1st bulb exposure

[stckciv]

This was my first try at bulb shots.

Let me know what you think and anything I should try different or change.


Thanks

Exposure:310 sec (310)Aperture:f/4Focal Length:17 mmISO Speed:100Exposure Bias:0/2 EVFlash:Flash did not fire
X-Resolution:250 dpiY-Resolution:250 dpiDate and Time:2007:11:06 19:50:08Artist Name:unknownExposure Program:ManualDate and Time (Original):2007:11:05 22:25:54Date and Time (Digitized):2007:11:05 22:25:54Shutter Speed:-8276124/1000000Maximum Lens Aperture:4/1Metering Mode:PartialFocal Plane X-Resolution:3954.233 dpiFocal Plane Y-Resolution:3958.763 dpiExposure Mode:ManualTag::TIFF::0x882A:-7, -7



http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2400/1896154425_460fc29d2c_b.jpg

[KenG]

The composition and exposure of the train look great! I always find star trails distracting unless they are very long or points of light. The latter being impossible after about 30 seconds though. Great image!

[rockabilly808]

nice shot, I like it a lot

[faceoff]

looks creepy, almost like a painting or something. i like it.

[jrader]

First, I like the idea. Some of my best shots are from night exposures. I think you'll find it's quite addictive once you get your first amazing one.

Suggestions:

1) Back up a bit and get the whole thing in. Nothing is worse than cutting part of the focus object out of the frame. It's like my eyes want to see the whole thing, but it's just not there.

2) You have the right idea of shooting at low ISO to minimize noise. You just didn't do a long enough exposure! Better to have more light than less (the "expose to the right" rule). You can always darken the shot in postprocessing.

3) The moon was at 8% illumination that night, and on the dark nights I typically shoot AT LEAST 8 minutes @ ISO100 & F3.5. You were shooting one stop above, so you would've needed close to 16 minutes to get a proper exposure. Of course, this depends on what effect you were going for (dark and moody, or brighter and amazingly colorful). For half moon, I do half times. One thing about long exposures at night is that you rarely overexpose, so it can't hurt to do some longer shots (i.e. experiment)
This website may help you a bit in doing future night shots: Important astronomy info (http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneDay.php)

4) One thing I've been experimenting with is using a flashlight to "paint" something of interest brighter. From the shots I've taken, I'd stick with a traditional yellow light as opposed to a LED flashlight (too harsh reflection).

5) Hopefully you are using a tripod and a shutter controller. Another suggestion: mirror lockup, if you're not already doing it. Also, in-camera noise reduction. The downside to this is that the noise reduction will take almost as long as the exposure, so you have to have patience (and lots of battery power). However, it's worth it.

6) Go ahead and invest in an extra battery or two. Or a car charger.

7) Try shooting from a very low angle (set your camera on a beanbag or the like). The sky gets amazing when you do long exposures, so you want to have a decent amount in it. The best skies occur on semi-cloudy nights, so don't let that be a downer from shooting.

Keep shooting!

John

[stckciv]

Thanks jrader!!!

I will check out that site. I did use mirror lockup and noise reduction as well as a sturdy tripod. I do have extra batteries for this camera as well as my S50 (which are the same)

Thanks for the ideas on lower angle and different settings, I have been wanting to go out every night since I did this but not much time right now. It is getting pretty cold here so its hard to stay out too long, possible snow tomorrow.

I will try out a few shots here pretty soon and post them, hopefully you can let me know how I am doing.

Thanks for the help and compliments all of you!!!!

[stckciv]

I think I am going to pull out my Elan 7 and use film for this to get some really long exposures. What film should I use for this? Would slide film or color negative be the best?

[jrader]

I think I am going to pull out my Elan 7 and use film for this to get some really long exposures. What film should I use for this? Would slide film or color negative be the best?

Sorry I can't help you with this one, other than to say to be cognizant of reciprocity failure (see Wikipedia) when using film to do long exposures.

Good luck. I'll keep an eye out for your work.

John