Tokyo at night

[yakkosmurf]

I'm fairly new to learning about photography. On my recent trip to Tokyo, my point and shoot camera gave up the ghost on the first day. I went out shopping for a new camera, and my wife and I settled on a DSC-R1. I took this from the top of Tokyo tower, so it was through glass. I had the shutter speed set at 3 seconds, with the camera taking care of the aperture for me. Any suggestions for how to make these shots come out better? (Other than getting a tripod, which I'm shopping for)

[Ronnoco]

For someone still learning and the 3 sec. shutter speed that is an excellent shot.

To make some suggestions, timing is everything for this type of shot and timing means earlier in the evening when there is more colour in the sky and more detail in the buildings from the setting sun. This earlier shot would mean more available light and therefore a faster shutter speed and great sharpness. Specifically I am talking about that time in the evening when it is dark enough for the lights to be on, but there is still sky colour and some available light reflecting off the buildings.

Ronnoco

[Anbesol]

Your EXIF information sais it was 2 seconds, nevertheless - remarkably still for a 2 second exposure. probably a bit too much of a horizon. Ron pretty much summed up a good critique. I would love to visit tokyo myself

[yakkosmurf]

How do you get that info from the picture? I had bought the camera so recent, I was frantically playing with the settings. I think this one was the 3 second shutter. Or you can correct me on that one too. I liked the first one better. I think this came out too bright.

[Herriot]

I think that you have done very well for a two second, hand held, exposure, through glass! It looks as though you are very high up in the sky indeedAgree that the second image you posted is too bright, looking forward to seeing the results once you pick up your trpod! Can you tell me what ISO speed you were using for this shot?

Thanks for sharing

[yakkosmurf]

I had the camera set to Auto ISO since I'm not advanced enough yet to pick all that. Looking at the picture info, the camera tells me both pictures were at ISO 160.

In aid of my learning, may I ask why you wanted to know? Whatt info does it give you about the shot knowing the ISO number? Should I have picked another one for this kind of shot, and if so which?

Just trying to figure out all of the settings on the new camera. I did set the camera on a railing for the shot. These are the best out of about 20. It was very crowded, and I was getting bumped a lot and having trouble holding still (as you can imagine).

Thanks for the comments.

[Herriot]

I ask as the ISO setting essentially depicts the sensor's sensitivity to light. I was guessing that you had a farily low ISO as the colours are pretty sharp and the overall exposure works well.

Take a look a couple of night shots I have taken and the resulting discussion around these points, I think that your camera got it right.

Night drive

NIghtlight

Again, am looking forward to seeing your results once you have your tripod!

Herriot

[Anbesol]

in windows xp right click the image, select properties and then click the summary tab, hit the advanced button and vio la!

[yakkosmurf]

in windows xp right click the image, select properties and then click the summary tab, hit the advanced button and vio la!

Awesome. I was looking for it in the wrong place. Thanks for the help.

[yakkosmurf]

I ask as the ISO setting essentially depicts the sensor's sensitivity to light. I was guessing that you had a farily low ISO as the colours are pretty sharp and the overall exposure works well.

Take a look a couple of night shots I have taken and the resulting discussion around these points, I think that your camera got it right.

Night drive

NIghtlight

Again, am looking forward to seeing your results once you have your tripod!

Herriot

Thanks for the explanation. I should play around with the manual settings on the camera more, but I'm taking my time figuring it out. Wonderful shots, btw. I really liked the one with the skyscrapers in the background.