Shooting at night

[Scott Boy]

New to D-SLR cameras and still trying to figure everything out, any tips for shooting at night?? I've been messing with the shutter speed but pics not coming out real well .. thanks

[swintonphoto]

What is your subject? Are you photographing non-moving objects, or are you photographing people and/or moving objects?

[i_worship_the_King]

moving objects @ night? WOW - I would definitely love to see that one :D

I've had decent luck outside with a tripod, 30+ second exposure, and I like the lowest fstop and around ISO400 - 800. Nikolai has some incredible night shots, search for some of the recent threads about it.

I've found that the most annoying thing about night shooting is the cascading noise. If you have an older camera (like mine) you have to use low ISO and longer exposure. With a new camera you can use higher ISO and faster shutter. You get the idea.

My only recommendation is take some hot chocolate or something, 30 seconds is a LOOOOOOOOONG time for someone with zero patience like me.

For the first time out I would recommend trying out forcing your body to the desired ISO (no autoISO), shutter priority and click the wheel until the body says you'll get a decent exposure. Use that as a starting point (it will no-doubt be wrong, but close) and with a basic understanding of how f-stops and shutter speeds work you'll be sitting pretty in 5 minutes (hot chocolate). OR there is always the bracketed shooting. Tried that before too, set the bracket to stops or something and see which one looks best then tweak from there (holding the button for 90 seconds? HOT CHOCOLATE.)

Hope you get something out of all this jabber :huh

[pathfinder]

I love shooting at night with a DSLR. So does waxy too. Google waxy and night shots or search here on dgrin for waxy and night shots.

Set your ISO to 800 or 1600 and embrace the noise. Put your camera in Manual Mode - throw away the auto, beginner modes and use Manual Mode for shooting at night. Your meter will frequently be wrong about exposure. Learn to read and use the histogram to evaluate the exposure. Shoot in RAW. These same suggestions apply to lots of other types of shooting as well - nothing really new.


Find some lights - there is no real point in shooting a black cat in a coal mine.

Neon is lots of fun, and usually needs 1 or 2 stops of (-) Minus Exposure Compensation.


f6.3 1/100th ISO 800 - 5/3 EV
http://Pathfinder.smugmug.com/photos/7484296-M.jpg

Capture lights and ambient light at the same time

f2.8 1/15th, ISO 1600 -1/3 EV
http://Pathfinder.smugmug.com/photos/7484298-M.jpg

f8.0, 0.6 secs ( held on the window sill of my car door ) ISO 1600
http://Pathfinder.smugmug.com/photos/7484299-M.jpg


You will need a good tripod for really dark scenes.

f22.0, 20 ( twenty ) seconds , ISO 100, - 1 2/3 EV
http://Pathfinder.smugmug.com/photos/36612632-M.jpg

And don't forget B&W at night either

f9.0 30 seconds , ISO 200 + 1 EV
http://Pathfinder.smugmug.com/photos/8622160-M.jpg

If you are serious about photography, invest in a good tripod and learn to use it. It will improve the quality of your images in many ways, and always makes a good lens that much better. Use of a tripod will permit shooting at your camera's lowest ISO settings which will greatly decrease the noise issue as well.

If your camera system has IS lenses ( Image Stabliization ) they can be great help as well.

f4.5, 1/15th sec handheld, ISO 800
http://Pathfinder.smugmug.com/photos/48702099-L.jpg

Join the rest of us vampires and get out there in the darkness and shoot!!:thumb

[wxwax]

I think PF said it all. He also reminded me that it's been a while since I wandered around at night.

I rely almost completely on my histogram to tell me what I'm doing. I use either very fast glass and high ISO, or a tripod (always have a tripod with you.)

http://wxwax.smugmug.com/photos/12237101-M.jpg

http://wxwax.smugmug.com/photos/6746554-M.jpg

http://wxwax.smugmug.com/photos/6940564-M.jpg

http://wxwax.smugmug.com/photos/7640957-M.jpg

[pathfinder]

Hi Sid, glad you dropped by.

We need to do some more vampire shooting around here.:thumb

Nightingale and I love Brusters too

[wxwax]

Hi Sid, glad you dropped by.

We need to do some more vampire shooting around here.:thumb
Indeed!

I shot a lot at night before I got anything I thought was worth posting. For a while, I was very frustrated. But then I started seeing the light a bit differently, I guess. :dunno

http://wxwax.smugmug.com/photos/12601870-M.jpg

http://wxwax.smugmug.com/photos/3710038-M.jpg

[wxwax]

Nightingale and I love Brusters too
:lol3 :barb

[wxwax]

BTW, I think one of the tricks to shooting at night... is to not shoot at night!

