Night photography

[dhdev]

Hi I'm planning on going out tonight to practice with my 1000d and I was hoping for some suggestions on settings as I'm a complete beginner! I'll be using the kit lens (18-55) and a tripod, I don't have a remote shutter release unfortunately.

The shots I'm looking to get are:-
1. The traditional light trail motorway shots
2. Illuminated buildings (local church), possibly cranes at the docks
3. Car under streetlights/car park lighting

Any suggestions/advice is welcome.

 

[Sarin]

I don't know about any suggestions of what to photograph but here's a pointer on some settings.

1. If you're dealing with street lights then set the white balance to tungsten or flourescent to stop that horrible yellow / orange glow.

2. Put the camera into timer mode (i use 10 seconds but whatever your camera has) this way you won't get any shake. How i want a shutter release!

Other than that it's just a case of playing with the aperature settings to see what works. Chances are that you'll be getting an exposure of between 2 and 30 seconds. I normally set to f/8 or f/11 and let the camera decide the shutter speed but each to their own.

 

[gazedd]

for long exposures, Keep you ISO to 100, Try and get a remote control and set the camera into BULB.

 

[MasterChief]

don't forget to use mirror lockup, it's in the custom functions settings. Will reduce camera shake by pulling up the mirror before opening the shutter.

 

[..MD..]

turn off your " is "

md


if your going to use your 18-55 is

 

[dhdev]

I don't know about any suggestions of what to photograph but here's a pointer on some settings.

1. If you're dealing with street lights then set the white balance to tungsten or flourescent to stop that horrible yellow / orange glow.

2. Put the camera into timer mode (i use 10 seconds but whatever your camera has) this way you won't get any shake. How i want a shutter release!

Other than that it's just a case of playing with the aperature settings to see what works. Chances are that you'll be getting an exposure of between 2 and 30 seconds. I normally set to f/8 or f/11 and let the camera decide the shutter speed but each to their own.

Thanks, I'll definately try changing the WB, something I haven't adjusted before!

for long exposures, Keep you ISO to 100, Try and get a remote control and set the camera into BULB.

I do plan to get a remote, just haven't got round to it yet. Are the cheap hong kong ebay ones ok?

don't forget to use mirror lockup, it's in the custom functions settings. Will reduce camera shake by pulling up the mirror before opening the shutter.

Thanks for the tip, I've just checked the manual and it has told me that there is a 2sec self timer with built in mirror lock

turn off your " is "

md


if your going to use your 18-55 is

Will do!

Thankyou all!

 

[Forbiddenbiker]

Use the incandescent WB setting to help correct for yellow/orange light.

When you do light streaming lights, Don't aim your camera directly into oncoming headlights, or any other lights, they'll just blow it all out on a long exposure.

Softly press your shutter and softly remove you finger afterwards to help with camera shake ... I wouldn't worry too much about mirror lock up on a long exposure myself but it ain't gonna hurt either.

 

[RKC]

I do plan to get a remote, just haven't got round to it yet. Are the cheap hong kong ebay ones ok?

i ordered one 24dec recieved 5jan £17
wireless doubles as wired aswell, no problems at very happy with it