Night Photography: Went to Zoo Lights in Phoenix AZ. Shooting with a Nikon D300 and 18-270mm Tamron Lens shot with different Apertures and Shutter Speeds and with Flash. My pictures...

llouie

Went to Zoo Lights in Phoenix AZ. Shooting with a Nikon D300 and 18-270mm Tamron Lens shot with different Apertures and Shutter Speeds and with Flash. My pictures were either too dark or too light(with flash) or blurred.
Did not bring my Tripod. What could I have done different?

jimmya Loc: Phoenix

llouie wrote:

Went to Zoo Lights in Phoenix AZ. Shooting with a Nikon D300 and 18-270mm Tamron Lens shot with different Apertures and Shutter Speeds and with Flash. My pictures were either too dark or too light(with flash) or blurred.
Did not bring my Tripod. What could I have done different?

Hey there... I live in Sun City just a note that we're pretty close.

Below is a shot from Glendale in the park, this from a couple of years ago.

Yes, you could have done things differently.

A tripod, at f/10 and your camera's self timer at 10-seconds.
The timer allows the shutter to open without the camera moving (from you pressing the button) which causes blur.
f/10 is probably very close to your lenses sweet spot and will give you the sharpest focus. I wouldn't use any flash in that situation because yes the camera will expose for the flash not the lights you're trying to shoot.

When you set your camera to f/10 in aperture priority the camera will decide how long to hold the shutter open and it will almost always be correct so you should get a much better result.

Good luck

Christmas Lights at f/10, Canon t1i

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Shooting at night, hand held, with a slow lens. A very tough challenge indeed. Forget the flash when shooting lights, it defeats the purpose. Use a faster lens or use a tripod to get the shots you want.

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

llouie wrote:

Went to Zoo Lights in Phoenix AZ. Shooting with a Nikon D300 and 18-270mm Tamron Lens shot with different Apertures and Shutter Speeds and with Flash. My pictures were either too dark or too light(with flash) or blurred.
Did not bring my Tripod. What could I have done different?

You didn't mention what your iso was set at.

jimmya Loc: Phoenix

cjkorb wrote:

You didn't mention what your iso was set at.

If your addressing me... it was 200... sorry.

dragon64 Loc: Stewartstown PA

llouie wrote:

Went to Zoo Lights in Phoenix AZ. Shooting with a Nikon D300 and 18-270mm Tamron Lens shot with different Apertures and Shutter Speeds and with Flash. My pictures were either too dark or too light(with flash) or blurred.
Did not bring my Tripod. What could I have done different?

I try to always use a tripod or monopod when shooting at night. Also a fast lens at f1.8 or faster works best for me if not using a tripod. In the past I have gotten some great pics at night using an f1.4 or F1.2 without a tripod but something to support my position. Older now with those days behind me I always try to remember a tripod or monopod.

llouie

It was se at 6400

llouie

Thanks for the info. Sometimes I get lazy and don't want to carry a Tripod

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

llouie wrote:

Thanks for the info. Sometimes I get lazy and don't want to carry a Tripod

LL, stop bring lazy, or you won't get anything worth keeping, so why shoot at all?
Use a GOOD tripod and drop your ISO to 100.
If there is movement, set your speed to stop it, float your ISO, and use your fastest lens wide open. If that doesn't do it, you don't have the tools for the job.
Good luck. ;-)
SS

amehta Loc: Boston

Use some exposure compensation. You will get very different shots using the camera's base exposure, or shooting at -1, -2, -3 stops. For example, Jimmy's shot is well exposed for the entire scene. At -2, the lights would be more distinct, and the scene itself would be dark. I'm not suggesting that either shot in general is better. But for a particular scene, one or the other could be better, so it's worth giving yourself the option.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

llouie wrote:

What could I have done different?

You could have used a Canon!
Hey, it's worth a try !? :lol:
SS

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

llouie wrote:

It was se at 6400

At 6400 ISO on a D300 you don't have any chance at all of getting a night time shot worth keeping.

amehta Loc: Boston

llouie wrote:

Went to Zoo Lights in Phoenix AZ. Shooting with a Nikon D300 and 18-270mm Tamron Lens shot with different Apertures and Shutter Speeds and with Flash. My pictures were either too dark or too light(with flash) or blurred.
Did not bring my Tripod. What could I have done different?

What do you want to be able to do with these photographs?

The Saint KK4GO Loc: Florida

SharpShooter wrote:

You could have used a Canon!
Hey, it's worth a try !? :lol:
SS

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

llouie

Used a Canon for years. Nikon is far superior with their lenses and camera.