Famous Boat House Row: This is the last shot I took in 2018. It was cold and very windy, but we decided to make the trek to capture this shot. 70mm@ f 5:13 sec- ISO 350. I think when I...

Einreb92 Loc: Philadelphia

This is the last shot I took in 2018. It was cold and very windy, but we decided to make the trek to capture this shot. 70mm@ f 5:13 sec- ISO 350. I think when I do it again, I might try an ND filter to better control the brightness of the white lights. Or should I have dropped the ISO? What say ye about that concept? Please enjoy the download. Happy new year to my UHH buddies!

(Download)

JimRPhoto Loc: Raleigh NC

I believe if you were to have used a ND filter, it would have darkened everything, not just the lights. My Olympus camera has two different methods I would try, if you have either of these: (1) a built in HDR feature which takes multiple exposures (even handheld) and then combines them for the best image, or (2) that same camera has a feature where you can adjust highlights or shadows (up or down on either) before you take the photo. Barring those in-camera features you could always try reducing the highlights in Photoshop or Photoshop Elements. Good luck. I think it is a very nice photo and the suggestions would provide some incremental enhancements to it. JimR

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Very nice shot, Bernie!

SueScott Loc: Hammondsville, Ohio

We drove past those boathouses several years ago when in Philadelphia for a PCRT conference and at the time I wished I had had a camera with me. Thanks for the memory!

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

I love this, Bernie. An island of color in a pool of darkness! The composition is very appealing.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Such an attractive scene!

Here's one article to help you understand the purpose of neutral density filters. As Jim said, it would have merely darkened the entire scene equally (the same result as if you'd just used aperture, shutter speed or ISO to make a darker image than the one posted:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/hands-on-review/a-guide-to-neutral-density-filters

Your question about ISO reveals a need to study the properties of exposure. ISO is just a part of overall exposure and will do nothing to alleviate blown whites. The ISO number by itself is only meaningful regarding digital noise (grain), and when you have a camera that produces better quality if ISO is not high. Yours was a good number, just like good cholesterol

Regarding those pesky white lights, here is another article on what you were up against: dynamic range
https://digital-photography-school.com/understanding-dynamic-range-photography/
A camera's inability to capture extremes of dark and light while retaining details is why people use HDR - blending several exposures.

You did very well for being inexperienced with night time shooting! There are a few pp tricks, as folks have suggested, if the whitest lights are bothersome for you.

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

Einreb92 wrote:

This is the last shot I took in 2018. It was cold and very windy, but we decided to make the trek to capture this shot. 70mm@ f 5:13 sec- ISO 350. I think when I do it again, I might try an ND filter to better control the brightness of the white lights. Or should I have dropped the ISO? What say ye about that concept? Please enjoy the download. Happy new year to my UHH buddies!

IMHO your picture is spot - on. I don't see the white lights as blown - that is how they would have looked at the time I'm sure. You have replicated the inky dark night sky perfectly. It is a masterful capture.

traderjohn Loc: New York City

Delderby wrote:

IMHO your picture is spot - on. I don't see the white lights as blown - that is how they would have looked at the time I'm sure. You have replicated the inky dark night sky perfectly. It is a masterful capture.

photophile Loc: Lakewood, Ohio, USA

Einreb92 wrote:

This is the last shot I took in 2018. It was cold and very windy, but we decided to make the trek to capture this shot. 70mm@ f 5:13 sec- ISO 350. I think when I do it again, I might try an ND filter to better control the brightness of the white lights. Or should I have dropped the ISO? What say ye about that concept? Please enjoy the download. Happy new year to my UHH buddies!

Very attractive night scene Bernie!

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

"IMHO your picture is spot - on. I don't see the white lights as blown - that is how they would have looked at the time I'm sure."

In full agreement.

NJFrank Loc: New Jersey

I like this shot. I think the white lights add so pop to the image. No artificial lighting is ever uniform. So go with the flow.

BassmanBruce Loc: Middle of the Mitten

Hi Bernie, I’m in agreement with everyone else, your shot is a winner as is.
Along with the PP and HDR advise, if it were me I would also try going back in early twilight and shootin as the daylight dissapears into total dark.
Happy New Year!

Einreb92 Loc: Philadelphia

JimRPhoto wrote:

I believe if you were to have used a ND filter, it... (show quote)

Thanks for the info, Jim. My thinking was although the ND would darken everything, with other corrections, I might have been better able to control the flare and boost levels in pp. The most informative was your suggestion about HDR (I have never used this setting, but agree, it would probably have been the right tool for what I was trying to do. Thanks for looking in!

Einreb92 Loc: Philadelphia

UTMike wrote:

Very nice shot, Bernie!

Thanks Mike! I went by last night and realized the colors I captured were for the holidays. They are all white now! I’m going back and try again!

Einreb92 Loc: Philadelphia

SueScott wrote:

We drove past those boathouses several years ago when in Philadelphia for a PCRT conference and at the time I wished I had had a camera with me. Thanks for the memory!

So glad you like the shot. They are certainly iconic, in a city with many notable locations. Happy new year!