Another first for me--night time shoot. Hey, I used my tripod for the first time too! Just to give the story behind the photo: I drove aimlessly in search of "light" and something that might capture the eye. I drove to the top of a parking deck hoping to get some "city" view, but alas, all I had was the boring highway of car dealerships lighting up the very bland landscape.
Then, as I drove out of the parking lot, I saw a new parking lot all aglow with its lights and "car"- I set up shop across the street, fumbling with no light (yes, I did read in the Googled doc I researched that it might be good to take along a flashlight for this very reason--did I follow the advice? NOPE!).
I kept playing with shutter speed and aperture. I did not use automatic focus because I didn't trust it in this light. But then my "old" eyes were hard to trust too (visual for you: up go glasses on my head, face goes right up to camera, glasses go down on face, face backs up from camera and can't see anything). I grabbed several photos. Packed up and drove to an office park.
There, I tried to get some Pear trees in bloom under the office park lights-meh. Then I drove to the town of Roswell to see if there was an "Old South" home I could get with night photography--let's just say it's completely out of my league and I'll need to do more than Google that kind of lesson (my porch light capture was like some kind of beacon for all desperate souls--flooded).
I came home, loaded up the images. The parking deck shots were the ones to work with. The choices were between those that had a little twinkle in the lights or not. I went for sparkle. Cause I'm sorta all sparkly anyways! Whew! That was an adventure. Thanks again, I think, for the challenge! If I were to edit it, I'd darken the black and go for more contrast, but this will do for now!
Smashing! Well played Daryl. You have a lovely shot to show it. A couple of hints. I always forget to take a torch so I have a couple of apps on my smartphone to let me use the screen or flash as a light source. Secondly if you are struggling with manual focus, use LiveView because it then allows you to focus using the lcd screen and (more importantly) allows you to zoom in to a greater magnification to get that focus spot on!
@steampowered You are so right! I have a torch app and it didn't occur to me---great point!--and I'm embarrassed--I was in Live View (didn't know what to call it--but now I know!), but my changing eye sight is really struggling with both distance and up close (need new specs). You are so helpful. Thanks so much! :)
@darylo Hi Daryl. I know the problem with changing eyesight. As a diabetic, my eyes can change by a few dioptres each way so my specs don't always give me the best Live View focus. I just have to find what looks least blurry!
@ruthmouch Thanks Ruth! Oh, those eyes...sigh. I did have fun; however, it was one of those days where I worked all day, then took kids to an international night at school, and soccer practices, so going out at 9 or so pm was a little brutal after wearing all my "hats." But my 365 time is my creative and personal time--so it's a win situation, even if a bit exhausting. :)
What a FUN and torture story but hey,look at the result----it's Awesome..i have tried night shots too,even bought myself a tripod just to shoot the moon---but i don't have the patience at all---i give up easily-i still have the tripod 'tho....High 5 to U--!!!
@jodimuli Thanks very much. Yeah, I briefly turned the camera to the moon--it was not even in the cards. My biggest lament right now is not having a photo planned for food and culture today--it's possibly the only time my photo would shine--I'm a serious foodie. Alas, lack of sleep and work is taking its toll. All these one night stands...
@danitech I couldn't bring myself to put the tripod anywhere someone would really see me. I didn't want to pretend I knew what I was doing. Let me know how it goes when you do get out there!
@steampowered I just wanted to let you know that it was not until this month that I figured outb how to use the live view magnified. Changed my world and here you gave me this advice ages ago.iSo glad I "get it" now. Just had to let you know!
December 10th, 2013
Leave a Comment
Sign up for a free account or Sign in to post a comment.
