Need tips on night photography
Jan 3, 2012 19:18:51 #
I recently took some night photos of my house with christmas lights. The pictures are clear up to 8x10 but show a lot noise beyond. I used a canon 18-55 canon kit lens settings f11--iso/100--10 sec any ideas
dusk
late night
Jan 3, 2012 20:09:55 #
At 10seconds, you could be getting long exposure noise. Check your manual for your particular camera on how to set the long exposure noise reduction to "On". Just remember, this will double the time it takes for the camera to process the photo.
Jan 3, 2012 20:21:28 #
lot of light shadows from bushes this may help
http://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/night-time-photography-tips/
http://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/night-time-photography-tips/
Jan 4, 2012 06:37:05 #
I would go out a little sooner. Not quite dark and start shooting at different settings. I took some of the house with lights on it this year. I got the best shoot when it was still fairly light out. Think I was at EV-3 for the best ones. This setting didn't let the lights blowout.
Erv
Erv
Jan 4, 2012 06:41:59 #
Forgot a few things. Can you move your lights out from the house? I did this and it tamed down the shadows, also let a little light get to the roof and light it some and I put a piece of cardboard over the light so it didn't show as much in the picture.
Erv
Erv
Jan 4, 2012 09:52:10 #
Jan 4, 2012 17:01:51 #
ronjay wrote:
I recently took some night photos of my house with christmas lights. The pictures are clear up to 8x10 but show a lot noise beyond. I used a canon 18-55 canon kit lens settings f11--iso/100--10 sec any ideas
well I had a pro take some pictures of my house with my little P&S Nikon. Which was on the way out. So they only came out so/so.
Just to note I also own a Canon 60D, put he did not want to use it, because he was giving a class on Christmas photo's and most of the people taking the course used P&S.
I do remenber him using the night setting on the camera, but I did not try and take any with a DSLR, sorry wish I could be more of a help.
Jan 4, 2012 17:09:12 #
Night shooting has it's own set of problems. Here's what I've found, both from research and making lots of mistakes.
1) Don't wait until it's TOO dark. The high contrast of your light source versus the darkness plays havoc with DSLR exposure settings.
2) Use TUNGSTEN white balance, as others have noted.
3) Use MANUAL FOCUSING - your AF will not work well at night. If you have LIVE VIEW, use it and the 5x or 10x magnification it offers.
4) TRIPOD TRIPOD TRIPOD.
5) Remote shutter release, or mirror lock up and timer.
6) Don't go nuts with high ISO - you're not capturing motion(usually) so there's no need for a fast shutter.
7) f/4.5 to f/8 is usually good compromise between DOF and sharpness.
Remember, the light sources will, unless they're shaded, produce some sort of lens flare or starburst, almost invariably. They'll be way out of whack compared to the rest of the scene, so you may have to experiment with exposure to keep things in balance as best you can.
Night is not just 'the absence of daylight' - it's usually punctuated by very intense artificial light sources that have to be reckoned with.
1) Don't wait until it's TOO dark. The high contrast of your light source versus the darkness plays havoc with DSLR exposure settings.
2) Use TUNGSTEN white balance, as others have noted.
3) Use MANUAL FOCUSING - your AF will not work well at night. If you have LIVE VIEW, use it and the 5x or 10x magnification it offers.
4) TRIPOD TRIPOD TRIPOD.
5) Remote shutter release, or mirror lock up and timer.
6) Don't go nuts with high ISO - you're not capturing motion(usually) so there's no need for a fast shutter.
7) f/4.5 to f/8 is usually good compromise between DOF and sharpness.
Remember, the light sources will, unless they're shaded, produce some sort of lens flare or starburst, almost invariably. They'll be way out of whack compared to the rest of the scene, so you may have to experiment with exposure to keep things in balance as best you can.
Night is not just 'the absence of daylight' - it's usually punctuated by very intense artificial light sources that have to be reckoned with.
Jan 4, 2012 17:18:08 #
Ron
If you would like me to post a picture of the house I can. These are not real great was just out playing after the first snow. I am waiting for more snow so it looks nicer. Trying to make a few shoots to make next years Christmas card. Don't want to high jack your tread :).
Erv
If you would like me to post a picture of the house I can. These are not real great was just out playing after the first snow. I am waiting for more snow so it looks nicer. Trying to make a few shoots to make next years Christmas card. Don't want to high jack your tread :).
Erv
Jan 4, 2012 19:05:09 #
Yes you can post your shots. I just shot a few more shhots of my house. will post one. Settings f/7 iso 100 4sec also used tunsten setting. Moved spots back and shot at an earlier time. THANKS RON
Jan 4, 2012 19:16:06 #
It's the house. You'll probably have to move, if that's not practical shorter exposure might help.
Jan 4, 2012 19:26:48 #
Hi Ron
These were taken when it was brighter out than yours. I like to see the detail in the house and the trees.
That picture is a little bit better, but I still can't see the wreaths in the windows. Go out earlier yet and try an other shot. And if you can move the spots even more.
I am waiting for more snow, ha. I send out cards every year with a photo I took. Family enjoys them. I try to do the house a little different every year. I also PP'd your a little if you'd like to see it. Got the wreaths to come out a little. Thats why I think you need to go out earlier.
These were taken when it was brighter out than yours. I like to see the detail in the house and the trees.
That picture is a little bit better, but I still can't see the wreaths in the windows. Go out earlier yet and try an other shot. And if you can move the spots even more.
I am waiting for more snow, ha. I send out cards every year with a photo I took. Family enjoys them. I try to do the house a little different every year. I also PP'd your a little if you'd like to see it. Got the wreaths to come out a little. Thats why I think you need to go out earlier.
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