Night shots?

[fastkawasaki454]

What are the best settings for night time shots in a parking lot? I tried some tonight and they were either too dark or the flash just bounced off the pavement. Im using a Rebel XTi.

[CanonXtiDude]

What are the best settings for night time shots in a parking lot? I tried some tonight and they were either too dark or the flash just bounced off the pavement. Im using a Rebel XTi.

Were you using a tripod? Low shutter speed and high iso. get the shot then do post processing in photoshop.

[fastkawasaki454]

Were you using a tripod? Low shutter speed and high iso. get the shot then do post processing in photoshop.

No, I wasnt using a tripod. Is that the only way? And what kind of editing would I have to do? I dont have photoshop so Im very limited to how much I can edit a picture.

[1G2BNVD]

You cant take a night shot without a tripod. And if you're using the built-in flash on the XTi... dont... it will do you no good. Try using Av mode and choose your desired aperture, the camera will automatically set the shutter speed. Also, try to avoid shooting about 400 ISO as you'll get some noise, especially with night shots.
-GP-

[jlozano180]

When I take night pics, I use a tripod, I dont use flash (most of the time) and I set the exposure for a long period of time, so I can get as much light as I can for the picture.

[fastkawasaki454]

Should I keep the white balance on auto?

[Holster]

i use the same camera as you do. i took this with the kit lense. i actualy didnt use a long enough exp time and on a low iso WITH flash. i had to use a lot of editing to get it how i wanted it. this was the first shoot i did with the camera so i didnt know how to set the iso lower. but after i got the hang of editing more i went back and tried to make it better. here you go...

oh and for any static shots a tripod is KEY! its a must have for clear shots. even in daylight i use one just to make sure.

im not trying to thread jack just trying to help! :)

before
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b81/holster87/my%20car%20photos/IMG_0324.jpg

after
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b81/holster87/my%20car%20photos/IMG_0324enhance_jpeg.jpg

[PhotosGuy]

What are the best settings for night time shots in a parking lot? Which angle? How much light do you have at what distance? Is it direct or indirect? Etc., etc...
Even if you thought to tell us, we still wouldn't have much of an idea. Start at something like f/8, ISO 100 & test to get a starting point & work from there.

Then, when you get something you like, compare it with the shots of this car (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=4623556#post4623556) & tell us which looks better? ;)

[fastkawasaki454]

Thanks for the tips guys. Ill try to get some shots tonight if I can.

[VorteC]

If you have a tripod, you can lower the ISO and lower the shutterspeed, that way you can get a shot with less noise.

[saikit]

Is it wise to use low ISO with tripod when there's very little light?

What about flash? is it ok to use external flash?

Is there a way to set the white balance manually for taking shots in the parking lot?

[Holster]

Is it wise to use low ISO with tripod when there's very little light?

What about flash? is it ok to use external flash?

Is there a way to set the white balance manually for taking shots in the parking lot?

whenever possible, you want to use the lowest iso you can get away with. and with a tripod you can just lengthen the exposure to let enough light in. its also good to open up the aperature to let more detail and light in but that means you have to make the exposure even longer. but who cares, you have a tripod so there shouldnt be any camera shake. it makes for better and more detailed pictures in low light.

[PhotosGuy]

What about flash? is it ok to use external flash? Some guys do. I like about 1 in 100 of those. Is there a way to set the white balance manually for taking shots in the parking lot? Yes/No. It's a crapshoot. Usually the lights there aren't full spectrum & you'll still get yellow/orange cars even with Custom WB.
Here's an example of a nice night shot in orange light (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=435280). Might work well with an orange car if you can get enough light on it? ;)

So, IMO it's better to shoot late, but not too late: A few Car Lighting Tips - Updated (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=70290)

[fastkawasaki454]

I got a little practice in tonight... A few turned out ok. They need editing though. I need to buy a better tripod. The one I have is old and a little shakey. C&C please!

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a351/fastkawasaki454/S2k/S2kstaples011.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a351/fastkawasaki454/S2k/S2kstaples013.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a351/fastkawasaki454/S2k/S2kstaples009.jpg

[Village_Idiot]

Looks a little OOF, but not by much.

To use a flash, you'd need at least a speed light, definitely something more than the on camera flash and you'd probably have to fire via a cord or wireless trigger with some other tricks...plus multiple flashes would make it easier.

Just reading several post the other day on a lighting forum really gave me insight to lighting a car.

PhotosGuy has a really good post explaining it too. The easiest and cheapest way for you though is to use a tripod and available light.

Edit: And watch your WB, parking lot lights usually cause a very warm picture.

[fastkawasaki454]

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a351/fastkawasaki454/S2k/S2kstaples013_edited.jpg

[Shasta]

Always shoot in RAW and with a tripod.

[PhotosGuy]

Just for inspiration, here's what I think of when I think "night shot":
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v218/PhotosGuy/2007%20HHR/HHR-2007_0131.jpg?t=1200326961

[bonzi13]

The focusing looks off to me, looks like its on the back wall.

[fastkawasaki454]

Just for inspiration, here's what I think of when I think "night shot":
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v218/PhotosGuy/2007%20HHR/HHR-2007_0131.jpg?t=1200326961

Well thats during sunset. Im trying to get good shots when the only light out is the moon.

[rigshots]

Well thats during sunset. Im trying to get good shots when the only light out is the moon.

Shot by moonlight only, no other fill light of any kind! Exposure was about 6 minutes, reflector used to fill light on the grille.

http://www.johnjovic.com/images/c117.jpg

JJ

[fastkawasaki454]

Shot by moonlight only, no other fill light of any kind! Exposure was about 6 minutes, reflector used to fill light on the grille.

http://www.johnjovic.com/images/c117.jpg

JJ

WOW. Thats and awsome pic. How do you set the exposure so long?

[rigshots]

WOW. Thats and awsome pic. How do you set the exposure so long?

Thanks.
"B" setting on camera and then a camera release such as TC-80N3 or similar.

JJ

[kennys350d]

el cheapo tripod - lower iso - lower shutter speed. nothing special:

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg192/trymefoto/IMG_6146.jpg

[PhotosGuy]

Good job, JJ!

[rigshots]

Good job, JJ!
Thanks PG

[sandpiper]

whenever possible, you want to use the lowest iso you can get away with. and with a tripod you can just lengthen the exposure to let enough light in. its also good to open up the aperature to let more detail and light in but that means you have to make the exposure even longer.

I think you are going to confuse the OP (and others) with this advice. If you open up the aperture to let in more light, you need to use a shorter exposure, not a longer one, to keep the total exposure the same.

Not sure exactly how you mean 'let in more detail', but if you mean greater depth of field so more is sharp, then you need to close up the aperture, not open it.