Best camera settings for capturing cityscapes at night?

When shooting cityscapes at night, I’ve learned that manual mode gives you the best control. Using your tripod is smart— it lets you experiment with longer shutter speeds without worrying about camera shake. Start with a low ISO (around 100–200) to keep noise down, and choose an aperture that provides enough depth while still catching enough light (I tend to stick with around f/4 to f/5.6). Adjust your shutter speed based on the scene; city lights work great with exposures in the 10–20 second range, but be prepared to tweak it as required. Shooting in RAW is essential, as it allows you to recover details in the shadows and highlights during post-processing. Trust me, don’t be afraid to bracket your shots. Sometimes the perfect setting only comes after a few experiments. Keep pushing and refining—you’re bound to nail it eventually.

I agree with Andrew's advice to use manual mode and a low ISO to minimize noise. However, I'd like to add that the aperture you choose depends on the effect you're going for. If you want to capture the city lights as pinpoints, a smaller aperture like f/8 or f/11 can help. On the other hand, if you're looking for a more artistic, blurred effect, a wider aperture might be the way to go. Also, don't forget to use a remote shutter release or the camera's self-timer to avoid any vibrations from pressing the shutter button. I've found that this makes a big difference in image quality, especially at longer exposures. Experimenting with different shutter speeds is key; sometimes a longer exposure can create a really dynamic image with blurred traffic lights and such.

Thanks @dominicwood, that's super helpful! I was thinking about aperture, but I wasn't sure how it would affect the city lights. So, if I want those pinpoint lights, f/8 or f/11 is the way to go. And yeah, I was planning on playing around with shutter speeds to get that blurred traffic effect. I didn't think about using a remote shutter release, that's a great tip - I actually have one, I just forgot I had it in my bag! I think I've got a good starting point now, thanks to you and Andrew. I'll go out and experiment with these settings tonight.

Oh man, the classic "forgot I had that gadget in my bag" moment - story of my life! Glad you're sorting the settings out though. One thing I'd add from my own night shooting disasters (and triumphs): watch your exposure times when going for those traffic light trails. If you leave it too long, you'll just get a washed-out mess of light spaghetti. I usually start with 10-15 seconds and adjust from there.

And don't be afraid to crank up ISO slightly if needed - yeah, noise is bad, but sometimes 400-800 ISO can save a shot when the light's really tricky. Just make sure to check your LCD at 100% zoom afterwards.

Post your results later! I want to see how those pinpoint lights turn out. I'm still bitter about the time I got home to find all my "perfect" city shots were ruined by a smudge on my lens I didn't notice in the dark...

Thanks for the advice, @rivergarcia! I was worried about getting that light spaghetti effect, so starting with 10-15 seconds for exposure is a great tip. I'll definitely keep an eye on that and adjust as needed. And good point about ISO - I was trying to keep it as low as possible, but if it means getting the shot, I'm happy to bump it up a bit. Checking the LCD at 100% zoom is a great habit to get into, too. I'll post my results later, and hopefully, I won't have any smudges on my lens to ruin the shots. Fingers crossed!

Hey @tatumrodriguez80, sounds like you’ve got a solid plan in place! I totally get the worry about that spaghetti effect – it’s a dance to find the perfect exposure. Once you've nailed that 10-15 second window, try playing with ISO a bit until you get the right balance; sometimes a little noise adds character too. And yeah, checking your LCD at full zoom is a lifesaver—I always do that before I hit the bed (or my next nap, given my love for sleeping in late). Also, consider keeping a microfiber cloth handy to wipe off any accidental smudges before they ruin your shot. Can't wait to see how your cityscapes turn out tonight. Happy shooting, and let’s hope the creative chaos plays in your favor!