gener202002

Hello

Since a photo class I took as a kid, I have always wanted to get a picture like this. Unfortunately, I was not able to get a picture that was excellent, yet I was at least able to modify this picture until I got something I really liked, and am sharing it now. Soon I hope to add several pictures taken in Boise. I also took pictures in McCall, Idaho, which is an absolutely gorgeous resort area in the mountains, but almost none came out adequately, and I ran out of disk space in my memory chip as well. I was very,very disappointed with that. But anyway, here is a twilight picture looking down Capitol Blvd in Boise, Idaho. This is a very popular place to take pictures in Boise.

More detail when come out with the download.

(Download)

BlueMorel Loc: Southwest Michigan

Boy, Boise looks more built up than last time I was there in the mid-1970's! Nice view of the Capitol lights. It would be helpful if you could tell what aspect of the photos disappoint you and what camera, settings, lenses you used. Those of us who don't know much benefit from the critiques of those more knowledgeable .

gener202002

Thank you.

As far as being knowledgeable, I am only to a certain point. I shoot mostly to place in stock agencies, and they don't accept pictures that are highly processed. So I never needed to learn too much. The reason I am disappointed is that in twilight I was not able to get a really quality in focus picture. The lack of focus is not that noticeable on the average sized picture. It is only when you blow it up that you really see the lack of focus. The picture of my childhood photo teacher was taken as a very long exposure in which the taillights of the cars were just a long red streak, and the cars coming forward had lights that appeared just as a long line of white light. I loved the picture. Now, though, much of the street is one way so it is impossible to get exactly that. My problem was that I didn't know any way to take a long term exposure like that. The shutter speed in the picture was perhaps half a second or more, so that even though it was on a tripod there was some focus problems. My camera also does not seem to be really good at focusing in on pictures that have significant distances on them. I use a Canon Ti3 rebel, a line that has been discontinued, and I got it at a super huge discount. I hope to get a Nikon (or Canon) soon with 24.2 megapixel capability. It may make a slight difference in the quality of my photos.

As far as Boise's size, I grew up there when the city was only 25,000 people. Now the greater area I believe is 650,000 and it is the 99th largest city in the U.S. Every year I go there it is more grown up and more beautiful. I think it is the most progressive city I have ever been in. The area is concerned one of the best places to live in the U.S. and its economy is even better than the rest of the country. I would love to move back there. The Boise State football program is one of the most successful of any university in the country. When I was a kid it was a junior college. Now they are often in the top 25 colleges in the country in FBS. They lost weekend before last to Oklahoma State which was considered an upset, but they usually win the Mountain West Conference, and have consistently beat PAC 12 teams. Well enough of that. The city does keep growing though. And yet stays beautiful.

gener202002

Whoops, I meant Canon T3i.

SonyBug

It looks like you have a little camera movement. So to sharpen it, use a tripod, put the mirror up, use a remote release. Good luck.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Nice night shot.

Al Beatty Loc: Boise, Idaho

Recently on a TV business channel, Boise was identified as the fastest growing city in the US. My wife is a native and we've lived here for the past 16 years. In that time it has really grown and changed. Whether that change is good or bad is a matter of opinion. Take care & ...

gener202002

Yeah, there was a little camera movement even though it was on a tripod. I think you are right about using a remote shutter release, because even on a tripod pushing the shutter button down can create slight movement even on the tripod.

Thanks

Unclehoss

I have fought with my T3i and the lack of what I considered to be quality images. I have recently bit the bullet and bought a Canon L series lens and what a difference. I don't know that you have to give up on your camera body but rather upgrade on your lens. As far as focus for a dark image goes, if you are doing a landscape/cityscape such as this, turn off the manual focus, pinch the aperture down to the smallest your lens offers, manual focus to infinity, set ISO to a moderate choice; clarity can suffer at extremes. The only thing left is shutter speed and you can experiment with that until you get the image you are looking for. I bet a 30 to 40 second exposure on a clear night will include some starlight in the sky line.

gener202002

Okay, thanks, that is some good advice. Hopefully I will be ready the next time I go to Boise.