Night shots

[Pharkus]

Some of you guys take really awesome shots. Since I am new to this, thought I would get some general tips on what settings you use to take your shots when it is pretty dark or in car parks.

I'm trying to keep the ISO down to at least 400 but had to take shots at 800 last time due to no tripod and couldn't hold the camera steady enough for a long exposure time.

Also keeping aperture as big as possible as well. Though I may want to decrease the aperture size (increase aperture figure) to keep everything in the picture focused. I think I have this right???

Might try a fold up chair and bean bag shoulder rest this weekend if I can wake up at 3am to get to the spot I am thinking of for a few shots as a DIY temporary tripod =)

Thanks in advance. Best way I can figure things out at the moment is to take many shots and keep adjusting settings.

[Tim]

Dont even bother until you buy a tripod. Even a cheap arse $30 will do. You will just curse at it every time you need to adjust it.

[Pharkus]

Yeah I get what you mean. Only if I was up at the time with nothing to do. Was going to sit the DSLR on the chair with the lense resting on one of those U shaped bean bag neck thingoes. Hopefully I get a call soon about the tripod so I can do it properly instead!!!

Might need a spotter as the place is on a back street (which is why i plan to do this at 3am)

[Frenchie]

As Tim mentioned a tripod will be a necessary tool. When are you getting Mr Manfretto delivered ?
As long as your platform is a stable you should pull it off.
Till then shoot, shoot and shoot some more..

Better see your entry for ''April comp''

[Pharkus]

As Tim mentioned a tripod will be a necessary tool. When are you getting Mr Manfretto delivered ?
As long as your platform is a stable you should pull it off.
Till then shoot, shoot and shoot some more..

Better see your entry for ''April comp''

Manfrotto inc, don't wanna rush it tho as this was organised for me =)

The platform will be steady enough but will definitely be easier with a tripod. Will give it a shot this weekend.

[Frenchie]

Sweet - I have high expectations from you >D don't dissappoint !

[zz2]

also get a remote trigger. pressing the shutter even with a tripod can be enough to blur the image

http://brightscreenstore.com/store/images/canon%20remote%20switch.jpg

[Pharkus]

Any half decent tripod will do the job. Hell, a well positioned brick wall or bin can do the job. The remote is a must, and even the proper Nikon/Canon ones are cheap.

Don't have one but will use the timer delay to achieve the same purpose (i.e let me lift of and allow camera to steady before shot).

[en.elle]

Love night car photography.. sometimes better than day due to it being much quieter and I can take my sweet time with setting up and not having to worry about being in people's way etc.

Only have 3 main rules which have already been covered here..

Tripod
Timer
Lowest ISO setting

Good luck!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3025/2931036324_ba0869abc2.jpg

[Pharkus]

How long was the exposure John? Gonna be scary quality what you will now do with your newfound knowledge! Photoshop expert now blooming photographer as well!

[10d]

Camera: Nikon D90
Exposure: 15
Aperture: f/9.5
Focal Length: 18 mm
ISO Speed: 200
No Flash

Not to nit pick here, J, but you have to factor in the camera magnification factor of 1.5X (D90) so the actual focal length would be: 27mm

[nath_mk6]

I had another go last night. Got a better result this time with 200ISO. Crap composition, but I just wanted results.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2735/4458768832_8bf724a74d_b.jpg

How deep does you're knowledge into speedlights go Nick?

Shame a did that other shoot at 3200! Might need to redo it again, and in the same style for my own mental sanity.
I like the shot actually, wow the detail is great and my god is your car shiny

[stevie]

Wow your car looks BLING John..nice!

I think the next level into night photography is to invest in some off camera flashes!

[en.elle]

John your shots have been very impressive lately.. combined with your elite photoshop skills = awesomeness.

I get a bit scared when I open the shutter for too long.. those street lamps start being a distraction in shots.

As for speedlights, haven't had a chance to play with them much.. One of the reasons why I upgraded from my D40 to D90 was for remote flash control. Need to save up for some flashes.

