Any photographers in here?

[ChopstickHero]

What is the best way to shoot at night besides a tripod? Any tips or tricks when shooting? I can't get nice shots... If you shoot in manual, do you turn your aperture all the way up (less depth of field)?

Thanks!

Switch to Tv mode (shutter mode), use a tripod.

Depending on amount of light available, you should keep your ISO low around 100 or 200. The higher the ISO, the more noise or grain in the picture. So keep it low. Have a slower shutter speed. Again, it will take a few shots to get what you want, so test it out.

 

[BeNegative]

if u can find a wall or railing high enough...rest the camera on that and click away trying not to move the camera at all or blurrooorama! good luck.

funny u ask that...on sunday, driving home, I almost ran over this girl becaus she was sticking out on the road, in the dark, wearing dark clothes w/ a tri-pod and camera on top talking on her cell phone. i shoulda stuck my hand out and grabbed it LOL! peas!

What is the best way to shoot at night besides a tripod? Any tips or tricks when shooting? I can't get nice shots... If you shoot in manual, do you turn your aperture all the way up (less depth of field)?

Thanks!

 

[L8R]

Lol, thanks guys.

Tv mode - I'll remember that. Im usually on full manual. Also, is 400 ISO speed a good number to shoot at? Or is it still too grainy? I know this might be lame, but would anyone suggest a remote control to take the pic to avoid shaking the body?

Thanks again.

 

[UnNaturalinc]

Tripod..... ALWAYS at night.


check it
http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2424216#post2424216

 

[Jliao]

Lol, thanks guys.

Tv mode - I'll remember that. Im usually on full manual. Also, is 400 ISO speed a good number to shoot at? Or is it still too grainy? I know this might be lame, but would anyone suggest a remote control to take the pic to avoid shaking the body?

Thanks again.

Remote will always helps, especially doing astronomical (not sure if this is the right word) shooting.

ISO is not so much of speed, but rather the "sensitivity" to light. The higher the ISO, the more sensitive the censor is to the light and vice versa. However, keep in mind that higher the ISO, there will more dusts/grains (however you call it). So, play around to suit the situation.

 

[UnNaturalinc]

I just got a wireless remote last night... It's small, but what kinda sucks is that it's got buttons for other cameras. I use two out of like the 9 (?) buttons on it. Kind of a waste of space. You can't zoom w/ the Canon either (not that I can see a reason I'd need to remotely zoom).

I have a wired one if anyone wants that thing for like $10. They're super cheap on ebay.

 

[ChopstickHero]

Lol, thanks guys.

Tv mode - I'll remember that. Im usually on full manual. Also, is 400 ISO speed a good number to shoot at? Or is it still too grainy? I know this might be lame, but would anyone suggest a remote control to take the pic to avoid shaking the body?

Thanks again.

Full manual is good too. but you have to watch your other settings to get the right exposure. I suggest shooting in RAW mode so that you can adjust your picture to get what you want during post-processing.

If i'm outdoors and it's nice and sunny, i usually shoot ISO 100. If it's cloudy, ISO 200 or 400. Indoors i usually shoot 400 or 800 depending on available light. Getting a faster lens (anything lower than f2.8) will help because the aperture is larger, allowing more light to get into the lens. That means you don't have to bump your up your ISO or have longer shutter speeds as much.

here's a wired remote made for the Rebel XT: http://www.audio-discounters.com/rs-60e3.html

here's a wireless remote switch:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/ (commissions earned)

 

[ChopstickHero]

Here's an example of ISO 400 during a bright sunny day. Keep in mind I was still learning how to use the camera at this time. Shot at 18mm f/14 1/500s:

You can see how ISO (light sensitivity) can affect picture quality. Everything is basically oversaturated. The shadows are too saturated and dark, the sky is oversaturated blue, and the car is way too blue. I shot this in JPG too, so I can only adjust so much in Photoshop. The only thing I like about this picture is the composition. The electrical tower adds an interesting view and shows some scale of the car.

Now here's an example of ISO 100. Lighting conditions about the same, bright and sunny. Shot at 18mm f8 1/400s.