Soon after the sun dips below the horizon the sky turns a gorgeous shade of blue for a few moments. It can make for some lovely night shots that are, in fact, shot at dusk. Next time you see a "night" cityscape, look for color in the sky. It's a giveway!

http://wxwax.smugmug.com/photos/58508310-L.jpg

[dmmattix]

Here is one I took last year. I keep going back to it and playing with it but never finish. I agree with the right after sunset approach it really makes for some great skies.

http://MikeMattix.smugmug.com/photos/205707917-M-0.jpg

Mike

[Nikolai]

I hope you don't forget to check with us here: http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=72936
:wink

[Scott Boy]

I hope you don't forget to check with us here: http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=72936
:wink

thanks for everyones input, I'm experimenting with a lot of these ideas.

[Bill_M]

I recommend a low ISO (I usually use 200 for night shots). Use a tripod & high number apertures (f16+). I have a bunch more in my gallery if you're interested.

http://www.merlavageimages.com/photos/175302883-M.jpg

[Llywellyn]

My formula: f/8.0 + 1 sec exposure + ISO 100 + tripod = equals my set starting point. It's usually spot on. If I need to adjust, I bracket my time (i.e., I change the length of my exposure and leave my aperture alone). I find for grabbing lights, I hover around 1 sec to 1.5 sec. For much darker areas, I will go all the way up to 30 sec. And bring a flashlight. :D

1.3 sec, f/8.0, ISO 100
http://www.theoriginalblackcat.com/photos/201503621-S.jpg

0.6 sec, f/8.0, ISO 100
http://www.theoriginalblackcat.com/photos/201507026-S.jpg

If you're trying to shoot the moon, use the settings above but start your exposure time at 1/250 sec (sounds crazy to use such a fast shutter speed at night, but trust me--otherwise, you're just going to get a white orb), and bracket the time from there.

http://www.theoriginalblackcat.com/photos/201507511-M.jpg

Good luck! And be sure to post some of your shots. :thumb

[Raphy]

Great thread... i'm just starting out with dslrs and have just been out once shoooting at night... just messing around with the settings, as i'm just getting used to my new dslr...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2145/1769308434_fffe59d5f6.jpg
Exposure:30 sec (30)Aperture:f/22Focal Length:55 mmISO Speed:800Exposure Bias:0/6 EV

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2294/1769321908_19a34c4eb1.jpg

With different White Balance settings:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2289/1682593661_92a0c7e562_m.jpg http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2161/1682592459_ee40e75fac_m.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2393/1769312152_59b0f78774.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2077/1768466449_8de2959f23.jpg
Exposure:0.002 sec (1/500)Aperture:f/5.6Focal Length:200 mmISO Speed:200Exposure Bias:0/6 EV

[HarlanBear]

Man, there are some awesome night shots here!

Please tell me you folks are using noise removal software and it's not just a Canon thing. I shoot with Nikon (and love it). I also use Noise Ninja and get good results. But this stuff is amazing.

Very nice images, everyone :clap

[pathfinder]

Harlan Bear, shooting at night at ISO 100, should not have that much noise.

In addition, most Canon DSLRs can shoot nicely at 800 or 1600 ISO with minimal noise, and noise reduction softwear can render it even less visible.

White lenses rule:thumb ( That was a joke for those that are not paying close attention - I have said some very nice things about Nikons in the past - I even shoot with one - What the heck!! I own and still use my CoolPix 995:thumb :barb )

[Llywellyn]

Man, there are some awesome night shots here!

Please tell me you folks are using noise removal software and it's not just a Canon thing. I shoot with Nikon (and love it). I also use Noise Ninja and get good results. But this stuff is amazing.

Very nice images, everyone :clap

I'm a Nikon gal. :wink As pathfinder said, ISO 100 helps a ton with avoiding digital noise. If I have to juice up the ISO, I will use Noise Ninja if I think the noise detracts from the image overly much.

[StevenV]

Man, there are some awesome night shots here!

Agreed, many times over.

The challenge I'm having is in keeping the lights from not only blowing out but "blooming" as well, while getting any detail in the less-lit areas.



http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1331/1232370888_9be268141f.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1232370888&size=o&context=set-72157601663070326)

This is was multiple exposures and layered in PhotoShop, and I still didn't get what I was trying for.

[Bill_M]

Man, there are some awesome night shots here!