Strobist blog has quite a bit of info on flash/lighting. Its fun to experiment!
http://www.strobist.blogspot.com/

[Pharkus]

Thanks for the compliment P. Let's see how we go. I'm going to find it pretty hard to beat that last shoot as far as concepts go. Quality should be better from here on in though.

I think as you get more experience, then you get a feel for what settings work best for the situation. I'm trying to take some "standard" settings so that in the future when I get to a location I can then just dial them in quickly and finetune from there.

In terms of getting better, you continually surprise with the various shots you take. Add to that your creativity with photoshop and we can be assured of many future wall paper eligible shots. Keep em coming.

[stevie]

Awesome! I'm wanting to get one too. What camera/lens are you using now?

[Frenchie]

Oh god - the birth of a photographer !! Your shot is clean John.

Now with Nick on board this forum is turning into a Nikon/Canon forum :)

[stevie]

Nice! I've heard good things about the Tokina 11-16 F2.8. Been eyeing it for my D90 as well

[defaultx]

I'm looking to pick up a 7D soon and get into this!

[stevie]

I don't mind trying it out just for a little bit on a photoshoot next time there's a meet or something. Thanks John :)

[Frenchie]

If John doesn't make this Sunday meet Stevie - I'll have mine so you can have a play with my D90

[Justin Fox]

Hot!

[derek]

Love night car photography.. sometimes better than day due to it being much quieter and I can take my sweet time with setting up and not having to worry about being in people's way etc.

Only have 3 main rules which have already been covered here..

Tripod
Timer
Lowest ISO setting

Good luck!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3025/2931036324_ba0869abc2.jpg

Should get that .:R on the forum :p

[Pharkus]

Sweet shot! I have 2 of the 3. Hopefully some less bad shots from me soon.

[en.elle]

Should get that .:R on the forum :p

haha I'll work on it ;)

[stevie]

Shot of my Dad's car.

Bumped up the ISO and aperture at f/2.8 was ok for a handheld

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2432/3735304268_9df28ff026.jpg

[Seph]

haha I'll work on it ;)

We should all work on that one.

Flapper him first.

Love the B7 shot steve.

[Frenchie]

In your face - Effective shot Stevie.

[benough]

Man, this forum has got my trigger finger all itchy again!

http://www.benough.com/forums/bandw1.jpg

http://www.benough.com/forums/night1.jpg

[derek]

nice pic stevie!

[en.elle]

The GF's R56 Mini Cooper S

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2701/4235421936_473294a71e.jpg

Shot in a tunnel. Lighting provided by spotlights in tunnel.

[benough]

Nick.

How heavily "shopped" is that pic?

I always struggle with having a spotlight like that not overexpose but still getting detial on the unlit side.

[stevie]

Random shot whilst I was out the other night

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4479030038_3edb6bcd25.jpg

[en.elle]

Thanks John!

benough - I actually don't use photoshop.. I'm a big noob when it comes to editing photos so I stick with something simple like Adobe Lightroom.. or even something like iPhoto. Usually its playing with contrast, saturation/desaturation :)

[Capercat]

This was a night shot by John.

http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/3193/790524120vbpbwl.jpg

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/2029/790524376qf4pdl.jpg

[benough]

Nice comp on the first shot B.

Thanks yo!



benough - I actually don't use photoshop.. I'm a big noob when it comes to editing photos so I stick with something simple like Adobe Lightroom.. or even something like iPhoto. Usually its playing with contrast, saturation/desaturation :)

Well I'm even more impressed. I'm all about trying to get it right in camera rather than just shopping it up later. Lazy.

I do similar. When I convert it from RAW I adjust my levels/exposure/filters etc.

I think the 3 of us need to speak photos/cameras at the next gtg :-)

[Cam]

Two I took tonight
:)

Taken with my D90 and 55-200mm lens.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4044/4550117545_9677b648d6_o.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4050/4550755620_f2534fe7eb_o.jpg

[Frenchie]

Very nice Cam - So close to moon ! where are the stars :)

[Cam]

Thanks Frenchie.
The stars were there, but quite faint the setting I shot on didn't pick them up well. There was a big cluster to the right of the moon last night.
:)

[chewy7]

Cool shot Cam! Right in the centre too..Wallpaper material!

