Night time photography - Not stars

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

12/16/2005 05:45:09 PM · #1

I was just wondering what everybody else has done at night. I know there was just the 4-5 challenge but I didn't see a lot of the photos that I thought I would. I messed up and didn't get mine submitted in time.(Barn) These are both in the middle of the night using long exposer times to get just the right amount of light. Does anybody else do this sort of photography? If so would you share some thoughts and even examples if you have them? Especialy on the subject of white balance I am still playing around a lot and can't seem to find what works everytime- other than the fact that auto will give different results from one time to the next. Any comments or examples? Thanks.

Azrifel

Fujifilm X100VI

12/16/2005 06:04:19 PM · #2

* Watching out of the window how awful the weather is
* Being busy with my study of Russian language
* Training my dog
* Sleeping

It's full moon this weekend. Will go out and shoot something as long as the moon comes from behind the clouds.

Good photosm btw.

Message edited by author 2005-12-16 18:04:38.

stare_at_the_sun

Canon EOS-10D

12/16/2005 06:11:12 PM · #3

I like the first one a lot.

I havn't tried this myself but I did just read an article about it in a photo magazine....can't remember which one though.

I might have to go out and try some stuff like this...looks pretty rad.

tsheets

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

12/16/2005 06:22:08 PM · #4

Both are nice shots. I like the barn one quite a bit.

As far as white balance...I really don't know what to tell you. To get the exposure, even from a slow shutter, there has to be some light source. Many of the shots I try at night are in town, and there are all different types of street/building lights. Best bet would be to shoot RAW and adjust by memory from there, or even a white/gray card. but, if your subjects are farther away, without a dominant light source, the light could be different there than where you've set up.

12/16/2005 06:35:18 PM · #5

Originally posted by tsheets:

I didn't even think of shooting in RAW. That would allow me to do my tests all on the same picture too. I will have to try that. I shot quite a few frames last night but this one (snowy river) Turned out pretty nice. I will have to post the other and see wha people think of those. Thanks for the RAW tip- I'm gonna try that just a little bit later.

Jim

12/21/2005 05:11:32 PM · #6

Does anybody have a copy of the Pop Phot article from about 2 years ago that deffined a lot of night time photography? Just wondering. Thanks

jpeters

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

12/21/2005 05:21:08 PM · #7

Here's one I took. Sometimes innapropriate white balance can give you some neat colors. But if you shoot in RAW you can easily adjust any WB issues.

I have a PopPhoto with an article on night photography, I believe. Unfortunately it's in my apartment at school and I wont be there for a couple weeks.

Givemeashot

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6

12/21/2005 05:26:05 PM · #8

I was down town i go to this spot alot i took this shot with my 35mm and it turned out yellow and kinda cool looking but i wanted it clear and this is what i got with my D70

Givemeashot

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6

12/21/2005 05:27:54 PM · #9

tenfrozentoes i like your shots alot the bottom one seems like a good place to go ice skating =)

GreenGiant

Canon EOS-20D

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

12/21/2005 05:29:30 PM · #10

I am not sure if your 300D is capable but I use the color temp option on my 20D and adjust it until it looks right its usually a very cold temp for night photos near 3000K.

-Green

skylen

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

12/21/2005 05:37:00 PM · #11

Originally posted by GreenGiant:

I am not sure if your 300D is capable but I use the color temp option on my 20D and adjust it until it looks right its usually a very cold temp for night photos near 3000K.

-Green

Shoot in RAW and adjust WB in post.

BrennanOB

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

12/21/2005 06:37:03 PM · #12

Dave Black does some great work with light painting, you might want to check him out. He is a master.

For my own junk I like to shoot in RAW, both to color correct, and to get exposure bracketing so I can fill in blocked up blacks and burned in blown highlights. In shots like the one below I could make the lights more uniform in color and lessen how blown out the moon is, in fact i ought to stop messing around in the fora and do that now. I like to shoot below 400 iso, and use manual focus and exposure after using apature priorty to get a sense of how much light the sensor wants. and remember to block off the viewport on long exposures, and getting the software hack to allow mirror lock up is a help too.