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Night Shots – First Attempt
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Joined the recent night time outing organised by the IOP, at the Grand Canal Basin.
Here’s 2 images, my first attempt at night time shots. CC welcome.
Hello,
Not bad but for me they’re a bit too bright and a little washed out for night shots. I wonder if something simple like increasing contrast or saturation would give them a bit more impact? The reflections look good but i think I’d crop the left side of pic.2 and have just the older building your main focal point. Basically, the shots have good potential and could look a whole lot better with a couple of minutes post processing in Elements, Picasa or whatever your preferred programme is. Hopefully you will take this as constructive :DMark.
Hi Mark, many thanks for your comments and suggestions, will have a go in Elements and see how I get on.
I agree that no 2 needs cropping and is as you say washed out.Regards
EddieHi Mark,
Here’s another version of no2, taken slightly laterin the evening.
No PP other than slight rotation and resizing.
Your further views would be welcome .
EddieHi Eddie,
Bit of a difference between those 2 alright. You might have noticed that the building was a little out of focus on the earlier shot as well – compare the 2 shots and you’ll really notice it. One more small thing, theres a piece of railing cutting across the bottom right corner which could easily have been sorted by leaning in slightly more or getting inside the railing (if it was safe enough!). This would also have ensured that the whole building was seen in the reflection. A litlle further croppping will sort that though. Probably not much more you can do with it other than wish the sky had been more interesting :D
By the way, Photoshop / Elements is not a bad thing. Try experimenting with different things like black & white, sepia or whatever. I hope I dont sound patronising but Im guessing from your screen name you’re new to photography? Apologies if Im wrong :oops:Mark
Hi Mark,
Thanks again for your very welcome comments.
Perhaps I could have cloned out the bit of the railing, I was was also aware of the
pigeon preventive wiring also there in the bottom rh corner.
Not sure I could have got over the railing safely.
I hope to get down soon to the area where the shots were taken and have another go
keeping in mind comments received.
Yes you are quite right, I am a very new to Digital Photography and only started
with a P&S given to me as a retirement present in 2004 and have only moved to DSLR’s
in the last two years. So, now in my Senior Years I’m taxing this poor ol’head, learning to use
DSLR’s beyond Auto mode and also the whole area of Post Processing with Elements.
But it’s a wonderful hobby and will help to keep me active PG.Regards
EddieHi Eddie,
A nice couple of photographs there and some good advice from Mark.
I like the look of #1 with it’s nice selection of buildings and the lovely
bridge and it’s reflection placed nicely in the frame.The second version of #2 is I feel a nicer image.
All in all a good first effort at night photography.
Cheers.
John.
Good set of shots and night time work is difficult and sometimes dangerous so fair play for getting out.
Good advice so far, and boosting the contrast has helped. Try adding a contrast such as hard or soft light and setting the percentage to around 25 or so. Bit soft too so add some unsharp maskThanks John and Deebo for your extra comments to those already posted by Mark.
Will spend some time with Elements and see how we do.Just to add, Deebo, night time outings could be dangerous as you say, but on this shoot organised
by the IOP, there were about 50 or more turned up, so as they say, there’s strenght in numbers and
I felt very safe exploring the area selected.Regards
EddieOne more thing Eddie – seeing as you’re not too familiar with Elements yet, make sure you dont destroy the original of an image you like by saving it incorrectly after experimenting with it. The safe way to save it is by choosing “Save As” rather than just “Save”. Maybe you already know this but just thought Id mention it.
Mark
Thanks Mark for the advice re saving etc. Lately I have started to save a copy as Tiff
and work away on this copy, keeping the original as shot especially if shot in raw.Regards
EddieHi Deebo, just thought I’d let you see my attempt at your suggestions re contrast & usm.
Any further views welcome.
Regards
Eddie
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