[Cam]

Thanks Shane
:)

[burgs]

Cool photos mate :)

[Cam]

Thanks!
First time shooting the moon, I didn't know how they were going to turn out. Bit of a trial run. Should be able to get better when I eventually get a tripod
:)

They are here in full res if anyone was after them
http://home.exetel.com.au/cam/DSC_0255.jpg
http://home.exetel.com.au/cam/DSC_0279.jpg

[CoolJamJar]

After owning my D80 for a couple of years (usually just take it for a drive in the car and take it back home without taking it out.....), I finally got around to having a crack at a night shot on St Patricks Day (with Green Opera House).

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w203/CoolJamJar/Automotive%20Images/Bits%20n%20Pieces/GreenOperaHouse.jpg

[Cam]

Spectacular photo JamJar!!
What shutter speed were you using for that? Looks really good. I like the angle you've taken the photo from
:)

[en.elle]

Nice shot! Love the colours on the water! Are those lines/colours created by the ferry going past?

[CoolJamJar]

The shutter speed was 30 seconds!! Bit of a surprise being the first time I had tried this.... I tried 1 second and thought something must be wrong with the camera when it just showed a black frame.....NOOB :)

Yeah, the lines on the water are from the ferry going past.
It had only just pulled up a Luna Park when I fired the shutter and I thought, that won't leave before the shutter closes - WRONG! But it added a nice effect to the final shot.

Now just have to learn to stay up past my 9.30pm bedtime and take some more.....

[en.elle]

nice! I had a similar experience taking a photo of a car in a tunnel then while the shutter was open a car drove past and I thought I'd have to take the shot again but it turned out better than expected! Looking forward to more of your shots

[Cam]

Here are a couple I took this evening
:)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3568/4601313288_7a3efe579e_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4002/4601313208_92b2d6620a_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1023/4601313134_4f27a53e72_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3417/4601313094_d7918e95f4_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1045/4600696499_9924278979_b.jpg

Tomorrow night....I'm gonna try some star trails. That is of course if the stars are out, and its not too cold outside hehe.

[Ankush]

Great shots Cam, love the first one.

[Jig]

you guys are spoilt being able to see the open sky like that... Love the 2nd one Cam. Nice shot.

[Cam]

Thanks Ankush / Jig.

Its beautiful down here, every night for the past week or two has been exactly the same. Clear and starry!

There are high tides at the moment and you can even hear the ocean crashing down from the front verandah (ocean is few kms away)
I love it
>D

[burgs]

Some nice photos Cam, aperture and shutter speeds are alot of fun :)

[Ankush]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/45519520@N05/4295193068/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/45519520@N05/4292253055/

Some photos taken by me few months back.

[Cam]

Awesome shots!
I noticed Bennie made a comment on your Sydney Harbour shot, are you a member over at whirlpool?

[Ankush]

yup I am, got some great tips from experienced people there.

[burgs]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/45519520@N05/4295193068/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/45519520@N05/4292253055/

Some photos taken by me few months back.

Some fantastic shots on there mate, what are you shooting with?

[Cam]

yup I am, got some great tips from experienced people there.

Small world eh...so am I lol.
Username is camerooney

:)

[kaoticice]

Amzing pictures guys
Here's mine using a Pentax k-x + kit lens
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs341.ash1/29229_394551196142_545586142_4566907_4864714_n.jpg

Night shots are so challenging, I either get lack of lights or too many shadow when theres bright light.. I need a tripod asap.

[Cam]

Beautiful shot Ed.
:)

I know what you mean, its great when you finally get that one shot that looks great though!

[nath_mk6]

Put these up somewhere before, but anyway they are from my first and only night shoot attempt to date.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2725/4463511878_e8546d510a_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4026/4463524798_4039160012_b.jpg

[Cam]

Gorgeous shots Nath.
Love the starry lights.

What beach was that taken at?
:)

[nath_mk6]

Cronulla Cam, just down the road, at sunrise (well just before) those were at something like 4.30am.....

