Help with some camera settings for night photos

[m21s]

Heading to Vegas in a few days and was looking for some advice on taking night shots.
I have a Digital Rebel with the Kit lens, and a 50mm 1.8 II.
Looking for some advice for night shots and camera settings.
Also bringing a tripod so thats not an issue.

Also is exposure compensation neccessary? If so how much?

Any samples of some pictures would be great to.

Thanks

[scottbergerphoto]

If your doing wide angle shots with lots of neon lights, try Av and let the camera set the shutter. A tripod is a must. If there is a particular light source, like a sign you want to expose correctly, go to M exposure, spot meter the sign, or zoom in to fill the viewfinder take a reading and recompose. Some of the best night shots are taken about 1-2 hours after sunset, when the sky is dark blue instead of black.
As to exposure compensation, always check the histogram and try to get it to the right without touching the right end.
Enjoy your trip.
Scott

[m21s]

Thanks for the tips.
Anyone else have suggestions for night time photography especially in vegas?

[Adam Hicks]

Well definitely bring a nice tripod that's easy to carry around. Leave the shutter open for a bit and enjoy the outcome.

Another nice effect, especially in groups of people or subject based night shots is to go ahead and use the flash, but leave the shutter open for 1/4 second or so. This grabs the initial detail with the flash, and then any remaining light / movement will make ghosted trails behind the clear subject. I played with this effect in Vegas and came out with some really cool shots on the streets.

I used my 28-70 Tamron F2.8 and was thrilled with the results. For under $400 I highly recommend this solid upgrade from the very cheap feeling 18-55. After using it you'll think the 18-55 must have been provided by Tupperware!

Otherwise don't worry too much about it. There's a LOT of light to be gathered on the strip!

Adam

[WebErika]

not to hijack the thread ... sorries :oops:

but ....
What do you guys mean when you say this?

Leave the shutter open for a bit and enjoy the outcome.

[Volatile]

Use the Av mode with fill flash to get a nighttime shot next to the Bellagio fountain pond. Do it with your subject's back to the street so you can get the lights and their reflections on the water.

Most casinos will let you take still photos of the tables, but video is out. Definitely, and boy do I mean definitely, ask the pit boss before even taking your camera out of your bag/pocket/whatever. They are very touchy out there for some reason.... :roll:

Have fun and good luck!

[jyrgen]

I learned few things from "The Complete Guide to Night and Low-light Photography" by Lee Frost.

[scottbergerphoto]

Another nice effect, especially in groups of people or subject based night shots is to go ahead and use the flash, but leave the shutter open for 1/4 second or so. This grabs the initial detail with the flash, and then any remaining light / movement will make ghosted trails behind the clear subject. I played with this effect in Vegas and came out with some really cool shots on the streets.

Adam
Adam,
Unless I misread what you posted, the procedure your describing, flash fires then shutter remains open, is first curtain sync flash. That will leave trails in front of a moving subject, looking somewhat unnatural. For more realistic shots with trails behind the subject, you need to use 2nd curtain sync., where the flash fires just before the shutter closes.
Scott

[leony]

Set camera to Av, set exposure compinsation to -1.5 stops. let the camera set the shutter by itself. works like a charm all the time...

http://www.a-leon.net/forum/CRW_0490.jpg[/img]
NYC Midtown with Empire State Building, from NJ side.

[photobuff]

True about the casinos and cameras...slight hijack here..hehe...but I took some pics on the gaming floor of Station casino in St. Louis and it didnt take but about 3 minutes and I was swarmed from all angles by undercover casino cops. I volunteered to show them the pics I took and damned if a security guard wasnt passing through one of them and they asked why I was taking pics of security??? Took me to a mini police headquarters in the back and interrogated me. I guess I convinced them I wasnt a threat to thier precious money and they kept the camera until I left. My advice, leave the camera OUTSIDE :wink: Vegas wont be playin around :D
I like the technique Adam had with the flash...I love Vegas and plan a trip next spring with the Rebel and a tripod 8)


Steve

[photobuff]

Leony,

What is your ISO speed set at using that setting? 400?


Steve

[leony]

This was shot at dusk, not completely dark - that's why you still see outlines of buildings. Otherwise all you see is black and lights.

1/2 sec @ f/4.5 @ ISO 400, on a tripod (obviously at .5 sec).
Lens 28-135 IS @ 56mm (from EXIF)

I don't shoot over ISO 400 because of the noise issues, unless i absolutely have to. The image was shot RAW on 10D, converted in photoshop CS with minimal levels adjustments to bring in some contrast. that's it.