Instagram challenge: Bring back the neon

It’s finally Saturday and we have a new Instagram challenge for you. If you missed us last week, we are now hosting our challenges every Saturday morning so get your cameras ready!

This week, we want you to bring back the neon. Capture fluorescent colors, be bold and let your light really shine. 

Taking neon photos isn’t always easy, so here are a few tips to help you master the technique:

Bring that tripod

Bringing your tripod or any other stabilizer is integral when you’re taking neon photos in order to avoid any shaking or blurriness.

Time of day

Although it’s tempting to take these photos at the darkest hour, neon photos also come out brilliantly at dusk. The dark blue skies complement the neon lights spectacularly while leaving the surrounding architecture visible as well. Many photographers suggest 15 minutes before sunrise or 15 minutes after sunset.

RAW Imaging

If your camera supports raw imaging, be sure to take photos under this setting. Shooting in RAW collects more data, which gives you significantly more flexibility when editing in post. This can also help bring out the colors you want if they don’t look right on your camera’s LCD screen.

ISO: 100 to 200

To avoid having your photos come out grainy, be sure to keep the ISO as low as you can. The suggested range is 100 to 200 for the cleanest effect.

Shutter speed: 1/100 of a second or slower

If you have your tripod or stabilizer, you have the advantage of taking photos with longer shutter speeds in order to keep your photos from blurring.

Composition

Whether you are capturing the reflection of the neon lights in a puddle on the ground, or a fluorescent brick-layered shop, be sure to experiment with your composition. Neon lights are incredibly versatile – so get creative! Play with light streaks or even experiment with bokeh.

IMAGE: @TYLERTRONSON

To enter the challenge and potentially be featured on Mashable and our Instagram (we just surpassed 300,000 followers!), share your photos using #Mashpics_NeonLights by Wednesday, May 18 at 3 p.m. EST. Don’t forget to follow us to stay informed on more challenges.