Please tell me you folks are using noise removal software and it's not just a Canon thing. I shoot with Nikon (and love it). I also use Noise Ninja and get good results. But this stuff is amazing.

Very nice images, everyone :clap

I use the in-camera Noise Reduction...it seems to work well. The only downside is the wait...for example, if you use a 30 second shutter, it takes an additional 30 seconds to apply the noise reduction. Not a big issue, especially considering how clean the shots look.

My advise is to keep the ISO low, you shouldn't have that much noise.

My other suggestion, as I mentioned above, is to use higher number aperture...you can usually get some nice starburts effects with slr lenses. Doesn't work with point & shoots (no physical aperture blades).

Here's one I particularly like...I think this was f22.

Good luck...

http://www.merlavageimages.com/photos/157886321-M.jpg

[SloYerRoll]

http://www.merlavageimages.com/photos/157886321-M.jpg
Nothing to add. I just love this shot! Good work Bill!

[Bill_M]

Nothing to add. I just love this shot! Good work Bill!

Thank you....that's kind of you to say.

Bill

[Pexi]

This is a great thread! I've been trying to learn decent night photography for some time, and sometimes I'd like to use longer than 30 s exposure time. Beyond that, 20D is in "bulb" mode, but then I'd obviously need some kind of remote control to keep the shutter open as long as needed?

What are my options equipment wise? Can anyone recommend me something or otherwise guide me to the right track?

I shot the photos below when experimenting for LPS15, in bright moon light and already hit the 30 s barrier.
Exposure Time: 30s (30/1)
Aperture: f/8.0
ISO: 400
Focal Length: 17mm (27.2mm in 35mm)
http://pexi.smugmug.com/photos/212112967-M-8.jpg

http://pexi.smugmug.com/photos/210889868-M-1.jpg
Exposure Time: 30s (30/1)
Aperture: f/5.6
ISO: 400

[HarlanBear]

Harlan Bear, shooting at night at ISO 100, should not have that much noise.

Yea, I have ISO envy. My D70 only goes down to ISO 200:cry

But it is a Nikon:clap

White lenses rule:thumb

This answers a lot of questions. Here I thought it was just to scare off the wildlife and give the birds a good target.:D
Just kidding, of course. Some of my best friends have Canons.

[dmmattix]

This is a great thread! I've been trying to learn decent night photography for some time, and sometimes I'd like to use longer than 30 s exposure time. Beyond that, 20D is in "bulb" mode, but then I'd obviously need some kind of remote control to keep the shutter open as long as needed?

What are my options equipment wise? Can anyone recommend me something or otherwise guide me to the right track?


Take a look at the Canon RS-80N3. Canon has the old T3 version for their older film cameras (I have a 630 and one of those also) and the N3 version for their digital cameras and some of the new pro style film cameras (EOS-3 and EOS-1V for instance). So be careful as to which one you buy. I have seen cheaper versions on e-bay and have heard of mixed results with their reliability. I already had the RS-80N3 when I first heard of them so I never bothered.


This is a link to B&H Photo for the release:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/164276-REG/Canon_2476A001_Remote_Switch_RS_80N3.html

Hope this might help

[Giphsub]

That is a great shot Bill_M :clap

My suggestion would be to just get out there and take heaps of pics at many different combinations going up or down the various settings in increments. Once back at home you can see which ones worked and didn't, and remember the settings that worked for next time. Then you can do some more fine tuning.

This is a great thread. Some very nice pics on here. Here is my addition. The bright spots are blown out, but I like the overall effect.

http://giphsub.smugmug.com/photos/188000651-M-2.jpg

[Bill_M]

So be careful as to which one you buy. I have seen cheaper versions on e-bay and have heard of mixed results with their reliability. I already had the RS-80N3 when I first heard of them so I never bothered.



I only use the Ebay cheap shutter cables & I feel the reliability is pretty good. My primary reason for using cheap ones is, I have a tendency to lose things while night shooting...specifically shutter release cables & lens caps. I'm probably on my 5th or 6th Ebay cheapie shutter release cable...only one was faulty (and that may have been my fault, used it in the rain)...the others were lost.

Good luck...
Bill

[Scott Boy]

I've been practicing a lot with this... here are some that I've shot recently, thanks for everyones input.

