Skyline Photos (a little help?) - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF

07/03/2005 12:30:09 AM · #1

I tried some skyline photos today. I arrived at my spot early evening. I took some shots then, some at early dusk, some late dusk and some night. I can't seem to get a really good, crisp shot. Is it a lens/camera limitation or is there something I could do to help?

My shots were all shot at f/8 (highest the 717 will go) and ranging from about 1/13 to 3 seconds for the shutter speed. I had the ISO set to 100. All shot on a tripod. I still got lots of noise...these have already been run through NI, but still some noise. I seem to be able to get some decent exposure, just not clear focus in the distance. Any help would be appreciated.

TooCool

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

07/03/2005 12:40:53 AM · #2

First question: Where in the frames where you focusing on? Center, near or far...
Second question: Where you zoomed all the way out, all the way in or kinda in the middle...
Third question: Did you shoot in raw or jpeg...
Fourth question: How did ya post process...

pawdrix

Nikon D700

07/03/2005 12:46:44 AM · #3

I'm no expert on this but I think you'd need to shoot at around f11 or higher and at a much higher ISO for the images with less available light. I suppose that's obvious but in the end it all will depend on your system and sensor, as to what it can handle for low noise.

I used Neat Image to get rid of the noise in pictures 1 and 2, which weren't too bad to begin with. Neatimage is an amazing tool. None of these were taken with a tripod...given that, I'm ok with the results.

Message edited by author 2005-07-03 00:49:50.

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF

07/03/2005 12:48:09 AM · #4

Originally posted by TooCool:

Focus was set on the tall building to the left (with the red lit letters on the top) for the most part, or set on the stadium when taking that one. Zoomed slightly in for most shots. Shot in jpeg. Post processing was just crop, slight rotation on a few, bringing up contrast or brightness some. Then NI. For the web version, it was resized, unsharp mask, then border added.

edited to add: I also tried manual focus, but the best it seemed to be able to do was the furthest out or I guess you'd say the "infinity" setting, and even at that setting it didn't appear in focus.

Message edited by author 2005-07-03 00:52:01.

pawdrix

Nikon D700

07/03/2005 12:53:52 AM · #5

Have you tried using the Blur Tool, in PS or whatever processing program you have?

I've found that that can knock out noise in between details really well.

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

07/03/2005 12:59:18 AM · #6

Originally posted by pawdrix:

Have you tried using the Blur Tool, in PS or whatever processing program you have?

I've found that that can knock out noise in between details really well.

Yes, I did do that to the sky. I guess I'm less concerned about the noise, and more concerned about picking up some clearer focus and details. I don't want to keep beating myself up over it, however, if it's beyond my camera's capabilities. I may just have to find a closer spot. I'm scoping out areas for a big Labor Day fireworks display. I want to find a spot where I can get the city skyline as well as the fireworks.

tsheets

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

07/03/2005 10:03:24 AM · #7

If you're less worried about the noise in the night shots, maybe try decreasing the exposure time and possibly increasing the ISO and (since f/8 is the smallest aperature you can use). Not sure if it will help appreciably, but worth a shot.

k4ffy

07/03/2005 10:10:51 AM · #8

i've had the same problem. i use a rebel xt set at 800 with shutter speeds varying from 1/60 to 2 seconds on a tripod, and my results dont seem as sharp as they should be. i've tried this with the 18-55 ef-s kit lens as well as my 75-300 is lens. help from people who've won challenges with incredibly sharp skyline shots would be appreciated!

jpeters

Nikon D200

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

07/03/2005 10:53:26 AM · #9

Judy,
I don't have anything to add that hasn't already been added, but I think you and I were shooting from the same location last night (Devou Park) at the same time. I think I may remember seeing you too, or at least another woman with a Sony DSC-F717. I couldn't get my skyline shots to look how I wanted last night either, so I gave up on it and went to Fountain Square. OK, well I've rambled enough. I just thought it was neat that I was shooting next to a fellow DPCer and didn't even know it!

TooCool

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

07/03/2005 11:04:32 AM · #10

I'll hafta see if I can find the PS action that I've been using lately. It does wonders on sharpening and tonality. It's designed for dSLR camera files but did wonders on my old cameras files as well... It's called the 10d Finisher action if someone has the link handy... Try running that on the images and see what happens.

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 24-70 f2.8 L IS

07/03/2005 11:18:28 AM · #11

It's hard to tell what the problem might be, without seeing it at 100% magnification. Guessing, since the skyline taken with the most ambient light seems crispest, that camera shake might still be a problem here. Was a remote release used? How sturdy was the tripod? At what focal length (35mm equivalent) was it taken?
As far as noise, you're correct to be shooting at ISO 100. You should "expose to the right," that is, you should expose until the highlights are at the right of the histogram. The photo may be lighter tnan you intend, but you can bring it back down in post. This will result in the minimum noise. Whatever you do, don't underexpose and bring it up in post. that will really accentuate noise.
If your camera has internal "dark frame" noise reduction, use that. You also might consider taking multiple exposures (try four to start) and stacking them in PS. Just put them on separate layers, and set the layer opacity as follows:

Bottom layer: 100%
2nd from bottom: 50%
2nd from top: 33%
top layer: 25%

If you have more images than four, just continue this series.
Now compare a single shot with the layered image. There will be only 1/2 the random noise in the processed image. Detail often improves as well.

Message edited by author 2005-07-03 11:19:04.

slim

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

07/03/2005 12:10:17 PM · #12

Shot this from Mt Adams. f4, 4 sec, ISO-100, no post processing. I'll be out there tonight as well for the fireworks, camera in hand.

Nikon D200

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

07/03/2005 12:17:28 PM · #13

Shot this at f/2.8, ISO 100, with a shutter speed of 1 sec, also with a Sony. Everything was in focus, and on the original you can zoom in and see people embracing under the bridge. I'd say your scene is within range for your camera, but you might suffer from camera shake as you depress the shutter button. I used the self-timer and a tripod and there was no wind that night.

07/03/2005 12:52:32 PM · #14

Originally posted by jpeters:

Cool! I was in a blue Ford Escape, sitting in the parking lot there for a few hours listening to the ball game and jumping out once in awhile as the light changed to take shots. I left just as the ballgame ended about 10:00.