Night photography is photographs that have been taken outdoors when the sun has gone down. Photographers that shoot at night usually use artificial light and using a long exposure, exposing the scene for seconds, minutes, and even hours in order to give the film or digital sensor enough time to capture a usable image.

The following techniques and equipment are generally used in night photography.

• A tripod is usually necessary due to the long exposure times. Alternatively, the camera may be placed on a steady, flat object e.g. a table or chair, low wall, window sill, etc.
• A shutter release cable or self-timer is almost always used to prevent camera shake when the shutter is released.
• A camera lens with a wide aperture, preferably one with aspherical elements that can minimize coma