PRACTICE NIGHT SHOTS. THANKS SCALE RAIL

Good shots! You can do a lot of amazing stuff with an SLR...I love mine!

Nick...really like your shots.  Here is one of a night time scene along the harbor on my layout....

 

Alan

 

 

 

 

Nick, thanks for the inspiration - wonderful scenes you have created!  It even motivated me to pull out the old Panasonic and give it a go. - Steve

Depending on your camera,  there should be a Mirror Lock up function under custom settings.  This will lock the mirror so just the shutter opens when you take the picture.  It helps stabilize the shot with less shaking from the mirror movement when taking the picture.

Additionally the wider the aperture the shallower your depth of field.  If you crank down the aperture tight, the longer exposure times will cause lights to have a star effect.

Thanks TMack,  I have a long way to go before I get top notch photos, but it is fun.

Dont forget to turn off the mirror lock up when you are done.  You can damage the shutter in bright sunlight if you leave your lens cap off with the mirro in the lock up position.

Which camera do you have? 

I am using a Canon SD790 IS digital.  I am just looking through the book for turning the mirror off.  The camera is a few years old but still up to date on the options.  Thanks for all the info, I just discovered the micro photos on it.  I will post photos in a few days of weathered siding that I did on a bldg.  Nick 

The SD790 is mirror less its not a function on that camera. Look through the manual and see if you can control ISO, Shutter, and aperture. Probably on that camera it will only let you control one and the computer in the camera will adjust the other two. You need a tripod.

I shot this a few days ago. Going for the eerie look

 

 

Nice work, guys.  Love those nighttime shots.  As cool as watching the real thing at night.

Ron

t8afao....

That "blue" look is the actual light emitting from the black light.  It does give it a moonlight effect!!

 

Thanks,

Alan

Guys and gals, you can thank the enormous advances in digital camera sensor technology for being able to now capture relatively "clean" images in low light with increasingly high ISO settings.  As recently as 4-5 years ago, NONE of this was possible in the digital domain without employing special techniques.  Nowadays, it's much more straightforward, and more photo enthusiasts have the opportunity to capture images that were once strictly limited to the world of professional photographers.

 

David

Important "special techniques" - Tripod, aperture priority, self-timer.  SLR helps but not necessary.  Point'n'shoot superzoom pic, Leica lens:

 

 

Pete

Thanks for all the useful info and photos. Lots of nice work you guys have posted.  I do need a tripod and a lot more practice.  My was looking at my photos and said they look fuzzy.  I told her no its just your eyes.  Thanks again, luv this forum.  Nick