My first try at night photography

[MissSage]

Hi folks, I recently went out to take some pictures of the Providence City skyline. I was trying to get some night shots with HDR and I didn't really get anything too exciting. One that I really liked but am not 100% sure on and would like some feedback I am going to post. Bear in mind I am still learning and this was my very first nightime shooting.
Thnaks in advance for looking!
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g72/SageLady/cityscapedarker.jpg

[TwistedGray]

I personally think that the way the lights are is fantastic.

[nburwell]

It's not bad, but it is a bit underexposed. How long did you expose the photo for? HDR processing could benefit this image - as long as you don't overdo it with the post processing.

[Randy1213]

Nice pic, MissSage! I especially like the creative use of lens flare to make those diagonal streaks across the image. I too think it would benefit from some more light so that you can see the details better in the Providence River (?). You might get some even better reflections in the water that way.

Thanks for the image and keep posting!

[MissSage]

Thanks for the replies, they are much appreciated! I did make one with some adjustments making it appear lighter. nburwell I used 11 for exposure.. I believe... if my bad memory serves me correctly? Which of the 2 do you all think is better? the one I posted already or this one I am posting now?
Thanks so much in advance!
Disregard the frame it this point. Also Randy, I didn't even use lens flare in photoshop, those are all natural!
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g72/SageLady/cityscape.jpg

[Avi]

I'll go for first image...

[Keira]

I love it!

[DerekRob]

its pretty good, I also see you used the star filter lens :D

[Randy1213]

I like the second one but would probably tweak down the highlights just a bit.

[bryanj87]

I think I like the first shot better. The second has more detail in the buildings, but it seems a bit blurry and the highlights seem a bit bright. Still, a great shot for your first time shooting at night.

[fiftysvn]

I prefer the second picture because the flare is just too sharp for my taste in the first picture. The second one also brings out a lot of color from the reflection on the ground, which looks great. I really like the reflection off the rain. Did you purposely go out after it rained? Or was this totally random?

[ltmanonfire]

i wold go for the second one myself... good shot

[kelstar]

I prefer the first image.

[MissSage]

Wow thanks for all the great replies! First off, no effects from photoshop were applied, no lens flare, star thingies, etc. I used ps to correct the curves and levels. The rain was totally random, I was actually bummed out because I had planned that night to photograph down city and we had terrible down pours... I had to be down there for something anyways so I brought my camera and tripod along but was rather bummed.. but then the rain stopped and I was psyched! Also there was not anyone out and about because of the weather so that was a nice little extra! Hmm, I need to tally up the votes for each picture.. I suck at math, lol.

[Inten_Z]

I prefer the first one, but then agan I like a darker look to night shots than an almost daylight look from a night shot.

[MissSage]

I am thinking of combining the two and masking some of the unwanted stuff. I like the detail better in the first picture but the brightness better in the second one. Back to photoshop I think...

[MissSage]

I think this is my final and I am mostly happy with it. I feel like I could just keep editing it. Any opinions?
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g72/SageLady/finalskylinecopy.jpg