Didn't make it...

[Alpha_7]

Thought I would post my 10 second entry that didn't make it due to bad Exif Data (should of double checked the camera date, but hey an idiot).

Anways, thought I'd still try to get some feedback on my shot and how I could improve. It didn't seem to convert to jpeg that nicely, but here it is.


Thanks,
Craig

[Geoff]

Craig,
Thanks for posting. I need to know though what was it you were trying to capture? The water, the building, the sand? All of it? You shot RAW then converted to JPEG yes? What ISO did you use? Unfortunately I think the big flood lights over the car park really detract from this photo and I'm not quite sure what it is you wanted the viewer to be focused on and looking at. Good on you for posting it though and seeking opinions. I don't think it's a terrible photo but I know you can do loads better .

[Paul]

Craig,
My opinion would be that you need to arrive at this location during the "magic hour" which is very roughly 1 hour before sunset and half an hour after it.
The reason being is because of the restraint of the 10 second exposure there isn't enough light when it's pitch black for the exposure to be what your after.
Sure you can shoot this image at 30 secs or more in bulb mode but that takes away what you where trying to achieve.
I agree with Glen that the spotlights are distracting, not much you can do about them without manipulation in PS
Keep trying, the more you shoot the more you learn

[wendellt]

hi craig

Best tiem to do long exposures is when the dark but not pitch black
that way you can get some really nce ambient light coming from the sky and reflecting off the scene making it look more dynamic

now it depends on what sort of night shot you want to get if your intention was to capture the night sky as black well your photo works but if you want something more exciting wait for the 'blue minutes' around this time that would be around 5:30pm this blue period just before it gets really dark only lasts for about 20 minutes

I usually use a steady tripod 30 second exposure ISO100 and f11 to darken the image a little.

here is an example of a 30 sec exposure during the 'blue' minutes' of the day
in actual it was quite dark and i think this image is overexposed technically but it's appealing
http://www.zeduce.org/images/syd_b/01.htm

[Alpha_7]

Well firstly thanks for all the feedback. Unfortunately I'm somewhat of an opportunistic photographer, by this I mean I have limited control over when and where I can shoot (mainly because I can't drive, and have to rely on my patient wife). Because of this my style and intent is somewhat hap-hazard, I thought I'd clear this up, I definite try to think more (since joining the site, but it doesn't always happen).

Anyway I basically had a window of 20 minutes to shoot Wollongong Harbour, which I thought would suit the 10 second challenge. I was mainly interested in capturing some nice reflections and trying to emulate the style of some of the Sydney posts on the forum (just on a smaller scale).

Back to answering questions.

Shoot in Raw, ISO200 (can I get ISO100?), 35mm, f11.

Geoff I didn't like the spotlights either but my wife told me to keep them in, over the boats on the left hand side (I'll post original frame).

I also think the neon's, and the whole building detract from the shot, in retrospect.

Paul&Wendell : Thanks for the advice on shooting at the right time, I may try these shots again, if given the time and see how they go with a bit more light in the sky.



Edit : Add photo

[Geoff]

Craig,
My opinion would be that you need to arrive at this location during the "magic hour" which is very roughly 1 hour before sunset and half an hour after it.
The reason being is because of the restraint of the 10 second exposure there isn't enough light when it's pitch black for the exposure to be what your after.
Sure you can shoot this image at 30 secs or more in bulb mode but that takes away what you where trying to achieve.
I agree with Glen that the spotlights are distracting, not much you can do about them without manipulation in PS
Keep trying, the more you shoot the more you learn

Paul, I think you meant me, Geoff..not Glen!!

[wendellt]

craig

onthe D70 minimum is ISO200 sometimes high iso is more favourable against longer exposure depends on what kind of effect you want

for me silky water, long light streaks from cars and a light up sky is what i like so longer exposures if my thing 30 secs or more to counter the exposure being too overexposed i set the ISO to it's lowest on my camera which is ISO100 and increase the fstop11 or more

in your case if you want to capture subtleties like in the water you would use a higher shutterspeed bump the ISO and decrease the ftop value

In longer expsoures the do minant lights gets rid of most subtle details

this sort of thing is very subjective it's best if you just experiment