[Ankush]

Some fantastic shots on there mate, what are you shooting with?

Its a D5000 with standard 18-55mm lens.

Nathan some great photos there.

[Cam]

Cronulla Cam, just down the road, at sunrise (well just before) those were at something like 4.30am.....

Wow thats early!
Great location though, and the shots are worth it
:)

[Cam]

Couple I took on the weekend.

I really like the first one, kinda gives the pic a 'haunted' feeling with the trees and the stars.
>D

http://camerooney.smugmug.com/Other/Night-Shots/DSC0248/869709862_DGTyn-XL.jpg

http://camerooney.smugmug.com/Other/Night-Shots/DSC0251/869710313_YxDoU-XL.jpg

[burgs]

First pic looks great :)

[Cam]

Thanks Craig
:)

I tried to get one of the wharf leading out into the inlet but it didn't work very well. There wasn't enough room between the wharf and the footpath/bushes to centre down it. Shame because it would have been cool.
Plenty of nice places to get pics down here though hehe.

[burgs]

Will definately have to have a look down south sometime :)

[Cam]

There is a lot of potential at kangaroo valley and cambewarra lookouts
:)

Nice wineries and restaurants.

[stevie]

wow nice shots Cam!

[Cam]

Cheers stevie!

[en.elle]

A couple of shots taken at Vivid Sydney.

These were taken using a Ricoh GRD

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4071/4675051494_1786dd1ab4_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4678344213_70da41b5b2.jpg

[Cam]

Awesome shots Nick!
Love the lighting on the opera house
:)

[en.elle]

Thanks Cam!

Anyone else get a chance to check out Vivid Sydney?

[nath_mk6]

sadly no, would have been good, this is just a random one off flickr, guy at work took some beauties will have to see if I can find them

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4029/4681269301_d3771e7126_b.jpg

[derek]

naise pix en.elle

[Cam]

Few of the moon from tonight
:)

http://camerooney.smugmug.com/Other/Night-Shots/Half-Moon-001/905289776_f74ey-O.jpg

http://camerooney.smugmug.com/Other/Night-Shots/Half-Moon-002/905289781_PYiDA-XL.jpg

[kaoticice]

Nice shots of the Oprah house. En.elle ur first shot is so awesome :) love the perspective.

Cam dats an awesome moon shot. Weren't there stars around? :P

[Cam]

Thanks Ed.
There were stars around haha but they didn't show up as they were too faint. I shot in Shutter mode, at 1/500.
:p

[Cam]

Couple from tonight.
Now, I know some of them are blurry but I don't have a tripod haha. Think they came out ok in a weird way though
;)

Star Explosion (actually just the moon but it kinda looks like something heading towards the earth..)
http://camerooney.smugmug.com/Other/Night-Shots/Night-002/907172592_dFUZT-XL.jpg

Blurry Palm tree!
http://camerooney.smugmug.com/Other/Night-Shots/Night-003/907172721_GLyvq-XL.jpg

Eerie Lemon Tree
http://camerooney.smugmug.com/Other/Night-Shots/Night-001/907172411_25xKz-XL.jpg

Warp speed in the GT Sport!
http://camerooney.smugmug.com/Other/Night-Shots/Night-004/907172840_dz8tY-XL.jpg

[kaoticice]

oooooo... u might be starting a new trend here!! The blurring effect in the last picture is most awesome imo..

3rd pic is magazine quality, awesome mood setting.

PS: supernova on the first pic

[Cam]

Thanks Ed!
Cheers for the comments
:)

[Lima]

Less talk, more pics. :p

http://27772.smugmug.com/Cars/MY10-Audi-S3/MY10-Audi-S3-miscellaneous/IMG2178/640890289_ppR8C-L.jpg

http://27772.smugmug.com/Cars/MY07-Mk5-Golf-GTI/Mk5-Golf-GTI-miscellaneous/IMG6067/125698978_cpX37-L.jpg

http://27772.smugmug.com/MINI/2006/Night-shoot/IMG4262/87609926_G6ByS-L.jpg

[Lima]

oooooo... u might be starting a new trend here!! The blurring effect in the last picture is most awesome imo..