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w243/doughboy2518/Picture057.jpg

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w243/doughboy2518/Picture058.jpg

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w243/doughboy2518/Picture075.jpg

[Giphsub]

That second one is a very lonely photo. Nice effort :thumb

Here are a couple I took on the weekend, after this thread inspired me to get out and play at night.

http://giphsub.smugmug.com/photos/215672659-L.jpg

http://giphsub.smugmug.com/photos/215677558-L.jpg

http://giphsub.smugmug.com/photos/215671997-L.jpg

[colfragless]

Here are some Of my night shots... I would also like to add this was my first attempt with my new camera.... ~Sparky~

http://sparkswebalbum.smugmug.com/photos/211921672-M.jpg

http://sparkswebalbum.smugmug.com/photos/211923699-M.jpg

[Aviator327]

Speaking of shooting at night, Any tips on taking a picture of a car at night using existing light? As an example, taking a pic on a dealership lot which is well lit with those large lights that illuminate the whole area. what settings.ie, shutter speed, ISO, aperature would be recommended? I would be using a tripod and my Canon 10D. Any input would be appreciated or if anyone has a pic of a car night pic would help. Thanks

[Nikolai]

Speaking of shooting at night, Any tips on taking a picture of a car at night using existing light? As an example, taking a pic on a dealership lot which is well lit with those large lights that illuminate the whole area. what settings.ie, shutter speed, ISO, aperature would be recommended? I would be using a tripod and my Canon 10D. Any input would be appreciated or if anyone has a pic of a car night pic would help. Thanks

With all due respect, we can guess all night here (pun intended:-) and don't even come close to what just a couple of minutes of test shooting and analyzing the histogram would give you. :deal

[Aviator327]

With all due respect, we can guess all night here (pun intended:-) and don't even come close to what just a couple of minutes of test shooting and analyzing the histogram would give you. :deal

Thanks for the reply. I plan on going out when it get dark to take a few "test shots". Never thought about using the histogram.

[Nikolai]

Thanks for the reply. I plan on going out when it get dark to take a few "test shots". Never thought about using the histogram.

Glad to be of help. Histogram totally eliminates the guess factor. It's not *always* usable, e.g. it's almost useless when the light changes very fast (that is, unless you have a "live" one, which 10D doesn't have), but in your case it looks like a perfect tool for the job.

Good luck, dont' forget to share the final results! :thumb

[KED]

Great thread... i'm just starting out with dslrs and have just been out once shoooting at night... just messing around with the settings, as i'm just getting used to my new dslr...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2145/1769308434_fffe59d5f6.jpg
Exposure:30 sec (30)Aperture:f/22Focal Length:55 mmISO Speed:800Exposure Bias:0/6 EV

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2294/1769321908_19a34c4eb1.jpg

With different White Balance settings:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2289/1682593661_92a0c7e562_m.jpg http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2161/1682592459_ee40e75fac_m.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2393/1769312152_59b0f78774.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2077/1768466449_8de2959f23.jpg
Exposure:0.002 sec (1/500)Aperture:f/5.6Focal Length:200 mmISO Speed:200Exposure Bias:0/6 EV
Were you in the Space Shuttle when you shot this?

[KED]

Were you in the Space Shuttle when you shot this?
To all of you have been involved in this great thread, a newbie question: why such high aperture values? Instinctively I would have thought that the more wide open the better?

[pathfinder]

Smaller apertures ( high numbered f stops like f16 or f22 ) result in longer exposures and vastly greater depth of field.

[Scott Boy]

You're 3rd shot here is just AWSOME, very cool



:clap Here are a couple I took on the weekend, after this thread inspired me to get out and play at night.

http://giphsub.smugmug.com/photos/215672659-L.jpg

http://giphsub.smugmug.com/photos/215677558-L.jpg

http://giphsub.smugmug.com/photos/215671997-L.jpg[/quote]

[Aviator327]

Went out last night and took a few test shots. The yellowish hue is from the overhead lights in the parking lot. This night shooting may be interesting.

http://i.pbase.com/g3/89/377389/2/88279662.qEpkidp9.jpg

[Izzy Garavito]

Hey all, this is from my first time out at night ever. please tell me what you think or how the shots could be better!

http://fc04.deviantart.com/fs21/i/2007/305/d/3/St__Paul_at_night_by_IzzyGaravito.jpg




quadtone:

http://fc02.deviantart.com/fs21/i/2007/305/2/c/St__Paul_at_night_quadtone_by_IzzyGaravito.jpg

[Giphsub]

You're 3rd shot here is just AWSOME, very cool
Thanks Scott Boy.

