Taking photos at night

[midnightfxgt]

Hey guys,

I just took some shots of the car tonight. It was in a park that is pitch dark except for a street light. kinda that red/yellow kinda glow. Nothing nice like security lights, or gas stations lol. My problem is the pics show a lot of red. like the red is around the car, but generally the car is ok (some red in the pics). I am using the night portrait mode on a decent camera. The camera is a Nikon Coolpix 885. What setting can I change to help this? Also, the camera has a TON of settings lol, so I would HOPE I can get these better

Thanks guys

-John

[Optimzer]

The ones I took (posted in another post) were done with manual exposure. It took a couple of shots to get a decent look to the pictures but they still came out a little blue imho. Try not to shoot under the yellow street lights - those will definitely add the yellow.

[Optimzer]

here (http://torontomazda3.com/forum/read.php?TID=2543) are the pics

[Ex-Rolla]

Like Optimzer said, you need to manually set your camera (usually to 400ISO to allow th most light possible).

You would need a tripod though, because the slightest movement will cause the pic to go out of focus...

Here\'s an example of a pic i took in Mexico. I did not use a tripod, so you\'ll notice it\'s not as clear.

http://ca.geocities.com/mp3master@rogers.com/104_0489.jpg


(i want to go back :( )

[majic]

Originally posted by Ex-Rolla


Like Optimzer said, you need to manually set your camera (usually to 400ISO to allow th most light possible).

instead of using ISO400 (which will introduce quite some noise to the image) try to keep the shutter open for longer (Tv on Canon cameras)

same object (taken 1minute apart at 10PM) during my recent trip to killarney. i used a tripod for a clearer image

auto ISO (usually 50-100) couldn\'t tell form img properties. shutter speed 1sec
http://xs37.xs.to/pics/05286/IMG_1179.jpg

auto ISO (usually 50-100) couldn\'t tell form img properties. shutter speed 15sec
http://xs37.xs.to/pics/05286/IMG_1180.jpg

HUGE difference.. and still the noise is not noticable

[Optimzer]

wow your shutter can stay open for 15sec? I think mine maxes out at 2 or 5 seconds :( there were a couple of pics I wanted to take with the city skyline in view but they didn\'t come out well b/c I think I couldn\'t get a long enough of an exposure. Maybe when I buy my *own* digicam I\'ll know what to look for :D

[midnightfxgt]

Majic...

You went to Killarney?!?!! YEA!! My cottage is about 15mins away from there. We are right off Hiway 637. If you remember passing Wolf Creek Outfitters, we are about 5-7mins before that :)

Actually if you saw the \"Camp Watch\" sign on the road, thats our lake :)

Anyways, with my camera, why would the red be showing up?

-John

[wtom]

Post up a sample of the redness you\'re getting in the pic(s).

[Ex-Rolla]

Originally posted by majic

instead of using ISO400 (which will introduce quite some noise to the image) try to keep the shutter open for longer (Tv on Canon cameras)


Thanks for the Tip... I also have a canon (s230), so I\'ll see if i can adjust those settings


edit: Just read in the manual that it can be adjusted up 15 seconds... Nice!

[majic]

Originally posted by Optimzer


wow your shutter can stay open for 15sec? I think mine maxes out at 2 or 5 seconds :( there were a couple of pics I wanted to take with the city skyline in view but they didn\'t come out well b/c I think I couldn\'t get a long enough of an exposure. Maybe when I buy my *own* digicam I\'ll know what to look for :D

yeah.. canon powershot G2.. 3 yrs ago when i bought it was at the top of the ProSumer cameras.. i wanted the rebel (DSLR) but it was too mucho moolass..

#1 thing everyone (who are half serious about photography) should buy is a tripod .. well next to a good camera.. there are trade offs - usually point and shoot will be compact but will lack features (awesome camera SD300 - 4mpix but pretty much a monkey can operate it) and the more pro cams will be more pricey and bulky but damn you could take awesome pix

my cam is 4mpix and it\'s fine.. although i want more :p heh.. PM me if you\'re looking to get a cam ;) don\'t wanna threadcrap too much :)

[majic]

Originally posted by midnightfxgt


Majic...