Blurry stuff at night is pretty cool. But often its more fun taking the pics than the results themselves. Here's a few I have on file, including one form my old Mk4 GTI, almost 10 years old, haha.

http://27772.smugmug.com/Other/Blurry-things/IMG0688/10654836_HYoSL-L.jpg

http://27772.smugmug.com/Other/Blurry-things/IMG0671/10654798_FyNm5-L.jpg

http://27772.smugmug.com/Other/Blurry-things/golf4-dash-001/11494517_uJgkS-L.jpg

[MasterKevin]

Warp speed in the GT Sport!
http://camerooney.smugmug.com/Other/Night-Shots/Night-004/907172840_dz8tY-XL.jpg

WIN !

[kaoticice]

Great photos Lima!!
THe lighting in the S3 is spot-on.. I can only wish to do something like that!

The light painting on the second pic is awesome too

[Cam]

Sexy photos Lima!
What did you use for the streak in your GTI pic? A little torch or something?

[Lima]

Yes Cam, a small maglite. The camera on a tripod, obviously, set the shutter (was probably a 15-20s exposure from memory) then quickly do a lap around the car with the torch.

[fuzion]

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/8985/sideonredfern.jpg

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/7433/shoot12.jpg

oldies

[Lima]

You parked in a disabled spot you prick! :lol:

[burgs]

Love your S3 :)

[Cam]

You parked in a disabled spot you prick! :lol:

Haha reminds me of the intro to the fat pizza movie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tar6Dy955_o

:lol:

[srbsta]

where can i buy the canon remote from??? thanks

[burgs]

Haha reminds me of the intro to the fat pizza movie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tar6Dy955_o

:lol:
Bahaha that is awesome :)

[nath_mk6]

where can i buy the canon remote from??? thanks

what remote are you talking about? if you mean the shutter release remotes any camera store or ebay, vary from $30 to $300

[srbsta]

this one :) http://brightscreenstore.com/store/images/canon%20remote%20switch.jpg

[burgs]

Heaps of places sell them, give teds or paxton's a call :)

[nath_mk6]

hand held shot from last night, the clouds were moving so fast.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1013/4732919804_59c7fbcd51_b.jpg

[Cam]

Dark and brooding. I like it!
I watched Wolfman last night, looks a bit like the moon and clouds in the movie
;)

[schoona]

My first night shot:

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii140/schoona/June%202010/IMG_0677small.jpg

[schoona]

My first night shot. I'm reasonably happy with it:

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii140/schoona/June%202010/IMG_0677small.jpg

[nath_mk6]

looks really good Mal, nice building where is it?

[schoona]

Ta for the props Nath.

Ahh its a Catholic College (I think) on Victoria Road. Took it last night :)

[Cam]

Great shot Mal!
Really like the symmetry.

[srbsta]

just taken with no edit :)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4139/4760143824_eb1d5d5a3a_b.jpg

[burgs]

Great photo Nikola :)

[HOTHATCH]

Why can't I take photos like that with my Kodak 4mp ? Nice!!!!!!!!

[srbsta]

some pics of the city :) wish i had a better lense, using the stock 400D kit lense

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4140/4760380398_5184b39b42_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4142/4759745753_7a8ae5bf7d_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4075/4760379506_fff9d94551_b.jpg

[nath_mk6]

taken from South Head yeah?

[Cam]

Nice Nik
:)

[srbsta]

from north head, near the quarantine station manly

[Cam]

Recent shot of the moon.
Its actually 2 shots, first with the clouds the moon was overexposed and the second was just the moon and they've been merged together.
:)

http://camerooney.smugmug.com/Other/Night-Shots/Moon/986040735_noDA7-L.jpg

[Ozram]

Nice work Cam. Looks very ghostly.

[Cam]

Thanks Stuart
:)

With the warmer weather ahead of us I'm looking forward to getting some pics of star trails.

[blaze182]

Someone should take a photo of the same thing at night on 3 very different ISO levels to try and give an idea of the varying effect =D

I for one would like to see =D