[Izzy Garavito]

You're 3rd shot here is just AWSOME, very cool



:clap Here are a couple I took on the weekend, after this thread inspired me to get out and play at night.


http://giphsub.smugmug.com/photos/215671997-L.jpg[/quote]

Hey Scottboy, I love the sharpiness of this shot. what was the exif? with my night shots I find that the longer i keep the shutter open the less focused (softer) the photos look. I use a tripod and electronic remote release. So I can't seem to get tack sharp pics with long exposures and small appertures, and have to compromise my DOF with sharpness. Is that usual when shooting at night (this is way past sunset, say midnight)

[Antonio Correia]

Today I made this shot on the beach.
http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/photos/216778249-M-2.jpg


EXIF = Date Taken 2007-11-03 18:59:41 CameraCanon EOS 350D DIGITAL Exposure Time 25s Aperture f/22.0 ISO100 Focal Length 35mm Flashflash did not fire, compulsory flash mode Exposure Program shutter priority

[Izzy Garavito]

Today I made this shot on the beach.
http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/photos/216778249-M-2.jpg


EXIF = Date Taken 2007-11-03 18:59:41 CameraCanon EOS 350D DIGITAL Exposure Time 25s Aperture f/22.0 ISO100 Focal Length 35mm Flashflash did not fire, compulsory flash mode Exposure Program shutter priority


Is that the moon on the left? good shot!

[Izzy Garavito]

one more:

and Please, any comments/suggestions/criticizms are welcome as I really want to improve my night shooting!

Canon 30D
17-55mm EO-S
F/8.0
13/1 shutter
17mm focal length

http://fc02.deviantart.com/fs20/i/2007/308/a/c/Stone_Arch_Bridge_by_IzzyGaravito.jpg

[Giphsub]

Hey Scottboy, I love the sharpiness of this shot. what was the exif? with my night shots I find that the longer i keep the shutter open the less focused (softer) the photos look. I use a tripod and electronic remote release. So I can't seem to get tack sharp pics with long exposures and small appertures, and have to compromise my DOF with sharpness. Is that usual when shooting at night (this is way past sunset, say midnight)

Hi Izzy, that was actually my pic. I think Scottboy lost one of the quote tags when he quoted my posting, adding a little confusion to whose pic that was.

That shot was 15 sec exposure at 4.2f. Focal length 32mm. I don't really know why you don't get sharp pics at night :dunno I also use an electronic remote release... Perhaps at low aps your focus is not quite hitting the intended target and so getting lost in the shallow DOF??

[Antonio Correia]

Is that the moon on the left? good shot!

Don't tell anyone, but he Moon was not there ! :huh
:wink:thumb

[Izzy Garavito]

Hi Izzy, that was actually my pic. I think Scottboy lost one of the quote tags when he quoted my posting, adding a little confusion to whose pic that was.

That shot was 15 sec exposure at 4.2f. Focal length 32mm. I don't really know why you don't get sharp pics at night :dunno I also use an electronic remote release... Perhaps at low aps your focus is not quite hitting the intended target and so getting lost in the shallow DOF??

Hey Mike, my bad. great pic :) do you set your focus manually, then? what about when I'm using aps at 10-22? I usually let the auto focus do the job, but I'm finding that I might have to get a high power flashlight and do it myself. How do you all find focus at night?

[Izzy Garavito]

and the colors change when I post them for some reason -.- anyone know how to fix this?

[Nikolai]

and the colors change when I post them for some reason -.- anyone know how to fix this?
You're prolly working with AdobeRGB (or some other extended color space). Web is sRGB kingdom...:dunno

[jogle]

With Guy Fawkes night tonight I went back through my photos from last year and thought I'd post some here:

http://ogle.smugmug.com/photos/108144109-XL-2.jpg


http://ogle.smugmug.com/photos/108144235-XL-2.jpg


http://ogle.smugmug.com/photos/108138189-XL-2.jpg

[jogle]

Hey Scottboy, I love the sharpiness of this shot. what was the exif? with my night shots I find that the longer i keep the shutter open the less focused (softer) the photos look. I use a tripod and electronic remote release. So I can't seem to get tack sharp pics with long exposures and small appertures, and have to compromise my DOF with sharpness. Is that usual when shooting at night (this is way past sunset, say midnight)

How heavy is your tripod? do you use mirror lockup?

If you hold one of the legs of your tripod and hit the shutter, you will feel a shudder as the mirror flips up, the whole point of mirror lockup, is to reduce the mirror slap by hitting the shutter once to lockup the mirror, waiting a few seconds then hitting it again to open the shutter. This helps heaps with the sharpness in long exposure shots.

