_2026 October Theme: The Dark Side
Eric Loehwing | Published on 10/1/2026
The Dark Side, is really about Halloween, of course.
Since Halloween is the last night of the month, you probably won’t be able to photograph the trick-or-treaters in action (unless you post your entry at the very last minute). But there are still lots of opportunities to shoot the dark side during the month.
There will no doubt be many yard displays to choose from. Or you might find some creepy locations like the Kings Park Psychiatric Center, or one of the older cemeteries like the one in Smithtown or at the corner of Landing Avenue and Oakside Road. Or you can create your own spooky photos, as explained in a couple of our videos below.
Tips for photographing Halloween at night:
Use a tripod, slow shutter speeds, and wide apertures for spooky long exposures or motion blur, while balancing ambient light with external sources like flashlights or LED lights for details. Turn off the flash for glowing jack-o-lanterns, and experiment with creative techniques like silhouettes, colored gels, or light painting for eerie, atmospheric shots.
Useful Videos for Shooting at Night:
Night Photography for Beginners
Great Photos in Bad Light
These two videos illustrate how to create your own creepy vibe:
8 Halloween Photoshoot Tips for Scary Photos
9 SPOOKY & CREATIVE PHOTO IDEAS FOR HALLOWEEN