix were awful. The stations were clearly lit up but there was little definition. I submitted them anyway and they were accepted so they, too, must realize that when the conditions are that dismal, they get what they get.

The way I look at it, they’re trying to see the lighting here. They can’t see the lights if they’re overexposed. The can get a good look at what the lights are illuminating in the regular daytime audit.

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Seriously, nobody cares that you're offended.

If you have a Samsung, open the camera and tap the screen. That will bring up the flash.

"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton

I use an iPhone and tap the screen in different spots and take a few pictures so I have options. Like Hoju said, focusing the camera where the lighting is brightest tends to give a “clean” photo.

@HonnyBrown wrote:

If you have a Samsung, open the camera and tap the screen. That will bring up the flash.

The flash will only illuminate objects that are 7 to 10 feet away. I'm always amazed at people who try to use a flash for pictures at stadiums, auditoriums, etc when it will have no benefit.

I usually take overview photos using a flash and also without a flash. Without the flash may be blurry, but shows the well lit or poorly lit area. The flash gives a good crisp photo even though it's a distance away, but many times it comes out darker than it actually is. I can also lighten the photo using my computer software.

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I always take bracket photos during nighttime. If you want to reduce glare when taking a photo of something backlit, such as a convenience store or a readerboard sign, try turning on the flash.

Is this for the non-reveal dark audit shops? I was thinking of taking some of the shops but I can't seem to get decent night shots. How many photos do they need?

I discovered this trick a few days ago when capturing pictures from across the street. Using my Android phone I turn the flash off, tap an area on the screen that I am trying to capture, and wait 3-5 seconds for it to focus.

I shared a few Android photos from across the street with the scheduler before I submitted my first project. They were full of flare and light streaks. I thought they were awful. Scheduler said they were fine.

They need at least three- the MID, the store and the canopy. More for any violations. I can't imagine that anyone takes only three. As long as I'm there I take at least ten. I don't want to go back.

@yappy4 wrote:

Is this for the non-reveal dark audit shops? I was thinking of taking some of the shops but I can't seem to get decent night shots. How many photos do they need?

Thanks to everyone who has posted a response to my question. I did some of these last night and they worked out ok. I did discover that with my Android phone I can reduce the exposure "on the fly" and get rid of most of the glare. The flash does help on some shots.

Okay I might give it a try and hope that my photos will turn out acceptable.

I'm glad it worked out ok.

@panama18 wrote:

Thanks to everyone who has posted a response to my question. I did some of these last night and they worked out ok. I did discover that with my Android phone I can reduce the exposure "on the fly" and get rid of most of the glare. The flash does help on some shots.

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Dark shop photography

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