The sturdiness of your tripod is a big thing too, especially if there is any wind. My tripod has a hook in the center under the head. For night shots, I take some cord and hang my camera bag off this hook, I make it just touch the ground so that it won't swing around. All that extra weight pulling straight down makes it much more stable.

[Izzy Garavito]

You're prolly working with AdobeRGB (or some other extended color space). Web is sRGB kingdom...:dunno

Hey Nik, if I change the color space in the camera, will it stay consistent after post processing, or do I need to make some adjustments? and if I shot in adobe rgb, can I change it later, or is it finished?

[Izzy Garavito]

How heavy is your tripod? do you use mirror lockup?

If you hold one of the legs of your tripod and hit the shutter, you will feel a shudder as the mirror flips up, the whole point of mirror lockup, is to reduce the mirror slap by hitting the shutter once to lockup the mirror, waiting a few seconds then hitting it again to open the shutter. This helps heaps with the sharpness in long exposure shots.

The sturdiness of your tripod is a big thing too, especially if there is any wind. My tripod has a hook in the center under the head. For night shots, I take some cord and hang my camera bag off this hook, I make it just touch the ground so that it won't swing around. All that extra weight pulling straight down makes it much more stable.

Hey James, thanks for the tip! i hadn't thought about hanging my bag from my tripod :scratch

I do use mirror lockup for night shots, but I'll try to hang the bag from the tripod and see how that works.

Thanks a ton
Izzy

[Nikolai]

Hey James, thanks for the tip! i hadn't thought about hanging my bag from my tripod :scratch

I do use mirror lockup for night shots, but I'll try to hang the bag from the tripod and see how that works.

Thanks a ton
Izzy

Using a (usually rather heavy:-) camera bag as a tripod stabilizer is a fairly common technique. Here's a sample from a small sunset shooting gallery (http://nik.smugmug.com/gallery/3765865):

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/216773589-L.jpg

If nothing else, it's much better to keep your bag up in the air than have it lying on a dusty ground and thus risking bringing more dust into our fragile gear... :wink And if shooting in public places it's also one less point of concern that it get its own legs and walks away from you... :rofl

HTH

[Izzy Garavito]

Excellent ^.^ Ill give it a shot and see if that's what I was missing. Hey Nik, how can I change my photos from adobe RGB to SRGB in post processing?

[Giphsub]

Izzy, I used auto focus on those shots cos there was enough ambient light around.

[Nikolai]

Excellent ^.^ Ill give it a shot and see if that's what I was missing. Hey Nik, how can I change my photos from adobe RGB to SRGB in post processing?
PS|Edit|Convert to Profile...

[Scott Boy]

Hey Mike, my bad. great pic :) do you set your focus manually, then? what about when I'm using aps at 10-22? I usually let the auto focus do the job, but I'm finding that I might have to get a high power flashlight and do it myself. How do you all find focus at night?

Hey Izzy, I was using my auto focus at night and found that it just didn't focus very well in the dark. I've now swithced and started using the manual focus and I think it works a little better.. you may want to try that.

Scott

[TylerW]

Here's a good general question for the urban night shooters out there - is there any really good white balance preset for shooting under sodium lights? I went through my big pile of shots from SF's Dia De Los Muertos parade (http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?p=674660#post674660) from last friday, and it was a nightmre in post processing getting the colors right again.

Any tips/kelvin settings?

[Izzy Garavito]

PS|Edit|Convert to Profile...

Nik, when I do that (sorry to ask in this thread, btw) and save as srgb the images look the same online as they did with aRGB. am I doing something wrong?

[Nikolai]

Nik, when I do that (sorry to ask in this thread, btw) and save as srgb the images look the same online as they did with aRGB. am I doing something wrong?
Hmm.. That's strange.. Are you're sure you're overriding the profile?

[Izzy Garavito]

Hmm.. That's strange.. Are you're sure you're overriding the profile?

How can I make sure? I must be doing something wrong :/

[Nikolai]

How can I make sure? I must be doing something wrong :/
By opening the file after saving and verifying it's sRGB?
Also, I hope you're operating with jpegs and the is absolutely no other conversion involved prior to uploading?

[Izzy Garavito]

By opening the file after saving and verifying it's sRGB?
Also, I hope you're operating with jpegs and the is absolutely no other conversion involved prior to uploading?


Yeah, I convert to jpeg prior to uploading and don't mess with them after I convert. Could you take a quick min to show me the steps of what you would do, just to make sure I'm doing it correctly?


Thanks for your help!

