Night/Long Exposure

[JoshD]

Hi all,

I am hoping to get some feedback on these. These were all taken in Tv Mode, I believe anywhere from 3-6 second shutter speeds. I don't have much experience in this area, so I wanted to try it out.
I would like feedback on all, but specifically I am wondering what I could do to sharpen the bridge outline a little bit more. I used a tripod obviously but I am wondering if there is something different I should have done. They were quite a ways away, so I had to zoom in a lot. That may have something to do with it. Thanks for any feedback

[Dubbs5050]

your problem isn't about sharpness...I think the bridge looks pretty sharp on the first one...obviously you want to use a tripod when you are doing any sort of extended exposure, but these photos are lacking because of the subject....there is just too much negative space...try getting closer to the bridge and getting a more interesting angle than straight on from the side...

I like the first photo the best, but it is too symmetric

[JoshD]

Yea, I am kind of limited being on the other side of the Bay. Much better pictures can be had by being in a closer location. thanks for the feedback. Looking at them again, I guess the bridge structure is fairly sharp, it's just the lights that are blurry but that is to be expected with the long exposure

Thanks




[QUOTE=Dubbs5050]your problem isn't about sharpness...I think the bridge looks pretty sharp on the first one...obviously you want to use a tripod when you are doing any sort of extended exposure, but these photos are lacking because of the subject....there is just too much negative space...try getting closer to the bridge and getting a more interesting angle than straight on from the side...

I like the first photo the best, but it is too symmetric[/QUOT

[Greg McCary]

I see some noise be sure and shot as low of ISO as your camera will go. Just make sure your tripod is sturdy and doesn't shake during the exposure. Use the cameras timer or a shutter release. Missing exposure can also cause noise, bracket your shots and take some at different speeds. Take your time and have fun. Get a good processing software will also help and shot in RAW.

[GB1]

I do see the softness. Possible reasons:

- Ground shaking (EQ zone .. ha ha)
- Wind shake
- Internal vibration
- Shot wide open, but focus was not set exactly
- subject moving/shaking (a possibility)
- Lens optics not the best in the world
- Resizing of image, which causes softness

I go through the same myself, always wanting sharper images than what I got.

G