Laguna Beach at night

[kevinbythebeach]

SO ive been messing around with a freinds tripod...havent quite bought one yet...the ones i want are out of the reach at the moment...So this is my second night using one...25 seconds at f6.3 ISO 100


C and C welcome... I think its a tad over exposed in some areas but i think it looks pretty

[Colin Southern]

I think its a tad over exposed in some areas.

It's a typical night time high-contrast scene, so you'll never be able to capture the full dynamic range presented to you. So - with that in mind - the exposure looks fine to me.

Some highlights will blow anyway - mid-tones look good - only decision is what to do with the large dark area; you could raise the levels and see what you get (if shot RAW), but I suspect that the area probably isn't that attractive anyway, and is possibly left as is.

Unlike daytime photography when you probably don't want large areas of highlight or shadow, night shots are a different set of rules, where you can use shadows to hide all manner of things

Or "Plan B" - just crop off the bottom 1/4 to 1/3.

[Alis]

Nice shot, Kevin.

I agree with Colin about the large dark area at the bottom.

To my eyes, this is a bit too crowded, there are just to many things that catch the eyes and you can't focus on one single area or detail. I think I don't see the soothing harmony we usually look for in a night shot, specially with the two bright areas on the left and right upper and mid sections.

I think it would also help if you could keep the detail on the hill in focus by using a narrower aperture.

Cheers!

[kevinbythebeach]

mmm so maybe 30 seconds which is the max i can set my camera on and F11 at 100 iso maybe and the houses on the hill behind will be a little sharper?...ill try it... thanks

[Colin Southern]

30 seconds which is the max i can set my camera

Most cameras have a "bulb" mode where the shutter stays open for as long as you have your finger on the button (best to use a remote release).

[kevinbythebeach]

hmm ill look into that Bulb mode...dont remeber seeing anything about it int he manual...

nope dont have a remote release,,,

[Colin Southern]

Results of a Photoshop 25 second Makeover (TM!) ...

[kevinbythebeach]

lololol hahaha.....i like my original better...