Izzy

[Nikolai]

Yeah, I convert to jpeg prior to uploading and don't mess with them after I convert. Could you take a quick min to show me the steps of what you would do, just to make sure I'm doing it correctly?


Thanks for your help!

Izzy

Izzy, all my workflow is sRGB, so I usually don't take those steps :dunno

However, for all I know, it should be just what I said...
The thing is, PS can be tricky with overriding profiles. Check your preferences.
The steps are: convert, save the file, close all the files in PS, make sure it doesn't automatically convert to aRGB on opening and open the saved file to see if it stays sRGB.

If this doesn't help, you may need to talk to somebody who's doing this on a regular basis :dunno

[studio girl]

Any shoots done from a cruise ship @ night? If so could you post them please.

[noeltykay]

Just stumbled across this thread...I love shooting at night. Have not had a chance to do so in a while. But here are some of my personal faves:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/46/150200469_68b1f331e3.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/162/362590507_20ae88741c.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/179/394908935_9c93b4e36e.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/150/343651420_39034e4441.jpg?v=0

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1165/1058390462_c50d303d04.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/63/187884189_a19d6b0875.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/91/235665759_afad650c16.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2220/1723032094_df3c0fab27.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2290/1703467171_615a25ac39.jpg?v=0

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1384/796628674_11e596aa7e.jpg?v=0

[Joves]

Scoot what are you shooting with and, what is it about the photos that isnt turning out? Are they too dark or, are the color contrasts coming out bad. If it is the color contrast then the White Balance is off. I find that the preset Incandesent works well on my Nikons. Too dark you arent exposing long enough, too bright then too long. The great thing about Dslrs is instant review and, being able to try somethingelse to get it right. I like to shoot in ISO800 myself. You also need a tripod for those shots.

[Pindy]

Noeltykay, you've just helped get me out of my I-have-nothing-to-shoot-in-LA rut. Thanks for the inspiration.

[Pindy]

How could I have done this better? It's tough to gauge, by histogram only, metering for bright lights like these. It would be great to no have to use so much highlight recovery.

http://pindy.smugmug.com/photos/225723520-L.jpg

[Izzy Garavito]

Try having your lens focused at its hyperfocal distance at a larger aperture
(say, 2.8) and use a faster shutter speed. this will catch all of the lights and avoid them blowing out . . . sometimes. You can then just crop out what's not in focus right in front of the lens. The picture looks great, though :thumb , and it looks like your exposure wasn't that long. :scratch

Or, take one picture exposed for the ground and buildings and another for the sky, then merge them in PS

see if that works and let me know! I've found that there are some lights or some corners that are lit so brightly that it would be impossible to meter for them without losing a ton of detail in the shadows.

[Izzy Garavito]

http://fc05.deviantart.com/fs24/i/2007/331/a/9/St__Paul_Pano_by_IzzyGaravito.jpg


Make: Canon
Model: Canon EOS 30D
Shutter Speed: 6/1 second
F Number: F/8.0
Focal Length: 17 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Date Picture Taken: Nov 11, 2007, 12:42:31 AM
Artist's Comments
Panorama of St. Paul, MN. Hope you like it!


Tell me what you think. it looks like the pictures I put together for the pano were too far apart, making it look fisheyeish

[Izzy Garavito]

two more for the archives :D Please let me know how any of these shots could be bettered. I love shooting at night, by the way

http://fc01.deviantart.com/fs24/i/2007/325/d/e/Here__s_Johnny_2_Crop1_by_IzzyGaravito.jpg


http://fc05.deviantart.com/fs23/i/2007/323/9/9/Here__s_Johnny__by_IzzyGaravito.jpg


http://fc02.deviantart.com/fs20/i/2007/301/a/a/18th_Hole_by_IzzyGaravito.jpg

http://fc05.deviantart.com/fs21/i/2007/305/2/c/St__Paul_at_night_quadtone_by_IzzyGaravito.jpg

[Giphsub]

:thumb Love that second shot Izzy! Very menacing!

[Elaine]

I have thoroughly enjoyed viewing all of these beautiful night shots! :clap Here are a couple of mine...

taken just a couple days ago...
ISO 800, f/4, 1/30 handheld at 28mm
http://e-heasley.smugmug.com/photos/225624816-L-1.jpg


taken last Christmas season...
ISO 3200, f/5.6, 1/8 handheld at 50mm
http://e-heasley.smugmug.com/photos/117080519-L-1.jpg

[Antonio Correia]

http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/photos/226235096-M.jpg

EXIF (http://antoniocorreia.smugmug.com/photos/newexif.mg?ImageID=226235096) - This photo is the merge of 2 layers.
One for the tree and another one for the lights.

