By Raghav | | June 19, 2026

How I Perfected Night Photography in Chennai’s June Monsoons

On a humid night in June 2023, I found myself at the edge of the Marina Beach, rain-soaked and battling relentless winds. My trusty Nikon D850 was in hand, and I felt the thrill of capturing the stormy sky reflect off the turbulent waters. That evening was a turning point in my journey as a night photographer, and it taught me lessons about both the beauty of Chennai’s monsoon season and the intricacies of shooting in low light.

The Magic of Monsoon Nights

Night photography during the monsoon can be a double-edged sword. While the rain adds a magical, reflective quality to your images, it also presents unique challenges. My first real experience with this was back in June 2018, when I was commissioned to shoot a wedding in T Nagar. The venue, a decorated hall, was beautiful, but the outdoor setup was at the mercy of the unpredictable weather. As the rain started pouring, I had to quickly adapt my shooting techniques to capture the couple amidst the changing backdrop.

With my camera set to a wide aperture of f/2.8 and a shutter speed of 1/60 seconds, I was able to get some decent shots, but I quickly realized the need for a better strategy. The soft lighting from the decor was drowned out by the rain, and I had to rely on my flash, which sometimes created harsh shadows. This was my first lesson in the importance of understanding both ambient light and artificial light when shooting at night.

Understanding Your Gear

To truly excel at night photography, it’s essential to have the right gear and settings. My go-to equipment includes:

• Nikon D850
• 24-70mm f/2.8 lens
• Tripod (Manfrotto Befree Advanced)
• Remote shutter release
• LED flashlight for additional lighting

For the wedding in T Nagar, I relied heavily on my 24-70mm lens, which allowed me to adapt quickly between wide-angle shots of the venue and tighter portraits of the couple. When I reviewed the images later, I noticed that some were underexposed due to the low light. The experience reiterated the importance of checking your settings frequently, especially when the lighting conditions are changing rapidly.

Chennai Locations for Night Photography

Chennai offers a plethora of stunning locations for night photography, especially during the monsoons. Here are some of my top picks:

1. Marina Beach

Marina Beach is a classic location, but there’s a specific spot I recommend: the stretch near the lighthouse. The combination of the lighthouse’s glow and the reflections on the wet sand can create stunning compositions. I suggest visiting during the blue hour, just after sunset, when the sky is a deep blue and the city lights begin to twinkle.

2. Elliot’s Beach

Another favorite of mine is Elliot’s Beach in Besant Nagar. The beach is quieter, and the reflection of the street lights on the water creates a serene atmosphere. I shot a series of long-exposure images here in June 2022, using a shutter speed of 10 seconds and an aperture of f/8 to capture the smooth flow of water and the vibrant colors of the sky. Just be mindful of the tides; it’s best to check the tide schedule to avoid getting your gear wet!

3. Theosophical Society

The Theosophical Society in Adyar is a hidden gem, especially at night. The giant trees and historical buildings create an ethereal ambiance when illuminated by soft lights. I captured some stunning shots here in July 2021, utilizing a 30-second exposure to convey the stillness of the night. Remember to get prior permission for night shoots, as it’s a private area.

Mistakes I Made

One of the biggest mistakes I made early in my journey was underestimating the impact of weather on my settings. During a shoot in June 2019, I ventured to shoot at the Kapaleeshwarar Temple during a light drizzle, thinking the rain would enhance my photos. I opted for a faster shutter speed, thinking it would help freeze the action of the rain, but instead, I ended up with a series of grainy images due to high ISO settings.

The lesson learned was: always be prepared to adjust your settings according to the weather conditions. For night photography, a lower ISO coupled with a longer exposure is often necessary to ensure clarity and reduce noise. Since then, I’ve become diligent about checking my histogram and adjusting my settings accordingly before pressing the shutter.

Post-Processing Night Shots

Editing is where the magic truly happens, especially for night shots. I predominantly use Adobe Lightroom for post-processing. For instance, after capturing an image of a vibrant street in Chennai during the monsoon, I noticed the colors were flat. By increasing the contrast and adjusting the vibrance, I breathed life into the image. I typically start with the following settings:

• Exposure: Adjust as needed
• Contrast: +15
• Highlights: -20
• Shadows: +30
• Whites: +10
• Blacks: -10
• Clarity: +5
• Vibrance: +20

In one particular shot, I had a before and after that showcased the transformation. The original image was dull and lifeless, but with a few adjustments, the final image burst with color and depth, transforming a rainy night into a captivating scene. My mantra is to always shoot in RAW to provide more latitude in post-processing.

Tips for Night Photography in Monsoons

Here are some practical tips that I’ve gathered through years of experience:

1. Use a Tripod

A sturdy tripod is essential for long exposures. I’ve learned the hard way that even the slightest movement can ruin a shot, especially in low light. My Manfrotto Befree Advanced has served me well and is compact enough to carry around while shooting in the humid weather.

2. Utilize Weather Sealing

Invest in weather-sealed lenses and cameras. The Nikon D850 is robust, but even so, I often carry a rain cover to shield my gear from unexpected downpours. I learned this lesson during a wedding shoot on June 15, 2020, when a sudden downpour caught me off-guard, and I quickly covered my camera with a plastic bag, salvaging my gear and the shoot.

3. Experiment with Light Sources

Street lights, vehicle headlights, and even the glow from mobile phones can create unique lighting effects. During a night shoot in 2021 at a local festival in Mylapore, I took advantage of the colorful lights strung across the streets, which added vibrancy to my images. Don’t shy away from experimenting with different light sources to find what works best for your composition.

Final Thoughts

Perfecting night photography during Chennai’s monsoon season is a rewarding challenge. Each shoot brings new lessons and opportunities for creativity. Embrace the rain, be adaptable, and let the beauty of the night inspire you. The memories you create through your lens can transform fleeting moments into lasting treasures.

I’m Raghav, a professional photographer based in Chennai with over 8 years of experience specializing in wedding, portrait, and travel photography. My passion lies in capturing the beauty of Tamil Nadu, especially during the enchanting monsoon season.