Field guide
How to photograph a dark path for planning
A short method for taking honest night photos of a path or driveway so shadows, edges and obstacles can be assessed.
Shoot from eye line, in both directions
Stand where a person actually enters the route, not where the garden looks best. Photograph the same path from both directions because glare and shadows change with viewpoint.
What a useful night photo shows
Include the edge, the next decision point and any step, cable, wall, pond or low obstacle. A close-up of a fitting does not help plan the route.
Scoring shadows and edge contrast
Use the photo checklist to score how easy it is to read the edge and spot obstacles. The score is a planning prompt, not a safety certificate.
Common photo mistakes that flatter the path
Phone night modes can brighten the whole scene and hide the problem. If the photo looks much brighter than the human eye view, take another one with exposure reduced.