How to photograph neon signs: 5 tips for beginners
Learning to take photos at night is easy if you know how to set up the perfect shot for the ultimate Instagram post
Some of the world’s most photogenic cities - New York, Las Vegas, Hong Kong, London - owe much of their night-time visual appeal to neon lights. Photographers are attracted from all across the globe like flies to a, well, light, to capture the vibrant signs that hang from these cities’ famous buildings.
But taking photos of neon lights isn’t that straightforward. You need to know how to work in low light, and have the patience for post-processing, not to mention a great deal of creativity.
If you’re looking to preserve your own slice of a city’s neon cityscape, grab your best gear and follow these five simple tips and tricks.
1. Bring along some props
Making a picture of a sign look interesting can take a little more than just an intriguing angle. Sometimes, you need to a prop to spice up your shot.
Try holding the reflective side of a CD up to your lens. You might have to play around with the angle of the disc, but once you get it in the right position, you’ll get a burst of colour which will fill up the blank space in your image.
For a more sophisticated look, you could buy a glass prism off eBay or Amazon. Prisms refract light so they can create rainbows and flares that can give your photo a really cool effect.
If all else fails, use the reflective surfaces around you; anything from shop windows to puddles on the floor can turn an ordinary photo into something spectacular.
2. Underexpose your shot
The brightness of neon signs in contrast to the darkness can make it tempting to turn up the exposure on your camera. Don’t fall for this trap! Instead, underexpose your photo slightly and bring up the details later in editing. This will allow you to maintain a low ISO, capture more detail, and minimise grain, while preserving the colour and highlights of the image.
If you’re using a phone that doesn’t let you adjust the ISO, tap on a part of the image that seems to be in the middle of the darkest and brightest parts of your image. This will make your phone adjust to mid-brightness and give you the same freedom to play around with light that a DSLR would.
3. Pick a neon sign before heading out
Scout your favourite neon signs before you go on a photography trip. It can be difficult to find the sign that you want in the dark because cities tend to be saturated with lights of every kind. In Asian cities especially, business districts are packed with great signs - but don’t be afraid to venture off the beaten road. Lesser known areas, like fishing villages and small restaurants, can have some unique and interesting signs, too.
4. Post-processing is key
Neon signs come in all sorts of funky colours and designs. After you’re happy with your shot, don’t stop there. Import your photo into Lightroom, Photoshop or any other photo-editing software, and play around with colour curves, highlights and lowlights until you reach the colour scheme that you’re looking for.
If your camera gives you the option to shoot in RAW format, that’ll give you even more freedom to adjust colours and brightness. If you followed Tip #2 above, you’ll be able to brighten the shadows or enhance the highlights to bring all the detail and colour back.
5. Find some inspiration
Creativity doesn’t exist in a vacuum and neither should your photography.
This article was curated by Young Post. Better Life is the ultimate resource for enhancing your personal and professional life.
