Ever since the St. Pete Pier opened in July, people have flocked there to exercise, to walk their dogs and to go out for dinner and drinks. And they’re all taking pictures. Lots and lots of pictures. On Instagram alone, #stpetepier appears more than 13,000 times.
The Pier is always photogenic no matter what time of day it is, but there’s something even more special about it at night. To celebrate the glory of the Pier after dark, we’ve chosen our top five night photos of the PIer from the past two weeks, and we’re sharing a few tips on how to take your own evening masterpieces, especially if your only equipment is your smartphone.
Katelyn Grady, co-founder of The Body Electric Yoga and Athletic Companies, snapped this colorful shot Oct. 7. Body Electric hosts a free yoga class at the Pier the first Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. If you’re taking pictures in complete darkness, it’s unlikely your photo will turn out well. Having some light to illuminate your subject – like the Echelman sculpture does – will ensure a beautiful picture. You’ll find plenty of pics like this on the ‘gram.
Photos on a rainy night can be just as beautiful as those taken on a clear one, and even more mysterious. Try taking a pic of raindrops through a car window, or of the ground if it’s wet. You can get some really cool photos of the lights reflecting off the street signs.
One key to getting an amazing night picture is to keep your camera (or your phone) steady. Any motion can cause photos to blur so you might consider investing in a small tripod – or you can simply rest your phone on a solid surface.
Of course, there’s nothing cooler than drone photography. You can certainly spend a ton on a drone if you really want to, but there are plenty online for under $150.
