Newbie in night photography

[cpark188]

Always meddle with my toy at home and kept reading about clubsnap. Just to take a step forward and alone outing to night spot to learn how to shoot night photography. Hope to receive comments to improve my skill. Thanks for C&C welcome.
Camera: Olympus E-500 with 14-45mm kit len.
#1 Bukit Batok swimming pool.

#2 Boat Quay

#3 Clarke Quay

#4 Read Brigde.


Hope you enjoy viewing.

[cpark188]

OMG.No one comments, not sure whether I'm in the right path of photography.LOL Anyway thanks for the few who C&C.

[night86mare]

exposure is pretty good, considering you are new, and looks like you have been going the right path, probably low iso, proper f-stop and adjust manually to compensate for hte inaccurate metering, with tripod being used. although cannot really tell for sure at such sizes.

a few points:

1) the pictures are absolutely oversharpened., in particular #1 and #2

2) work on your composition, make sure every element included in the picture contributes to it positively, make sure that elements that do so are not cut off improperly, like in the last one

3) timing is everything when it comes to night shots, for example, #1 is so much nicer than the rest, that should give you a clue about what sort of timing you should be shooting.

happy shooting, hope to see more soon, if you want me to go into detail for every picture, just say so, i just threw in some rudimentary comments.

[cpark188]

Originally Posted by night86mare exposure is pretty good, considering you are new, and looks like you have been going the right path, probably low iso, proper f-stop and adjust manually to compensate for hte inaccurate metering, with tripod being used. although cannot really tell for sure at such sizes. a few points: 1) the pictures are absolutely oversharpened., in particular #1 and #2 2) work on your composition, make sure every element included in the picture contributes to it positively, make sure that elements that do so are not cut off improperly, like in the last one 3) timing is everything when it comes to night shots, for example, #1 is so much nicer than the rest, that should give you a clue about what sort of timing you should be shooting. happy shooting, hope to see more soon, if you want me to go into detail for every picture, just say so, i just threw in some rudimentary comments.

Hi Night86mare,

Thanks for dropping by to guide me along and sorry for time taken up.
Pictures #1 and #2 indeed heavily sharpened on the pixel.( can't hide from you.)
Well usually, with my newbie thought was to give every pictures with shape image, not knowing whether exposure is collect, still will meddle it with pp. ( will take note of this.)

Most of my night shot's background does not show the blueish color which I saw many shooters here achieved, have try out but not very optimistic I'll get that color.

Anyway, thanks bro, will take your words and tryout again.

[Qazwer]

I feel that the cropping (composition) of your shots are too tight. Not much "breathing space". Many buildings and structures are cropped away.

#1 is so far the best of the series.

Timing of night shots aside, did you expose them long enough? I feel that the building are still a little dim, or just my monitor? And watch your sharpening.

[night86mare]

Originally Posted by cpark188 Most of my night shot's background does not show the blueish color which I saw many shooters here achieved, have try out but not very optimistic I'll get that color. Anyway, thanks bro, will take your words and tryout again.

this is a matter of timing, rather than camera skill or what..

shortly after #1 is when you will get the blue hour, in the morning before the sunrise also, will get a short period.

if you are too late, then you will only get blackish/yellowish skies, which are inherent in the rest of your pictures. which is why timing is very important.

also, white balance can play a part in bringing out the blue. try shooting in TUNGSTEN white balance the next time you shoot, after the sun goes down, it can give you very nice bluish skies, if the conditions are right.

[shunzi]

hi TS,

you do need to understand composition and the right angel before you can go on and yes timing as night86mare point out to you. you live near the swimming pool?

[cpark188]

Originally Posted by Qazwer I feel that the cropping (composition) of your shots are too tight. Not much "breathing space". Many buildings and structures are cropped away. #1 is so far the best of the series. Timing of night shots aside, did you expose them long enough? I feel that the building are still a little dim, or just my monitor? And watch your sharpening.

Hi Qazwer,
Yeah.. need to understand the composition before cropping, will take note.

Originally Posted by night86mare this is a matter of timing, rather than camera skill or what. shortly after #1 is when you will get the blue hour, in the morning before the sunrise also, will get a short period. if you are too late, then you will only get blackish/yellowish skies, which are inherent in the rest of your pictures. which is why timing is very important. also, white balance can play a part in bringing out the blue. try shooting in TUNGSTEN white balance the next time you shoot, after the sun goes down, it can give you very nice bluish skies, if the conditions are right.

Hi Night86mare,
I always used WB in auto mode, and will try shooting Tungsten mode. Thanks

Originally Posted by shunzi hi TS, you do need to understand composition and the right angel before you can go on and yes timing as night86mare point out to you. you live near the swimming pool?

Hi Shunzi, thanks for dropping by, take note of your advise. Yeah, staying the block opposite the swimming complex.