[noeltykay]

Noeltykay, you've just helped get me out of my I-have-nothing-to-shoot-in-LA rut. Thanks for the inspiration.

You have everything to shoot in LA!!!! Lots of great subject after dark!!!!

[gary2232]

BTW, I think one of the tricks to shooting at night... is to not shoot at night!

Soon after the sun dips below the horizon the sky turns a gorgeous shade of blue for a few moments. It can make for some lovely night shots that are, in fact, shot at dusk. Next time you see a "night" cityscape, look for color in the sky. It's a giveway!


http://wxwax.smugmug.com/photos/58508310-L.jpg I know this is a old post but this photo is great. Can you please post your settings for this shot? The white balance is very important to me. I hope you did not shoot this in raw. Also was there any post prosessing. I would like to be able to shoot this type of photo to hang on my wall. Any advice would be great.

[Ken J. Good]

First post. Been "lurking".

First and foremost, some of these night images are absolutely stunning. Wow!

I have so, so, so far to go! Based on this thread, I have a lot of good things to play and practice with. Thanx all for posting.

Background: I've been involved in the tactical end of things for quite some time, and much of that has not been capturing light, but emitting light with higher-end illumination tools and lasers in the military and law enforcement realm.

Now I own a company that sells small HID searchlights. The difficulty is "showing" people exactly how powerful these things are. So I decided to jump and attempt to learn how to do that through photography....

I know, I don't know what I don't know.....So I stated small so to speak and purchased a Nikon D40X with a couple of lenses.

Started reading a little, going out at night and taking pictures.....Of course fell flat on my face at first. But now I am crawling very, very slowly.

I ran into a phenomenon that I am hoping someone here can assist me with.

I took an image of a darkend football field with the following settings:
f/5.6 5.0s ISO400 0EV
I do this so that there is a relative difference comparison image.

http://polarion-usa.com/images/Football-Field-Dark.jpg

5 seconds later using the exact same settings, I take an image of the same scene, but with one of our lights on.
http://polarion-usa.com/images/Football-Field-Lit.jpg

Question: Why does the background mountains show up in the second image when I have not changed any of the manual settings?

It seems the sensor is reacting differently based on the large volume of light coming almost directly at the camera. It is the metering I used (Spot) or something else?

Other images not related to my question:

http://polarion-usa.com/images/PortlandBridge1.jpg
http://polarion-usa.com/images/PortlandBridge2.jpg

http://polarion-usa.com/images/PortlandBuilding1.jpg
http://polarion-usa.com/images/PortlandBuilding2.jpg

See also:
http://polarion-usa.com/images/Football-Field-PH40120507-7.jpg
http://polarion-usa.com/images/Football-Field-PH40120507-8.jpg

Any and all comments/tips appreciated!

Respectfully,

Ken J. Good
http://polarion-usa.com

[tonichelle]

f4.5, 1/15th sec handheld, ISO 800
http://Pathfinder.smugmug.com/photos/48702099-L.jpg



OMG is that the Osbourne light show at Disney Studios - Walt Disney World???????

[pathfinder]

Yup, Disney World.

December 2005.

[Izzy Garavito]

One more. Any thoughts appreciated!

http://fc05.deviantart.com/fs23/i/2007/343/6/4/pit_stop_by_IzzyGaravito.jpg

[darkdragon]

moving objects @ night? WOW - I would definitely love to see that one :D


I just started shooting night shots myself. Still trying to learn what settings are best, etc. Here's my favorite shot so far though. This was a moving shot. I don't think the EXIF data got included when I uploaded it though. Definately not a perfect shot, but I like it and learned a lot while I was shooting.

http://darkdragon.smugmug.com/photos/231822246-M.jpg

Canon 40D, 50mm f/1.4, 1600 ISO, Tv 1250 (i think)

[Izzy Garavito]

It was a wonderful night outside: 0 deg. F, steam rising from the mississippi, and a clear sky (might have been nice to have some clouds, but meh).

http://fc04.deviantart.com/fs24/i/2008/002/3/b/test_by_IzzyGaravito.jpg

PANO: 4 Shots, cropped

Make: Canon
Model: Canon EOS 40D
Shutter Speed: 25/1 second
F Number: F/11.0
Focal Length: 17 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Date Picture Taken: Jan 1, 2008, 11:33:11 PM

Izzy