As you can see, the colors are not saturated and the exposure is pretty much spot on. I shot this in RAW mode, but did very little post-processing to finish the photo. The colors are still vibrant and the contrast is not overwhelming.

 

[L8R]

Nice pictures and tips guys. Thanks! I only shoot in RAW, unless I need a quick shot, I just go full auto.

Thanks again. Kinda sucks that it is super windy here right now, so to practice night shots right now would turn out crappy.

 

[altspace]

A ton of pics of PA.

http://www.altspace.com/photos/PA/

 

[jersey_emt]

What is the best way to shoot at night besides a tripod? Any tips or tricks when shooting? I can't get nice shots... If you shoot in manual, do you turn your aperture all the way up (less depth of field)?

Thanks!

Tripod is a must at night. Even during the day I'd recommend it. A good, sturdy tripod will improve the quality of your photos dramatically.

There are three things to look for in a tripod: sturdiness, light weight, and low cost. Unfortunately, you can only have two out of three. If you want a sturdy tripod, you're pretty much stuck with one that's relatively cheap but heavy, or one that's expensive but light. I'm probably going to upgrade soon to a CF tripod; I expect to plunk down at least $400. My current tripod cost a hair over $200; it's worth every penny but it's a little bit heavy.

 

[UnNaturalinc]

That's one thing I don't have.... Is a good tripod. The one I have now is the one that came w/ my first video camera like 5 years ago.

 

[ChopstickHero]

Tripod is a must at night. Even during the day I'd recommend it. A good, sturdy tripod will improve the quality of your photos dramatically.

There are three things to look for in a tripod: sturdiness, light weight, and low cost. Unfortunately, you can only have two out of three. If you want a sturdy tripod, you're pretty much stuck with one that's relatively cheap but heavy, or one that's expensive but light. I'm probably going to upgrade soon to a CF tripod; I expect to plunk down at least $400. My current tripod cost a hair over $200; it's worth every penny but it's a little bit heavy.

i don't use my tripod enough to upgrade it. i haven't shopped for a new lightweight tripod, so i'm not sure how they compare to my tripod right now. i assume that mine is heavy, since it's made of probably brushed aluminum.

i've seen tripods made of basalt... volcanic rock. it's apparently very light weight and very strong. and it's environmentally friendly. haha

 

[chuyler1]

I've got an old video camera tripod...it's a little wobbly but I just use the 2-second delay option on my digital camera, press the button, then remove my hands. It's not something I carry around though...since it's pretty bulky and designed for one of those old-skool VHS camcorders.

 

[jersey_emt]

i don't use my tripod enough to upgrade it. i haven't shopped for a new lightweight tripod, so i'm not sure how they compare to my tripod right now. i assume that mine is heavy, since it's made of probably brushed aluminum.

i've seen tripods made of basalt... volcanic rock. it's apparently very light weight and very strong. and it's environmentally friendly. haha

What kind of tripod do you have? When I had a cheap one, I hardly ever used it either. It was a pain to work with. When I got my Bogen, I started using it a lot more, and the technical quality of my photography has been better even since.

 

[ChopstickHero]

What kind of tripod do you have? When I had a cheap one, I hardly ever used it either. It was a pain to work with. When I got my Bogen, I started using it a lot more, and the technical quality of my photography has been better even since.

it's OLD. it was my grandfather's. it's a Kenlock 1500 GL. you've probably never even heard of it. it's an old european/asia brand. I don't they are even in existence anymore. I don't take my tripod out very much, so i really never saw a reason to upgrade. also found i don't shoot much in the dark where i need a tripod.

 

[Jliao]

Gitzo CF tripod + RRS Ball head with quick release = Best combination ever!

 

[ChopstickHero]

Gitzo CF tripod + RRS Ball head with quick release = Best combination ever!

That's cool.


Does anybody use a monopod?

 

[Prodigy]

Does anybody use a monopod?

yes, my knee.

 

[ChopstickHero]

yes, my knee.

nice! free! how do you get those shots that are from a higher angle?