First time night time motorway shot!

[Phate]

Hey guys, this is my first pictures posted here, granted it is with the PowerShot A80 I have (getting the 350D on the weekend :D)

But I got bored the other night so I swiped my Dad's cheapo Tripod and went out to experiment

Hope you enjoy because I certainly had fun shooting it!

http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/5118/img0070smalldo6.jpg

Agreed its not brilliant, as theres a little bit of shake, but out of the 8 or so I took this is the best one.

All Comments welcome. Good or Bad

(Btw not sure on Image rules here so if it's wrong let me know and I'll resize it.)

Shot above the A127 btw

[tehdrok]

I like it, well done! I love this style of shot, had a go myself last week with my 350D and I'll be going out again as soon as I find a nice stretch of motorway. If I could make one suggestion, it would be to get a few more tail-lights in; The red stands out more than the xenon white of the headlights - but apart from that, great stuff! :)

[pup]

very good work ,like it!

[Phate]

I like it, well done! I love this style of shot, had a go myself last week with my 350D and I'll be going out again as soon as I find a nice stretch of motorway. If I could make one suggestion, it would be to get a few more tail-lights in; The red stands out more than the xenon white of the headlights - but apart from that, great stuff! :)

Thank you :D

yeh the brake light thing lol not my fault only a couple of cars went that way :p

I think I'm gonna go out tonight and try it again, but have the shots as black and white and see how they come out :D yay or nay?

[Phate]

very good work ,like it!

Thank you :)

[tehdrok]

Thank you :D

yeh the brake light thing lol not my fault only a couple of cars went that way :p

I think I'm gonna go out tonight and try it again, but have the shots as black and white and see how they come out :D yay or nay?

I don't know if black and white would have as much effect, to be honest. I'd take them in colour and have a go and grayscaling them in Photoshop later on, see if that works. That way, you get the best of both worlds. And hang around a bit longer, if you can, get some more cars going the other way.. ;)

[Phate]

I don't know if black and white would have as much effect, to be honest. I'd take them in colour and have a go and grayscaling them in Photoshop later on, see if that works. That way, you get the best of both worlds. And hang around a bit longer, if you can, get some more cars going the other way.. ;)

Well I can only try? heck its digital so it's not asif I'm wasting film ;)

[nidus_22]

nice image. How long did you keep your shutter open?

[Phate]

nice image. How long did you keep your shutter open?

think that one was 6 seconds, for a laugh i left it open for 15 seconds (cameras longest) and you could tell a big difference, I'll post it when I get home.

[Rene S]

Cool, I still have not been able to make one of those shots work, mind you I was trying it on film originally, I should take the wife ... err camera out for a night out on the town and try it again

[Phate]

Cool, I still have not been able to make one of those shots work, mind you I was trying it on film originally, I should take the wife ... err camera out for a night out on the town and try it again

Handheld its impossible...I can vouch for that and post an example if you like, with a tripod it's all good, if you notice the angle, it was at the end of the bridge - well as far as i could go without shooting through trees, so I got as little light from the street lamps as possible

With a tripod though, it's just a case of waiting for the car's to come along...

[LowBattery]

I have been trying to get this affect myself, the problem I have is that if I leave the shutter open long enough to get the streaking lights I desrire, I also get too much light from stationary lights and they flare out (trying to shoot cars downtown). It's fun to try though! When you post more can you list the settings you used? I'd be interested in comparing notes. Have fun with the 350!

[Phate]

I have been trying to get this affect myself, the problem I have is that if I leave the shutter open long enough to get the streaking lights I desrire, I also get too much light from stationary lights and they flare out (trying to shoot cars downtown). It's fun to try though! When you post more can you list the settings you used? I'd be interested in comparing notes. Have fun with the 350!

Well the camera jst sits on the tripod and as you can see, is angled downwards, so the light from the street lights doesn't blast into the shutter. I just wait until the cars are coming towards me about 200 yards off and push down the magic button and let the camera do the work. Don't forget its a point and shoot so it does alot of the hard work for you. :p you should of seen my first attempts. I daren't post them lol

[fstop212]

if you want more break lights, throw something in the middle of the road.
That's sure to light up a few =0) Kidding of course. DON'T DO IT!!!
Nice shot though.

[no sadusabisa]

i like the colours it is a powerfull shot >and the sides of the highway , is so empty witch forms a contrass with the lights, well done.

[LowBattery]

if you want more break lights, throw something in the middle of the road.
That's sure to light up a few =0) Kidding of course. DON'T DO IT!!!
Nice shot though.

fstop212 is right, DON'T DO IT! If you do, the cars will have to swerve around the object, and that will make the red trails look distorted compared to the headlights in the other lane ;)

[Phate]

/puts down large rock

:(