My first picture

[RobinYip]

tested on raffles city, any idea how can i improve on taking night shots or take note?

[centurion_sg]

Could you describe what you wanted to achieve in this photo? What did you want the audience to focus on?

Originally Posted by RobinYip tested on raffles city, any idea how can i improve on taking night shots or take note?

[Redsun]

Pic is too small
If you wanted to frame the whole xmas tree,framing it vertically would be a good idea
right now theres too much empty space on the left and right
and its tilted

[RobinYip]

Originally Posted by centurion_sg Could you describe what you wanted to achieve in this photo? What did you want the audience to focus on?

i took this picture using my camera's nightmode function...wondering how can i improve the picture by manual settings?

[stjustin]

Originally Posted by RobinYip i took this picture using my camera's nightmode function...wondering how can i improve the picture by manual settings?

use a tripod, find a better viewing point eg the tip or bottom of the tree,
use manual F11-F32 then iso 100...shutter mabe bulb mode?

[nikonaugust]

I think this pic look a bit messy, look like just a snap shot when you pass by. haha
keep on shooting

[RobinYip]

Originally Posted by nikonaugust I think this pic look a bit messy, look like just a snap shot when you pass by. haha keep on shooting

yup took it when passing by, but main concern for me is how do i improve on taking nightshots here...

[Buggy]

Originally Posted by RobinYip tested on raffles city, any idea how can i improve on taking night shots or take note?

Hi.

firstly, looks like you're using a Samsung S630 here. nothing's wrong with this camera not to worry.

if i'm not wrong, your camera should have several modes like auto, program, manual, night... etc. imo, using night scene mode isn't a wrong option anyway to achieve a good nightshot. okay, let's analyze your photo.

technical:
1. shutter speed -> 1/5sec
- may have caused a little blur due to handshake (if it's taken handheld), as it's quite slow even with image stabilizer

2. aperture -> f3
- nothing wrong with it just to get a correct exposure

3. ISO (light sensitivity) -> ISO80
- less noise as compared to higher iso settings. good. (set by camera)

ways to improve:
take into account with what others commented.
- vertically framing would be ideal to prevent distraction
- use of tripod or putting the camera on stable support so that the photo won't turn out blur
- use of manual settings so as to achieve better control of your camera (by adjusting the desired shutter speed so as to get a sharp photo)
- creative exposure (for example, light trails) with slower shutter speed by adjusting the aperture (on wide, i think your camera can only go up to f7.1, if i'm not wrong)
- by approaching the object from different perspective, it would've brought lesser distractions (in the case of your photo, the tree branches covering the Raffles City logo, the traffic light and some of the lamp posts would've been quite a distraction for your subject)
- christmas tree is slightly tilted, nobody wants that don't we?

just a guess, i think you did fired flash right? okay anyway i may be wrong. but just in case, flash is not needed for this case as it can't reach the subject.

hope i've cleared your doubts regarding how to improve your nightshoots. cheers

[RobinYip]

Originally Posted by Buggy Hi. firstly, looks like you're using a Samsung S630 here. nothing's wrong with this camera not to worry. if i'm not wrong, your camera should have several modes like auto, program, manual, night... etc. imo, using night scene mode isn't a wrong option anyway to achieve a good nightshot. okay, let's analyze your photo. technical: 1. shutter speed -> 1/5sec - may have caused a little blur due to handshake (if it's taken handheld), as it's quite slow even with image stabilizer 2. aperture -> f3 - nothing wrong with it just to get a correct exposure 3. ISO (light sensitivity) -> ISO80 - less noise as compared to higher iso settings. good. (set by camera) ways to improve: take into account with what others commented. - vertically framing would be ideal to prevent distraction - use of tripod or putting the camera on stable support so that the photo won't turn out blur - use of manual settings so as to achieve better control of your camera (by adjusting the desired shutter speed so as to get a sharp photo) - creative exposure (for example, light trails) with slower shutter speed by adjusting the aperture (on wide, i think your camera can only go up to f7.1, if i'm not wrong) - by approaching the object from different perspective, it would've brought lesser distractions (in the case of your photo, the tree branches covering the Raffles City logo, the traffic light and some of the lamp posts would've been quite a distraction for your subject) - christmas tree is slightly tilted, nobody wants that don't we? just a guess, i think you did fired flash right? okay anyway i may be wrong. but just in case, flash is not needed for this case as it can't reach the subject. hope i've cleared your doubts regarding how to improve your nightshoots. cheers

thank kew alot for your reply, so what u mean is do adjust the shutter speed lower? And for the noise level, is it acceptable for a night shot or bad?

[Buggy]

Originally Posted by RobinYip thank kew alot for your reply, so what u mean is do adjust the shutter speed lower? And for the noise level, is it acceptable for a night shot or bad?

noise level, probably the best you can expect out of a normal pns. but it's still at a good level.

as for shutter speed control, maybe the photos below will explain the different effects of it (ah hope you don't mind as it's not a perfect specimen for demonstration )

*side note: take note of the cars on the lower part of the photos.

#1 - Use of Faster Shutter Speed

- as faster shutter allow lesser light to enter your camera, the objects are captured as per seen.

#2 - Use of Slower Shutter Speed

- using slower shutter speed allow more light to enter your camera, causing light trails to appear in the photo.

cheers.

[centurion_sg]

I'll just add a few more points to other folks' advice. The problem with such a scene is the different amounts of light from the tree and its surrounding. One way to overcome this is to frame a specific subject such as the tree and thus simplify the lighting conditions. Alternatively, bracket your shots by taking it at different exposures (vary the shutter speed or vary the aperture), then choose the photo with the better result.

Also, there is an overall orange tinge to the photo which does not allow other colors to stand out. Either adjust the white-balance on the camera or post-process to remove it.

Originally Posted by RobinYip i took this picture using my camera's nightmode function...wondering how can i improve the picture by manual settings?

[RobinYip]

thanks alot for the replies, me need some time to digest .......will be upgrading to a fuji S5700 this weekend...wondering is it worth to spend the $300 + or stick with this samsung cam

[centurion_sg]

Cost of living going up...key question is have you outgrown the capabilities of your camera? What can $300 do to help improve future photos? Could $300 be spent on taking a photography course or other stuff like an overseas photo trip? Anyway if you decide to help boost year end sales, no one's going to complain

Originally Posted by RobinYip thanks alot for the replies, me need some time to digest .......will be upgrading to a fuji S5700 this weekend...wondering is it worth to spend the $300 + or stick with this samsung cam