A Photo-taking NIGHTMARE!

[AllThingsKC]

Help, Tosspot (or anyone)!    I went out tonight taking a few random pictures, trying get some practice before I try to get some shots of the skyline with fireworks tonight.  But, the pictures are a disaster!  WHAT DID I DO WRONG?  Here's how they turned out:


That thing, whatever it is on Central:


10th & Central (stop light was flahsing yellow):




John's Big Deck:


TransAmerica Building:


That Hand-type thingy across from Bartle Hall, on 12th:


   :?:

[Tosspot]

Well you'll almost always need a tripod for night shots, for one thing.

[KCK]

Don't you have to slow down the exposure speed too? I really am not a photographer, but my sister told me that once.

[Tosspot]

Don't you have to slow down the exposure speed too? I really am not a photographer, but my sister told me that once.

Yes, a tripod and longer shutter openings.

[AllThingsKC]

Thanks, guys.

Ok, a tripod is easy.  What about longer shutter openings?  How do I do that?  (Besides get a new camera, that is  ).   Also, what would you recommend for the flash?

[Tosspot]

Thanks, guys.

Ok, a tripod is easy.  What about longer shutter openings?  How do I do that?  (Besides get a new camera, that is  ).  Also, what would you recommend for the flash?

You'll have to consult your camera's manual. Also, no flash for night photography if you want the picture to be good -- must be held steady by a tripod and longer shutter setting.

[bahua]

If your camera's "auto" mode doesn't keep the shutter open for long periods(in order to get enough light for the exposure), then there isn't much you can do, unless you can manually set the exposure time. I echo the "consult your manual" sentiment.

[GRID]

yea, unless you have an slr, I would just avoid night shots.

[kard]

And by being held steady, that means basically not touching it at all.  You'd need a cable release or a remote control.  Otherwise the camera will shake.

[bahua]

yea, unless you have an slr, I would just avoid night shots.

I disagree. There are plenty of non-SLR cameras that can take beautiful night shots. Case in point: Tosspot's Plaza lights thread.

[kard]

I disagree. There are plenty of non-SLR cameras that can take beautiful night shots. Case in point: Tosspot's Plaza lights thread.

Toss has a digital SLR.

But, generally speaking, you have a lot more control with shutter speed (several minute-long exposures, for example) on SLR's over the point and shoot guys.

[bahua]

He does now, but he didn't when those pictures were taken.

And to further back up my point, here are a few night shots taken with my cheapo camera:

[Tosspot]

This Plaza Lighting 2005 thread http://www.kcskyscrapers.com/newforum/i ... pic=7236.0 was taken with my old 4.0 MP Kodak non-SLR. It was on a tripod with the shutter speed set manually.

Then, shortly after I got my Canon SLR, so there are quite a few plaza lights threads from last Christmas that were taken with my SLR.

[AllThingsKC]

Bahua, what kind of camera did you use for those photos?

[bahua]

A Fuji e550 6.0 MP non-SLR, with the megapixels scaled back to 3.0(I see no reason for anything higher), and a tripod that my dad bought in Germany almost forty years ago.

You can find the camera now for well under $200, and tripods can be had cheaply, too.

[GRID]

I didnt' say it couldnt' be done, as kard says, you just have far more control over the camera with an slr.

But if you get something with some shutter control, you can snap night shots like bahua.

[bahua]

Or, you can just do it on auto, like I did. The camera takes care of everything. The hardest part of those pictures was being outside in the cold.

[MidWestSider]

Does your cam have ISO settings?

Another cool thing to do.. is buy one of those pocket tripods and use thing like your car roof/hood/trunk or mailboxes or anything that does not move for your base.  You can usually find them for about $5.

[bahua]

Ha! I guess mine does have a manual ISO setting. Cool! I never noticed it before.

[Roanoker]

Another cool thing to do.. is buy one of those pocket tripods and use thing like your car roof/hood/trunk or mailboxes or anything that does not move for your base.  You can usually find them for about $5.

I didn't know there was such a thing. I could have used one inside the Nelson. Where can I get it? (Be generic. I'm in Roanoke, VA.)