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Question: Was it possible to take photographs at night in 1924!? I've been told it wasn't but I'm sure they did!.But how!?
this is for a novel - my previous question was very well answered - this follows on from it!. My character takes photos of city streets -not posed!. There are street lights and (in the park) moonlight!. Would he need an enormous (and unrealistic) amount of equipement!?Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
It could have been done with no problem at all!. Many cameras of the time had a (B)ulb setting that would allow the shutter to stay open as long as the photographer needed it to be open!.

A tripod, shutter release bulb and a camera is all that would be needed!.

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Its all about exposure!. 1908 or 2008 all it takes is sufficient exposure!. No special equipment other than a tripod and a cable release would be neded!. Here is but one example:

City skyline in distance:

ISO 50

f4 @ 15 sec
f5!.6 @ 30 sec!.
f8 @ 1 min!.
f11 @ 2 min!.

Since its rather difficult to know what the film speed was back in those days the example is for illustration only!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Yes!. Even without flash, all you need is a long enough exposure!. For flash photography, lycopodium powder was used before flashbulbs, which were invented in 1930!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Yes, it was quite possible, but not of people moving unless you were planning a blur!. You might even include Brassai in your novel!.Www@QuestionHome@Com