You went to Killarney?!?!! YEA!! My cottage is about 15mins away from there. We are right off Hiway 637. If you remember passing Wolf Creek Outfitters, we are about 5-7mins before that :)

Actually if you saw the \"Camp Watch\" sign on the road, thats our lake :)

lol.. i was sleeping my buddy was driving :p but yah.. i have some awesome pix from there.. and breathtaking view from silver peak (2.5hrs hike) anwyay.. maybe i\'ll post them in the pix section later :p


Originally posted by midnightfxgt
Anyways, with my camera, why would the red be showing up?

-John

white balance (auto?)? vivd colour setting?
in night portrait mode you are getting a flash and then longer shutter exposure for background lighting (if it\'s similar to canon\'s) so try maybe an auto setting w.o flash.. or try an exposure setting that\'s a bit longer. and post up pix so we know you\'re not on crack ;) :p

[Electra-fire]

Optimzer..
Just also a hint... If you play with the aperture (IF YOU CAN) it opens the lens to let more light in. Used with the delayed shutter you get great shots.. Give it a try :]

[Optimzer]

Originally posted by Electra-fire


Optimzer..
Just also a hint... If you play with the aperture (IF YOU CAN) it opens the lens to let more light in. Used with the delayed shutter you get great shots.. Give it a try :]


I will look in the manual to figure out what the aperture is...and how to change it...but thanks!

[majic]

Originally posted by Ex-Rolla



Originally posted by majic

instead of using ISO400 (which will introduce quite some noise to the image) try to keep the shutter open for longer (Tv on Canon cameras)


Thanks for the Tip... I also have a canon (s230), so I\'ll see if i can adjust those settings


edit: Just read in the manual that it can be adjusted up 15 seconds... Nice!

IIRC s230 is more of a point and shoot but you still should have some customization available..

Dpreview.com (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Canon/canon_s230.asp)
you can adjust aperture (depth of field (so within your image you might be looking far so the close stuff is blurred) ISO (light sensitivity) shutter speed 15sec to 1/1500 and exposure compensation.

i find the last one good for macros when the flash is too strong - you can think of it as the flash going off before the shutter opens and the object doesn\'t appear so WHITE (saturated with the flash)

happy shooting :)

btw.. i\'m no expert.. just a hobby.. for real technical terms consult electra-fire ;) or dpreview.com heh.. cheers

EDIT: oh look the expert replied ;) lol..

you can think of aperture just like with your pupil.. it widens to allow more light and contracts to do the opposite..

[Electra-fire]

LMAO!!!
I think you do a great job majic!!! Fountain of info.
AND AWESOME PICS ;)

Cheers to all..
I get to leave early!!! YAHOOOO
Have a great weekend

[majic]

Originally posted by Electra-fire


LMAO!!!
I think you do a great job majic!!! Fountain of info.
AND AWESOME PICS ;)

Cheers to all..
I get to leave early!!! YAHOOOO
Have a great weekend

neah.. you DA woman.. http://www.bleedinedge.com/forum/images/smilies/bow.gif you guys should see some of her photographs.. really eye catching.. you\'d never think guy swould look so good in pix .. lol :p

have a good one!
ps. more pix this weekend? :p

[MajesticBlueNTO]

Not a pic of a car but still a night shot i took. :p

Atlantis in the Bahamas... Canon S200 (piece of shit 2.0MP camera now)

ISO 50, 10 second shutter speed, camera sitting on a rock (seen at the bottom of the pic)
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/1/web/337000-337999/337094_22_full.jpg

ISO 50, 10 second shutter speed, camera sitting on that same rock
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/1/web/337000-337999/337094_23_full.jpg

ISO 50, 10 second shutter speed, still the same rock, \"Michael Jackson Suite\" is the \"bridge\" in the middle (since he was the first to stay there....$5000/night - 7 night minimum)
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/1/web/337000-337999/337094_26_full.jpg

[mazda3boss]

woah i gotta go there, looks nice

[Electra-fire]

MajesticBlueN NICE PICS!!!

hehe Thanks Majic for the props ;]

So who\'s got some pics to share??? hummmmm
Weekend is over!! hehe