stansgrl63 Loc: Pascagoula MS

Here are the photos.....

gessman Loc: Colorado

I pulled in the best of the three, the 2nd one and did a few adjustments and I don't think it's as bad as you seem to think. Something was sure causing your camera to move around on the other two. I did a little reading on your camera and I'm not finding a setting that is designed to allow you to take real good night shots. The "night" setting, as I'm sure you know, fires the flash and keeps the shutter open a little longer but frankly, I don't think the shutter is staying open quite long enough. I do think it would probably do better if you didn't have that one bright light right in the front of the camera. May I suggest that you go to something like maybe a strip center where the light is a little more even from several sources rather than just one and when you set the camera up get back far enough so you can frame the buildings in the top third of the frame which should cause the meter to read on the sidewalk or perhaps the street in front of the buildings which might give you a better reading.

After looking at the manual for your camera, I'm not convinced that you will ever have the type of success you've expressed an interest in with that camera. The camera you have has a lot of good features on it but it really isn't set up for those special shots that you'd probably like to be getting. You may have to upgrade your camera to achieve the kind of improvement you're after. Still, I should think that in good lighting situations you should be getting some pretty good shots. Don't disparage yourself because of the limitations of this particular camera. I'm convinced that with the interest you have that with a bit more camera you would probably see a lot of improvement in the things you shoot.

This could be cropped differently but I like the building setting back a ways.

stansgrl63 Loc: Pascagoula MS

Thank you gessman....as soon as I am able I will be definitely be buying a dslr. By the way just a little info on this building....It was supposedly built in 1927, and it is registered with Ms Archives and History. It's amazing it's still standing after Hurricane Katrina!

gessman Loc: Colorado

In the meantime, don't get discouraged. Just take advantage of the time and do a lot of reading online about the basics and when you get that dslr you can hit the ground running. I hear you about the building. Katrina sure took a toll and could have taken that building too. I spent some time at Keesler AFB in Biloxi and have been to Pascagoula a couple of times. It was definitely in harms way.

stansgrl63 Loc: Pascagoula MS

Yes it was.....but we are rebuilding and it is so much prettier now! I'll try not to get discouraged......with a deep sigh! LOL

DanielB Loc: San Diego, Ca

I would like to show some examples of night shots with specifics so you can get an idea for settings. Not sure what your shooting with - I hope this helps. Shot #1 Taos New Mexico - Full moon, Tripod, Bulb mode, 12 sec exp, f5.6, ISO 200. #2 San Diego Bay from the back of a boat looking at the USS Midway Museum. Hand held, 1/4 sec., ISO 3200, f5. (Click on "Download" to see larger versions)

Taos, NM


San Diego Bay

stansgrl63 Loc: Pascagoula MS

Shooting with a p and s camera.....

gessman Loc: Colorado

Those are very nice shots Daniel. stansgrl is shooting with a 6 mpx HP point & shoot with a max shutter speed time of 2 seconds and no manual settings. She's very limited in her capability with that camera. Probably isn't going to be able to get real good night shots.

stansgrl63 Loc: Pascagoula MS

I am still going to try it again.....I never give up, get aggravated.....but I never give up.

DanielB Loc: San Diego, Ca

Got it! Thanks for the compliments and stansgrl keep shooting and if you love shooting photos them maybe sometime you'll be able to upgrade the camera. Keep posting.

gessman Loc: Colorado

Good! I'm with you on that.

ThomasS Loc: Colorado

Don't sell your P&S camera short. If you take your time, you can get some nice night shots.

Kodak Z812 IS, 8 sec, f2.8, ISO 68, camera sitting on a window ledge


Kodak Z812 IS, 1/30 sec, f3.2, ISO 400, handheld and they were moving

stansgrl63 Loc: Pascagoula MS

Thank you Daniel!

gessman Loc: Colorado

Thomas, would be so kind as to share with us the exif data on those two shots? Thank you friend. Oh, and the equipment you used.

gessman Loc: Colorado

I just saw the data on the shots. Must've been being put up there while I was typing my question for you. You see, your top shot, the city scene was shot at 8 seconds and stansgrl's camera will only stay open for a max 2 seconds. She would only get a badly underexposed shot. I'm not trying to discourage or disappoint her but on the contrary, I'm simply trying to make her aware of the limitations of her camera at night so she won't frustrate herself any more trying to get real good night shots. Besides that, last time I was in Pascagoula at night, it didn't look like that - not near that much light. The dancers are another matter and she might well be able to get that shot but I don't think she'll be able to get that first one.