one night in the rocks

[amashun1]

Hi Guys,

I took some pictures when we went to the rocks, so i though i would post some up and seeking for critiques again

OK, i have found that it seems pretty easy to take pictures at night because i bought my tripod along (please kindly correct me if i'm wrong). I personally think these pictures are good to share and not make me embarrass




so please let me know what you think, this is my 1st attempt for night shooting too.

Many thanks,
Adrian

[Killakoala]

Good first attempt Adrian.

The horizon is not level in the pink opera house image. It appears to be sinking into the harbour, but not by much. The second image of the bridge seems a little claustrophobic to me. I can't help feel that it looks better whole rather than cropped like that. (That's my opinion of course)

A good idea is to use the search function on the top tab of this site and search for 'opera house' and 'harbour bridge.' Have a look at how other phots on this site deal with both subjects, decide for yourself which works and which don't and then next time you photograph these two Sydney icons, you will have a better idea of what you want to achieve with your own work. In fact, this will work with most things you can photograph. It also gives you a good idea on where the best locations are to get the best aspects of your subjects. It's not plagiarism, it's research.

Remember though, if you have ten photographers in a row photographing the exact same subject you will get ten completely different images. You will notice this when you look at images of things that have millions of photographs taken of it, such as the Opera House.

I hope I didn't sound too critical.

Was P!nk playing at the Opera House that night?

[aim54x]

+1 about the opera house needing a bit of a straighten.

The Harbour bridge could be better lit (shame about that unlit section) but I feel that there is a lot more detail that can be captured in within the coat hanger. The crop could be either tighter or encompass the whole bridge, I also find this crop a bit strange.

Great stuff for a first attempt at night shooting.

[amashun1]

thanks Steve and Cameron for your inputs, please be critical so i can improve next time and that's my intention to post them. appreciate that

Noted with the search function and will start to work from there now.

I didn't notice the unlevel bit when i took the picture, possibly when i move the camera from one spot to another, i didn't check the leveler. but i have to agree that i took 5 pictures and this is the only one that i think is usable..

Haha, not sure about P!nk was there or not but my missus was kinda like that.

I'm also curious, do you guys use remote shutter to take night pictures? If yes, do you suggest a cord one or IR one? I'm using Nikon D90

Cheers,
Adrian

[amashun1]

 btw, my friend told me the reason for the opera house is pink because of the Breast Cancer Month.

[biggerry]

I'm also curious, do you guys use remote shutter to take night pictures? If yes, do you suggest a cord one or IR one? I'm using Nikon D90

I mainly use the self timer but also own the cordless remote, realistically, unless your doing it every night I would just stick with the self timer, that said the remotes are dirt cheap off fleabay.

Man, I would wish they would fix those lights on the Harbour bridge! the missing ones standout like dog balls.

best locations are to get the best aspects of your subjects. It's not plagiarism, it's research.

I agree with this to an extent, I think sometimes just rocking up to a joint and seeing what happens really gets you thinking on the spot and looking for the right angles and compositions without any pre-conceived compositions.

[amashun1]

Cheers, i will look into cordless remote. that would be benefit me taking the macro shots too

[aim54x]

Can I suggest you have a look at the Phottix Cleon II and the Phottix Plato if your looking at wireless remotes, These are RF units with digital encryption and a 100+ meter range.

[amashun1]

Will do Cameron. Thanks for the infos

[gstark]

Will do Cameron. Thanks for the infos

And they're available through this forum.

Regarding the use of a remote etc for these sorts of images: when you have your camera mounted on a tripod, it's considered best practice to use either a remote or a self timer to release your shutter, as this can help prevent camera movement which might be introduced when (if) you manually press the shutter button.

Also consider the use of an eyepiece blind if you're shooting using AW and metering TTL and pre-exposure.

[amashun1]

Thanks Gary, i just quickly look at both model on youtube, they seem pretty similar overall in terms of function.

I will look into it and may need your help to hook me up with one of them.

Cheers,
Adrian