Night shots?

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Scooterb
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Night shots?

Unread post by Scooterb »

Ok night shot experts help us, what setting do you use or any other info you can give us, tips tricks and such to get the shot of the night.
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RailCanon
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Unread post by RailCanon »

This is from a Private message I sent to Patrick earlier:
"Turn the knob on the camera to "TV" and look at the screen. I set it up for you already so, unless you've fooled with it, it should already be set for a 15 Second exposure. If it isn't, use the direction keys until the numbers on the screen say 15". Then set the camera on something firm, such as a Tripod or the top of the car you are using, press the shutter half way down to focus it (IMPORTANT that you do that) and then press it all the way down. After 15 seconds the shutter will click, and you will wait another 5-10 Seconds while the data is saved the card."

Now some ad-ons to this:
It doesn't have to be 15 Seconds. You can set it to what ever you want. Best results come when the exposure is over 10 seconds, and a higher limit is always better. I usually just pop my camera in TV and then let the camera pick the aperature (Like F8.0, F7.1 etc), but sometimes I will go full manual and fool with the aperature as well. Different settings will give you different effects, so I would recommend trying that out as well. Another thing you should be aware of is that cameras will sometimes have a hard time focusing on the subject if there isn't enough light, so if you start to have that problem then you might want to focus the camera manually as well. I've done that a few times with good results, but you have to pay close attention to what you are doing. One thing you might want to try, Scott, is running out to your Amtrak station some night, and do some test shooting there for practice.
Hope this helps you Scott.

By the way, I really like looking at night shots, and I also enjoy taking them, because a lot of the time doing this will make you think more, because you don't always get a chance to reshoot over again, and you have to make sure you get it right the first time.
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Aleks
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Unread post by Aleks »

Obviously different camaras have different functions available.
As Matt can attest our Optio 30 cameras have 2 different night mode settings. I just set mine there. It picks the exposue and general it does a good job on it's own. Definitly try to use a tripod if at all possible. I sometimes use the full size ones but I also have a little compact one that's about 6" in length that's always in the digital camara bag. It has flexible legs which you can easily bend to get the right position. The other thing I use now, didn't at first but its a good practice to make sure you dont introduce any movement from touching the camera while taking a time exposue is to use the timer setting. Mine has 2 sec and 10 second settings. I'm sure yours would have this option.

mushroom2
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Unread post by mushroom2 »

Here's some of my night stuff http://www.railroadfan.com/gallery/thum ... ?album=237 Some of the files have the exif info so you can see what happened in the camera.

I use aperture priority and let the camera pick the shutter speed, unless I'm going for a blur shot. The, I'll set the shutter and let the camera do the aperture.

But in all cases, use a tripod, rock, car top, whatever to hold the camera still, or you will get a blur shot :shock:

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Night Shots

Unread post by Mr. Tops »

If at all possible, you'll want to use either TV (shutter speed - TimeValue) or full manual mode. Set the time to what you want. My camera goes up to 30 seconds by itself, others may only go up to 15 seconds, which is still plenty good. If you have an outlet for one, a shutter relaese cable is an awesome accessory that only costs around $30 or so. If you have an outlet for this, you probably also have the 'bulb' setting, which is available in manual mode. 'Bulb' is the setting that will allow the shutter to stay open as long as you hold down the shutter button, this is where the cable comes in handy as you won't have to hold onto the camera the keep the shutter open.

When shooting stationary subjects with available lightling present, 10-15 seconds should be plenty to get a decent shot: http://muskblock.rrpicturearchives.net/ ... 017_RJ.JPG
If there is NO light, the picture still might be a little dark: http://muskblock.rrpicturearchives.net/ ... s327bw.jpg
A flash can be used for effect, but in the long run will only illuminate the reflective tape on the locomotive.

When shooting a moving subject, the time length will be quite tricky to choose. You have to set up your shot in your head, and estimate how fast the train will be moving and how long it will take to get from point A to point B. With a shutter release cable, this problem can fully be alleviated, you just click the shutter open when you want, and then release it when you want. Never take a night shot looking towards the train showing the tracks off into the distance (like you would in the daytime), the light will blow out your picture, and it will look like you took a picture of the sun: http://www.railroadfan.com/gallery/albu ... 030_RJ.JPG
If you do look towards the train, cut the view of the oncoming train off as if you were just taking a picture of the lead locomotive during the day: http://muskblock.rrpicturearchives.net/ ... obbins.jpg
This will reduce the headlight problem. Or look away from the train, you may want to have something as a backdrop: http://muskblock.rrpicturearchives.net/ ... 016_RJ.JPG
Using a flash on a moving subject on a time exposure creates almost a picture within a picture. The flash freezes the train in the picture, and you still get the lights streaking: http://muskblock.rrpicturearchives.net/ ... 5/8218.jpg

At all costs, try to avoid using 'preset' modes that you have no idea what the camera is going to do. Sure the picture may come out fine, but next time it might not. And yes, a tripod is a MUST, whether it is just a cheap-o or a broadcast quality tripod doesn't matter. Setting the camera on anything else is risky, but as long as it is sturdy...car ground, pole, etc

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